Puppy name choices usually just have to do with what sounds cute or what fits your puppy or what you find funny or whatever pops into your head. And of course, thats fine. But before you land on a puppy name and stick with it, you need to think about some puppy name considerations.

Here are two important puppy name considerations to keep in mind:

1. Remember that your puppy name needs to be unique to your puppy. When you choose a puppy name that sounds quite similar to some other word that you use, your puppy will be confused. Puppies (and dogs) dont know the meaning of words or names. They just know sounds. They associate sounds with actions or objects.

Because you use your puppys name often, your puppy learns to associate the sound with him. He begins to understand that when you are speaking to him, you use this particular sound, his name.

Female puppy names, for example can sound like some dog training commands. Stacey, for instance, can sound a lot like Stay. Dawn can sound quite a bit like Down.

Be sure you pick a name that wont be confused with some command you plan to give your puppy. Female puppy names are easy to choose without getting to close to a command.

2. Your puppy name must be chosen with the public in mind. Male puppy names that might sound fun at home might not work in public.

For instance, the male puppy name, Boner, might make sense at home because your puppy loves bones, but that word has another meaning in societys sexual vernacular. You might not want to stand in the middle of a park and yell out, Boner!

Keeping these two considerations in mindsimilarity in sound to another word and acceptably used in mixed companyis a good idea when you choose your puppy name

Andrea Rains Waggener, author of Dog ParentingHow to Have an Outrageously Happy, Well-adjusted Canine, offers puppy care help at http://www.puppycarehelp.com.

Trained dogs are welcome almost anywhere because they behave around people and other dogs. They are a pleasure to take for a walk and can be let loose for a romp in the park. They are members of the family in every sense of the word, a good dog should be house trained, come when called, have few bad habits, stay when told, and not pull when taken for a walk.

Before, during, and after training your dog, you must continually built trust with him. One of the commands you will want your dog to learn is to come when called. To be successful, remember this, when your dog comes to you, be nice to him and reward this behavior. No matter what your dog may have done, be pleasant and use a kind word, a pat on the head and a smile. Teach your dog to trust you by being a safe place for him. When your dog is with you, follows you or comes to you, make the dog feel wanted.

When you call a dog to you and then punish, you undermine his trust in you. When your dog comes to you voluntarily and gets punished, the dog associates being punished with coming to you. Whether you are pleased or angry, your dog associates these feelings only with what was done last.

While establishing trust, you must also take charge and lead. Dogs are pack animals and you and your family are now the pack, at least as far as your dogs concerned. No pack can exist without a leader, and its either your or the dog. Few dogs actively seek leadership, and most are content when you assume the role.

Consistency is vital to the success of training. Your dog cannot understand sometimes, maybe, perhaps but he can and does understand yes and no. The more black and white or yes and no you can make it, the easier it will be for your dog to understand what you want. By observing us and studying our habits, dogs learn to anticipate our actions. Since they communicate with each other through body language, they quickly become experts and reading ours.

If you attribute human qualities and reasoning abilities to your dog, your dealings are doomed to failure. Your pet doesnt experience guilt, and blaming the dog because he ought to know better or she shouldnt have done it will not improve behavior. Your pet also does not understand every word you say, and is only able to interpret your tone of voice, and body language. Once trust and understanding are established, training becomes very easy.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://www.joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check them out at http://www.joncopets.com