Dogs are a lot like children. They need stimulation or they will get bored and we all know the trouble children can be when they get bored.

Bored dogs are generally unhappy dogs and they are also the dogs that are most likely to get into trouble with other animals and humans.

The happiest dogs are often the working dogs as they not only have a purpose in life but they also get the praise and regular attention of their owners.

Even simply getting your dog some toys of it's own to play with can add a lot of fun and happiness to it's life, but more importantly getting the dog involved in family activities will have a positive effect on it's mental state and happiness.

Dogs love to be taken for walks or a run along the beach. They get to look at a different environment and interact with strangers and other dogs.

This social interaction is very important for the overall well being of your dog and it is something that needs to be done on a regular basis.

One of the benefits of dog training schools is the fact that your dog will get to interact with other dogs, however training your dog at home also has it's benefits as you will be learning each others personalities when working closely together and your dog will still get the opportunity to socialize with other dogs when you take it for walks in the park and similar activities.

Any time spent with your dog, whether it is training or just enjoying playtime, is great for building a long and happy relationship.

Crate Training

One of the best things you can do for your puppy early in life is crate training. Many people are under the misconception that crate training a puppy is cruel but this is far from the truth. Dogs actually get a lot of benefit from having been crate trained and they generally come to like the fact that they have been crate trained. Many people also assume that crate training is difficult, but this is also far from the truth.

Dogs, naturally avoid soiling the area where they will eat and sleep and this is one of the reasons why crate training is important.

It is essential to take notes of the times when your puppy likes to eat, sleep, and 'go to the toilet' because this will help determine the best times for the crate training. Crate training is not about keeping your dog locked up for extended lengths of time.

Crate training needs to be handled with the care that one would expect from a family member.

You should remember that, done correctly, crate training will enhance the lives of both you and your dog.

There are bound to be mishaps along the way when your puppy might 'mess' in the crate but he/she should not be punished for this, as it is highly unlikely that it would have been intentional.

Crate training is the best method of potty training a puppy by far, so it is well worth doing when they are young to eliminate one area that can be a problem with dogs, as they grow older.

While it might seem that your dog doesn't like crate training initially, (many dogs will fuss, whine and bark when they first start crate training) most crate trained dogs learn to love their crate as their own place, much like children have their favorite blanket for security that they will carry around.

Crate training usually starts with short periods of 10 to 15 minutes slowly building up to two hours as they become more accustomed to their crate.