Your puppy is home. Regardless of breed, they are plump, unsteady on their feet, and inclined to lament in the absence of their mother. Add a gloomy outlook on life with heartrending whimpers, which soon give rise to shrill yells, which 
disturb the family and quite possibly the neighbors.
This is perfectly normal, albeit somewhat undesirable, of eight-week old puppies. Even at this early stage in your dog’s life, you have the opportunity to prove your abilities as a leader and exercise patience, understanding, and self-control as you embark on dog obedience training.
As it is never acceptable to strike your dog, even during these first days in his new home, do not speak harshly and no firm “talking to” or do anything else that will encourage his already gloomy mood. Instead, divert his attention to play, food, and a comfortable place to sleep. Show him your affection and remember to use his name often. Allow the novelty of a new home away from his mother to wear off and the wailing will gradually end.
Big or Small - You Can Train Them All
Training your dog is not unlike raising a child, they are quick to relate to your temperament, and he/she will behave accordingly. Treat your dog gently and know his limitations. Spend as much time as possible with your new puppy studying his reactions to sounds, sights, and the objects he will encounter in his new home. This insight will help you understand his personality and aid in dog training later.
Before you begin a dog training lesson, have your dog training collar and dog training lead also, take note to see if your new pup is timid, take extra care in letting him know he is safe with you allowing him to explore at his own pace and never do anything to further his frightened state. These first weeks (from 8 to 10 weeks old), we call the “Magic Weeks” as they are the most impressionable on your dog.
If your breed of choice is from the more active breeds then most likely, at the age of 9 or 10 weeks, a propensity to worry, tear and chew curtains, shoestrings, and anything else soft and dangling that is within reach. This is a natural process in which your dog is learning about his most valuable assets – his jaw and teeth.
Do not lose your patience while training your dog, instead while catching him in the act; get his attention by using your voice and holding up your finger – say, “No” or “Stop it” firmly. He will drop what he is doing and move on. Provide your new pup with a dog toy he can chew to his heart’s content. This will give him something to direct his mind and help relieve the worry or satisfy boredom.
During these magic weeks and until about four months do not try any real dog obedience training beyond housebreaking. A new puppy’s brain is too under developed to comprehend the why and reason of regular dog training.
Whether your new dog is to be a guardian, a companion, or merely a playmate, training your dog is for their safety as well as the people they will encounter. Fix in your mind firmly these three words: patience, firmness, and common sense. These are the keys to dog obedience training.
Common sense during dog obedience training means establishing trust. Your dog needs to trust in his leader while at play, during dog training, and at rest that he will not be abused physically or mentally, have food to eat and warm place to sleep. Learn your dog’s limits and observe his/her behavior during dog obedience training. You can only train your dog as fast he/she can learn. Trying to train too fast or beyond your dogs ability to learn will only frustrate you and your dog while quite possibly un-doing what successes you have previously accomplished in training your dog, in other words take baby steps to obedience while training your dog.
By following these practices and investing in the appropriate dog training supplies, you can train any dog to be obedient; exercise patience, be firm during dog training, and use some common sense in your methods. By having a well-trained dog, you will truly understand the meaning of “Man’s Best Friend.”
