As awesome as it is to own a dog (and we all know it really is awesome!) one thing you need to understand before you become a dog owner is the fact that training a dog will take a fair amount of time and effort.
 
Obviously when training your dog to respond to commands, initially you’ll start with the basics, i.e., sit, stay, down, and come, but as your dog becomes more responsive you may want to take things a step further.
 
Dog commands don’t necessarily have to be voice commands, they can be hand signals or even a combination of the two.
 
To help you train your dog to be more responsive and obedient you might want to go with more advanced commands, which is what we’re going to look at today.
 
Here are 3 advanced commands for your dog that are sure to impress.
 
Speak
 
There are a number of reasons to teach your dog to ‘speak’ and while it would be awesome if you could teach your dog to actually speak, the speak that we’re referring to today will come in the form of a bark.
 
Whether you want to teach your dog to bark on cue simply as a cute dog trick, or perhaps for safety reasons like a warning, or to alert other people that something is amiss, if you invest the time in teaching your dog to bark on command, he or she will pick it up quicker than you think.
 
To get your dog to speak, repeat the command over and over until he or she barks, when they do, reward them with a treat and plenty of attention and repeat over and over.
 
Eventually, when you give the speak command, your dog will be bark when asked.
 
Leave it
 
Next up, the “leave it” command is one you will want to teach your dog for safety reasons.
 
Dogs are inquisitive animals and will often go exploring things which they really shouldn’t be near.
 
It could be that your dog is sniffing around a dead animal, or something more dangerous such as a live venomous creature which is where the leave it command will prove so useful.
 
To teach this command, begin by placing an item of food that your dog isn’t fond of on the floor and ensure your dog is paying attention to it.
 
Next, give the “leave it” command and cover the item to ensure your dog can’t get near to it.
 
Soon it will lose interest. You should repeat this process over and over until your dog is familiar with the command and knows to leave things alone when it hears it.
 
Bring it
 
If you want to teach your dog to bring you items, such as an early morning newspaper for example, “bring it” is a great command.
 
Give your dog something to hold in its mouth, and then give the command and beckon for your dog to come.
 
When it does and releases the item, you can reward him or her with their favorite treat.
 
Some dogs have natural retrieval instincts such as Golden Retrievers – hence the name, which is why they’ll likely master this command quicker than other dogs.

Okay, so the time has come for you to finally become the proud owner of a new doggy.
 
Owning a dog is life changing, there’s no way around it. Dogs are loyal, they make great pets, they make even better companions, and for a lot of people, they make life complete.
 
One of the best things about dogs is the fact that, like humans, they come in all shapes and sizes, with a whole variety of different personalities to match. As a result, different people will have different preferences when it comes to dogs.  Some prefer large breeds, some prefer small breeds, and some prefer one particular breed.
 
Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are both hugely popular dog breeds, which is why, today, we’re looking at whether a Golden Retriever or a German Shepheard would be right for you.
 
German Shepherds
 
As you can probably guess by their name, German Shepherds were initially bred in Germany to herd sheep.
 
People often assume that, because they are similar in terms of size and appearance to wolves, that they are an older breed of dog when in reality they’re actually fairly new.
 
In the US, they are currently believed to be the 2nd most popular breed of dog, second only to Labrador Retrievers.
 
Appearance
 
In terms of size, German Shepherds are fairly large dogs, and can vary in weight, averaging between 48 and 88 pounds. As far height goes, you can expect a German Shepherd to grow to anything from 22 inches to 24 inches.
 
As far as their markings and coats go, typically German Shepherds will be primarily black and brown colours, with hints of red and a black saddle over the back and a black mask on the face.
 
Temperament
 
German Shepherds are generally very friendly dogs, though they can be protective over their territory.
 
They’re very obedient dogs and are easy to train, which is why they are also used in the police and the military.
 
German Shepherds have the potential to generate more power and pressure from a bite than a Pitbull, but despite this, they are very good natured dogs, though it is wise not to anger them.
 
As they are athletic, they do need to be walked and exercised regularly, and by regularly we mean at least once per day, though ideally two 30-minute walks are even better.
 
Golden Retrievers
 
Up next, we’ll take a look at Golden Retrievers.
 
Golden Retrievers are generally very intelligent dogs that have sporting backgrounds and were initially bred in Scotland.
 
These dogs were bred by gamekeepers up on the Highlands and moors of Scotland to help them to retrieve waterfowl that they had hunted and killed.
 
Though people aren’t 100% certain, these dogs are likely a mix of Irish setters, Newfoundlands, and Tweed Water Spaniels.
 
Appearance
 
Golden Retrievers are large dogs and usually weigh between 65 and 75 pounds.
 
Interestingly, despite being called ‘Golden’ Retrievers, they come in different colours, usually consisting of red gold, cream, dark gold, and of course, gold.
 
The dogs can get thick and shaggy, which is why they will need to be brushed regularly, or else they will shed a lot of fur, especially during the warmer months.
 
Temperament
 
Golden Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train and are incredibly friendly and confident.
 
They’re good natured dogs that are very trusting and are ideal family pets, though not so great as guard dogs.
 
Typically, these dogs also love the water, so if you want fun ideas for things to do, days out at the beach or lake in the summer will go down an absolute treat.

​Owning a dog is one of the most enjoyable, rewarding, and exciting things you could ever wish for.  When you own a dog, you don’t just own a pet, you expand your family and find a companion to share your life with and go on all kinds of adventures with.  Whether you raise your dog from a puppy or adopt him later on in his life, having a well-trained dog that knows and responds to all manners of different commands can make life so much easier for the both of you.
 
If you’re looking to train your dog here’s a look at 4 basic commands you should teach him or her:
 
Sit
 
First and foremost, this is almost certainly one of the most common basic commands for your dog and it is one of the easiest to teach them as well.  When you tell a dog to “sit” you’re instructing them to do exactly that on command. Because it is a one syllable word that is short and concise, your doggy will also hear and understand it perfectly.  Tell your dog to sit, repeat the command until they do, and when they do, reward them with a treat and plenty of positive reinforcement.  Before you know it, your dog will be sitting on command.
 
Stay
 
Another very simple but effective command to teach your dog is “stay”.  Just like “sit” this is a simple command for your dog to hear and understand.  Again, one of the best ways to teach your dog to stay is to repeat the command after telling them to sit. If they move and try to follow, start over until they remain seated.  As before, one of the best ways to encourage them to stay and to learn quicker is to reward them with treats and a great deal of positive reinforcement.
 
Come
 
Another very important basic command you should teach your dog as soon as you can, is to come.  The key to making this command a success and getting them to master it as quickly as possible is to ideally start teaching them from a young age. Now, you can train a dog at any age usually, but as a pup, they will learn much quicker.  The reason it is easier for puppies to learn this command is because they prefer to follow their owners around anyways.  This command is best taught with somebody else present, as you should get your dog to sit, and have the other person kneel down and gently hold the pup and prevent them from trying to race to you.  Take a few steps away and then enthusiastically use their name, followed by the command ‘come’. You could even motion with your arms and perhaps slap your thighs.  Once they come to you, it’s time for plenty of nose boops and tasty treats as a reward!
 
Lay down
 
Finally, this command is useful for times when you want a break from playing, or for when your woofer is too tired and needs a break.  Try holding a treat in your hand and then placing your hand flat on the ground with the treat trapped underneath. To get to the treat, eventually your dog will lie down.  As soon as your dog lays down, give them the treat and plenty of fuss and repeat as necessary.  Eventually, your dog will lie down on command without the need for a treat.

They say that dogs are man’s best friend, and if you’ve ever been lucky enough to own a dog yourself, you’ll know exactly why that is. But once you make the decision to raise a puppy, you need to resign yourself to the fact that doing so if not going to be a simple process. As fantastically cute and cuddly as puppies are, they are a real handful to raise and in order to bring them up properly you will need to begin training them virtually right away.
 
When training a puppy, there is a heck of a lot to consider that goes above and beyond telling them to “sit” and “stay” and encouraging them to use a puppy training mat to do their business.
 
Here’s a look at 4 proven puppy training tips to make your life a little easier:
 
Choose a suitable name
 
Just like for us, a name for a dog is an identity and when it comes to puppy training tips, it pays to choose a suitable name as that is where training starts and ends. Your dog’s name is their identity and what they will respond to for the rest of their life. You can of course, name them whatever you like, but dog trainers recommend short names which end with a strong consonant as that way you can pronounce the name clearly and your dog will hear it clearly and respond accordingly.
 
Word association and reward
 
This is perhaps one of the most common puppy training tips you’ll learn about today, but it is common for a reason and that reason is that it works. To help train your four-legged friend, use word association with rewards for positive actions. If you want to train your doggo to sit on command for example, once they master the art of sitting down when you tell them to “sit”, make sure you reward them with plenty of fuss and tasty doggy treats. Dogs are fast learners and soon they’ll associate the “sit” command with getting a treat and some attention, and they will of course be more than happy to oblige.
 
Set up their private space
 
Just like you have your own bedroom and getaway space, so too should your puppy. Once you have your puppy, you’ll need to set up a private area for them to sleep and relax. The last thing you want is to leave them to sleep anywhere in the house, as this means they’ll have no real routine. Either choose a spare bedroom or a section of the house and place your dog’s bed in there, making sure that their water is also close by. Remember, dogs are not cats. They love routines so when they know it’s time for bed they’ll know to retreat to their private space for sleepy times.
 
Be patient
 
Finally, the last puppy training tip we’re looking at today is to simply be patient with your pup. Remember, puppies are still infants and as they’re full of energy they’ll want to play and explore. Therefore, you need to ensure that you don’t grow exasperated if your puppy struggles to pay attention to you when you’re trying to teach them to sit and stay.
 
They’ll get there, you just need to take your time and be patient.

​As cute, cuddly, friendly and affectionate as they are, some dogs can be dangerous if not trained properly. Generally, a dog should be relaxed, good natured, inquisitive, and affectionate. Occasionally, however, a dog may show aggressive behaviour, either towards other dogs, creatures, people, or even their owners. This is not ok, and will need rectifying as soon as possible.
 
Dogs, even smaller dogs, can be quite dangerous when they bite and become aggressive, and in extreme cases, the results could be catastrophic. Like most things in life, the solution lies in identifying the warning signs early, and acting accordingly.
 
Here’s a look at a few possibly reasons why your dog may be showing aggressive behavior, and what you can do to make things right.
 
Injury or illness
 
Nobody knows your dog better than you, and if your dog is suddenly showing signs of aggressive behavior such as growling, showing their teeth, and even biting or snapping, it could be caused by illness or injury. In dogs, pain is a very common cause of aggression, so if your dog is being aggressive, especially when they’re trying to move and be physically active, it could be that he or she is suffering from an injury. Illness could be another culprit which is why you should take your four-legged friend to the vets if they’re behaving out of character.
 
Fear
 
Dogs, and indeed any other animal for that matter, will become aggressive if they are in fear, especially if trapped for example. If your dog is behaving aggressively towards you, other people, or other creatures, it could be that he or she is afraid. Dogs can become scared of all kinds of different things, but if he or she is being aggressive, try to identify what it is that is causing it.
 
If you notice that loud noises are causing the aggression, it could be that they’re afraid of loud noises, in which case you can look into additional training to help them to better cope with their fears.
 
Possessiveness
 
Possessiveness is another common cause of aggression in dogs, and this is something that really needs rectifying as quickly as possible. Some dogs will become possessive of their owners, their food, or other items. When this occurs, dogs may become aggressive towards other people or creatures that come close to the items or people causing the dog to become possessive, and the dog may even attack. A very common example of possessiveness in dogs is for them to become aggressive towards strangers coming into your home, as this is also the dog’s home and therefore his or her territory.
 
To display dominance
 
Finally, dominance is another common cause of aggression in dogs. Sometimes dogs will become aggressive in a bid to appear dominant, usually towards other dogs but sometimes towards other people too. Dominance is a behavior, rather than a personality trait which indicates that dogs that try to appear aggressive are doing so to prove a point and to prove that they run the show.
 
The good news is that if your dog is showing aggressive behavior, our team at Wonder Dogs OC is here to help!  Just give us a call and we will set you up with an initial consultation with one of our experienced trainers. We will diagnose the cause of the aggression and formulate a training to rectify it in no time.