It's wonderful that you're thinking things through ahead of time and great that you plan to adopt a shelter dog who needs a home. Even if you have never trained a dog before, you can learn. The obedience classes are for YOU the owner, and that's where YOU will learn to train your pup. The real training of the pup happens at your home one step at a time. Don't feel that because you have never had a dog before you are less capable than others to train your dog. You are in fact in a BETTER position because you don't know the ineffective or damaging ways to train your pup...and can instead learn and implement the most effective ways to train. Many folks believe that because they grew up with dogs they know everything there is to know about dogs and they don't keep up with new findings on the most effective ways to train. That's why we still see folks who advocate cumpulsive training methods instead of positive and motivational training. Please avoid so-called 'puppy camps.' You need to be involved in the training, and will have no idea what methods will be used when you leave. The shock collars and negative methods will come out as soon as you leave. Why else would they not want you around? Plus you want your dog to bond with you and learn together. Training isn't a two week thing, it's a lifestyle. Most dogs thrive with ongoing training. GOOD trainers know that they are training YOU not the dog, that training continues for the life of the dog, and that you must be involved and working with the dog or any training they've done won't last. Short cuts used at these puppy camps can traumatize the dog and affect learning and confidence or even damage the dog. Here's a link to the most recent article I've seen on this type of trainer: http://www.kcra.com/r-video/26395882/detail.html Please keep learning and reading. I've attached a link to the APDT site which has a lot of good info on training, including the reasons why food based positive training is most effective. There's also information on selecting a trainer. Remember that anyone can call themselves a trainer, so be sure to check credentials, and look for CPDT and APTD certified. Observe a class before you sign up and run the other way if you see pictures of shock collars and prong collars on any trainers website. These are damaging tools, and there are so many skilled trainers out there who really do know how to train without use pain as a motivator. Here is a link that might be useful: APTD

You can use a squirt bottle. Whenever the puppy goes beyond what you want, squirt her. She won't even know where it came from, but it usually makes them stop because they are so surprised. I have an 8 year old dog with lymphoma and just brought in 2 new male dogs. I've done it to the boys and I even did it when the female started teasing one of the boys. She is not healthy enough for him to fight back with all of his energy, so before he could retaliate, I squirted both of them in one shot. I'd never tried this on the female because she arrived pretty well trained at 11 months old. Her reaction appeared to be "What?? That was spooky! Lets go in the other room - this one leaks." And she forgot all about teasing the younger dog with the toy she had.

I have to say that stepping on a dog's toes is not smart- not that anyONE person is not smart, just the act. First of all, how can you control not stepping too hard on a jumpy dog's little toes? There are fine bones down there that could get snapped so easily. I have a Border Collie and Husky and when you correct them, they don't stand still, they kinda skitter around and cower. Even barefooted I'd hurt them trying to get to their feet, LOL! Both of our dogs are so obedient, but the Husky sasses. :) He KNOWS who the alpha is in the house, but he always would yip back after we corrected him with "NO BITE!" then he'd turn tail and run. It was so comical, but forcing the head down is the only thing that stops him from nipping. Blessings, Haley

I was wondering what is crating? I could mean different things to different people. As a short term ( couple of hours) home while a person is away. Maybe a night time sleep area. That's what crating is to me. It would be cruel to crate up a dog or cat all day, everyone knows that but how to you crate a puppy learning to potty outside? I've heard of too many dogs going potty in their crates that have been left in to long. That's not a good owner either. Several of my friends use the crate as I stated above. I hope they have never forced a dog to hold it for the sake of a clean floor. I know I have to go when I have to go. A few hours of holding pee is not healthy nor would it make me happy, so I can't see it would be good for my pet either. Limiting water consumption in the evening might be beneficial. Of course going to the bathroom right before bed. Puppies can't seem to hold it well at night and if they wait in their crate to long, well that can't be healthy. I used to get up, about 4 am and let the pups out to go. Like a new parent, it was hard to keep up! I've had big and little dogs and the littlest ones were always the hardest to potty train and feed. Currently I have two smaller dogs inside and the smallest can only eat regular dry dog food or she throws up or worse. In tiny amounts she can eat turkey, beef, veggies and rice/pasta. Now on the other hand my mom will make her tiny dog, food and keep it in the fridge until she needs it. Works for them but I do think the dry dog food is better for teeth. I think your going to have to find out how your dogs works and go with that. Every dog breed has its quirks, as every dog does too. Teach her ques and repeat your commands so she will quickly know what your asking of her. It doesn't take long to learn her name but the potty command, that always takes longer than we want. :)