Of course, these tips are just the beginning. A thorough training program that develops a bond between you and your puppy is the key to a happy, well-behaved dog. Fortunately, there are legitimate training methods and shortcuts that really work. Over the years I have trained several hundred pure and mixed breeds for obedience, general companionship, tracking, and some rescue work. I’ve seen some great dogs with bad owners who didn’t know how to communicate with their dogs. I am writing these articles for two reasons. First, I am physically unable to do what I loved to do… train dogs. Second, I want to help educate the average dog owner on how to properly communicate and work with their future best friend…his friend.

It’s not long after you work with your dog that they bond and they become your best friend. Think about it. You’ve been at work all day, you’re tired, and you still have to fight traffic to get home. The days of June Cleaver and the kids running to the door to greet you when you come home are no more, but your best friend greets you. In fact, it’s a genuine greeting as well. The loss of your best friend is unnecessary and disastrous. After doing all that puppy research, you bring him home from the breeder or you found the cutest “pet” in the kennel. However, human emotional thinking kicks in and people decide to have a baby shower for him/her and the new furry friend is inundated with tons of toys. Everyone is excited when the newcomer squashes a squeaky toy or shakes a toy that contains jingling bells.

ACTION: Remove all of these “unapproved” dog toys right now and throw them away. I don’t know what the statistics are on puppy choking deaths, but I have witnessed one dog, a yellow labrador, choke to death on a cute toy containing a bell. The lab had chewed through the plastic toy exposing the bell only to drown a few hours later. So unnecessary!

I’ll be a little easier on you for the next tip. If you follow this next tip, you will thank me again and again.

You will save hundreds if not thousands of dollars in veterinary bills by taking this initiative. At some point you will need to do one or all of the following with your dog. You’ll want to take his temperature, give him medication, check or clean his teeth, trim his toenails regularly, check his ears for infections, or give him a bath after a skunk sprays him. No matter what task you’re facing for your pet’s well-being, you don’t want a cranky, twisted, uncooperative brat making your job nearly impossible.

ACTION – Take some quiet time with your dog EVERY day. While you’re both lying on the floor, I want you to gently touch him all over. This does not have to be done in one sitting. You could start a day by touching him between the toes of his front paws. Having been accepted for doing that, say three days later, touch it between the toes on the hind legs. The ultimate goal is to get him to agree to you sticking your fingers in his mouth, ears, genital areas, etc. End each contact session of the day with a light brushing as a reward. I don’t believe in giving food as a reward. Remember that this is not a game or a crazy session. You should always be in control. If he wants to play, you must discourage him.

Well, the last piece of advice… like the first, is about your dog’s safety.

This product, if left for the dog to drink, will mean almost instant death. Due to its sweetness, dogs love it and drink it all. It’s called “antifreeze”. For people who live in colder climates, almost everyone has it in their garage. The product is used to prevent the water in your vehicle’s hose from freezing. Often, a tray of antifreeze is left on the garage floor after winterizing your car.

If this product is not stored in a container and properly labeled and sealed, you could be exposing your dog to unnecessary disaster.

As I mentioned before, these small and easy preparations to build a solid foundation with your dog will save you a lot of hassle and money. But if you’re like me, money would mean absolutely nothing to save my dog’s life. Losing my dog ​​to something that could have been prevented would haunt me forever. Thanks, I hope I helped someone.