Posts Tagged ‘Puppy Training’

Tips for Successful Dog Puppy Training

Friday, December 25th, 2009

If you decided to have a pet dog at home, you should know that there are certain responsibilities that a pet owner is required to do. It is not enough that you give your pet food, home, and other necessities. It is equally important for your pet to undergo dog puppy training. You do not need to hire a professional to do this because you can do this by yourself at home with a few simple tips. Read on to learn more.

Hitting your dog and showing it physical aggression will lead both of you to frustration. It is essential that your dog is shown respect and he will show you the same. It’s not a good thing for a dog to have fear and be scared that he will be hit. This will only encourage resentment and negative behavior and when you are training, your dog should be in a very calm and submissive state; not a fearful agitated one.

* Another dog puppy training tip is to give your dog a reward if he did something right. You can give dog treats or biscuits as rewards for a job well done, or a praise said in a kind tone of voice. By doing so, the dog will continue doing the right thing because he is getting something good from doing it.

It is very important to treat your dog like a dog and not like a small toy. I have seen many pet owners dress, cuddle and baby their dogs, which is very unhealthy. Many people do this because dogs have a tendency to be cute and cuddly. Our pets are not there for us to smother them with hugs, but they have basic needs that must be met. They all have distinct personalities as well.

The right dog puppy training is key to having a perfect and happy relationship amongst man and dog working together under the same roof.

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Puppy Training and Potty Training Made Easy!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Potty training your puppy will be the most important thing that you teach him. Showing your puppy that his potty is outdoors is something that should be indicated the minute you get him home. You will need to prepare yourself for a lot of waiting and watching; but with time and patience, you and your puppy will succeed at puppy training.

When you bring your puppy home, you should immediately show him the area where he is to choose his potty. You can hide the potty area from others’ view by putting a fence or plants in pots around the potty area. This also serves to distinguish the area as your puppy’s potty.

“Outside” will be quite an important puppy training command; therefore, this word should be one of the first that you make important to your new buddy. You should use the command “outside” firmly and loudly anytime that he has an accident inside. Then you must quickly get him outside to finish elimination in his potty area. Never forget to praise him for going; this is necessary even in the case of an accident. It reinforces that going “outside” is where he will be using the potty.

Elimination on command can also be taught when puppy training. You can choose whatever word you would like for this command. Constantly keep this word the same for anyone who is taking puppy to the potty. Quick praise should always be lavished on your puppy when he achieves milestones in his puppy training. With time and perseverance, ultimately he will eliminate on command.

It helps some people to keep a diary that records puppy training habits while still in the training process. This will give you a better idea of when your puppy performs all of his functions – sleeping, eating, and going potty. The diary helps to determine when the best times are to take puppy to his potty.

A good thing to do in order to determine exactly when your puppy needs to have potty training is to keep a diary. Here you will record eating, sleeping, and elimination. This will give you a better idea of when to cue puppy that he needs to go outside to use his potty.

Never use punishment when potty training your puppy; for that matter, does not use punishment in any puppy training endeavor. Punishment only confuses and scares your dog. Then he will be likely to have more indoor accidents than before.

Consistent, patient, and loving puppy training will make the process as smooth as possible. It is also likely to reduce the time needed to achieve success in the process. Praise can do wonders in helping the process as well. Your puppy will feel proud when he potties outside because he knows that it makes you proud too. He is doing something good for his mom or dad – getting a treat and extra love is a great reason to go outside to use the potty. Follow these tips and your puppy training and potty training will be successful and quick!

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Dog Clicker Training for Your Puppy or Dog

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Dog Clicker Training, or training a dog with the use of a small clicker, was originally created by a dolphin trainer so that the dolphin could hear the sound while under the water. Since then, many other animal trainers adopted this method and clicker training has been used to train dogs, puppies, fish, elephants and other animals. Dog clicker training is used to teach older dogs as well as young puppies.

A clicker is a simple metal gadget that creates a click sound that does not waver in volume or pitch. It is a quick single sound that animals are not afraid of and can respond to quickly. This type of training is one of the most humane ways to train a dog. It does not hurt the body of the dog or injure the dogs ears. Dog clicker training is used to associate the sound of the clicker with the desired behavior the trainer or owner seeks.

When the dog obeys the trainer, the sound of the click rewards the dog and sometimes a small treat is given simultaneously. Without the click, a treat alone can confuse the dog as it sometimes is not given quickly enough. The dog and especially a puppy can move around and wiggle a lot and thus the dog will not know what it is being rewarded for. Pared with the click, the dog associates the good behavior immediately to the click and not just a treat.

At first, the trainer or owner will start clicker training by rewarding the dog with a click and a small treat for behavior that it is already doing. For example, if the dog is on a leash, and needing to walk slowly beside the owner, a quick click and treat will teach the dog that this behavior is good. If the dog starts to run ahead, or starts to chase a squirrel, the dog is not going to receive a click and a treat until the behavior is calm and walking next to the owner again.

Similarly, if the dog jumps up on the couch or people he would be held back from the clicker sound and the treat. If the dog calms down and waits to see what the trainer is going to do, he would be given a quick click as the calmness is rewarded with the click and treat.

Added to the click, body language and the sound of a command is also used to train dogs in clicker training. All of these methods paired together can bring about a strong sense of command and the puppy can learn at a faster rate.

These methods of using dog clickers help teach the dog good behavior and to reject bad behavior. Chewing and barking are among the negative behavior clicker training can deter. Good habits and happy dogs are not just the responsibility of the dog, but the owner has a responsibility to teach their dog just as one would feel the responsibility to teach their children to be positive members of the community. The dog will grow up happier and healthier too.

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The Best Ways of Crate Training A Dog

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Crate training is one of the most effective ways to train your dog. Some people think this is cruel to pets because it is like keeping them in a cage, or it is a result of an owner neglecting the pet.

If used properly, though, crates provide a sense of security and safety for your dog. They also help with puppy “potty” training and keeping your dog from making a mess of your home when you’re not there.

Small dens have sheltered dogs for time immemorial. Dogs feel safe and protected, and crates recreate this feeling. It is as important for dogs to have their own space as it is for humans.

Crate training allows your dog to develop a sense of security, even when you are not there. Instead of coming home to find evidence of his anxiety on your chewed up shoes, you can find a dog who is happy and well-adjusted. Don’t worry; he’ll still be happy to see you!

Many dogs grow to love their crates and will prefer going in there when you’re gone even if they have the option to stay out. Some even go in when you are home and they need some time alone.

Because dogs are so resistant to soiling their own sleeping area, crates can help with the house training process. If left in their crates for small increments, they will develop greater control over their bladders and bowels. If you have a puppy, remember that they may be too young to hold it, so only keep them in the crate for little stints at a time.

Small puppies do not have the bladder or bowel control to wait for hours to relieve themselves. If you keep them in the crate at night, make sure they have ample exercise and play time. Sticking to a regular walking routine will also help learn to control his bladder and bowels.

A dog crate can be a great tool in training your pet – just never use it for punishment. It can really help your dog feel secure and safe while you’re away.

So how do you get started with crate training?

The first thing you need is a good crate, of course! You can choose from plastic or metal crates depending on your needs and preferences. Whatever the material, make sure to choose one that is just big enough for your dog to turn around in.

If a dog has more space than that, he can create a separate area for going “to the bathroom.” If he has room only for sleeping, the puppy house training process will be much more effective.

How do you get your dog into his crate? Start slowly by placing the crate somewhere that allows your dog to explore without feeling separated from you or your family. He will probably be curious and will want to check it out.

Once he has had a chance to explore a little, urge him to go inside. You can guide him in with a treat or a toy. Food is a good way to get him in because it allows him to form positive associations with the crate.

Once he’s gone in and seems to feel comfortable, close the door. He will probably whine to be let out. This is perfectly normal ? it just means he has to get used to it. It’s like an infant being laid in a crib.

They will whimper because they want to be picked up. If you let your dog out, he’ll continue that behavior. Stand firm and have him stay in there. Don’t let him out until he stops whining. Start with short periods and let him out to play or walk.

At first, if your dog continues whining, you will have to encourage him to get in with a treat. When he is in, sit by the crate for a few minutes. Then go into another room for ten or so minutes.

After a period of about ten minutes, come back into the room. You can sit or stand by the crate to let your dog know you are back. Work on this until you are away for about thirty minutes at a time. He’ll quickly become used to you being gone, and you can put him in his crate when you leave the house.

Dogs are very adaptable, especially when they find something enjoyable. While you may have to work a little to get your dog into his crate, you may find that he really likes it. Many dogs even go in on their own when they want some down time. It is worth it to invest some time now because the benefits are so great for you both.

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Suppressing Leash Aggression And Teaching Your Puppy To Stay

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

You are walking down the street and the next thing you know, your normally loving dog becomes aggressive towards other dogs and people he sees. It?s enough to make you want to keep him inside all the time!

However, there are some ways to deal with leash aggression so you can both get some good quality time and exercise outdoors.

Dogs are like children in many ways. Often you can avoid bad behavior if you redirect their attention. If you see something that usually causes your dog to become aggressive, immediately distract him. Tell him to sit or lie down to keep him busy until the dog or person passes.

Dogs often become very aggressive when they meet other dogs. If your dog does this, it is important that you not physically react when you see a dog on your route. Your dog can pick up on your body signals and will be much more apt to act up. Stay calm and keep the leash firmly in hand without pulling or tensing.

Muzzles and gentle leader harnesses can be useful training tools for dogs who lunge. Gentle leaders are designed to keep a dog from lunging, and muzzles will prevent biting. If you use them, make sure to train your dog at the same time. Don’t plan on relying on these tools indefinitely.

Some dogs will persist at lunging despite your best efforts. If this is the case with your dog, consult with a professional trainer. You don’t want to let the behavior go unchecked; your dog will become a danger to your neighborhood. as well as to himself.

Leash aggression isn’t uncommon, but it is a potentially big problem. Start taking measures to cure your dog of this bad habit before bigger fixes are needed.

Teaching your dog to stay can be an immensely useful command, and it will definitely impress other dog owners. As always, use treats and praise to help you teach.

To learn to stay, your dog first needs to know how to sit and/or lie down. When he masters this, staying is the next step. Begin by telling him to sit or lie down. As he does this, put your hand out and say, “Stay.” Make sure you use a firm yet calm voice.

When your dog stays, praise him immediately. Likely your dog will only be able to stay for a second or two at first. This is great; it’s a terrific beginning, and he will be able to do it for longer periods as he practices.

As he progresses, teach him when it is time to move. Many people say “Come” or “Ok” to release their dogs. Again, make sure to praise him and give him a reward – this makes the training process much easier and quicker.

As you work with your dog, you can lengthen the time your dog stays. Demand a little more each time before you give him his treat.

Optimal training should last about five to ten minutes at a time. Any more than that will strain your dog’s attention span and counteract your efforts.

Any longer and your dog will feel like he’s in a marathon ? he’ll get tired, cranky, and won’t want to listen. At first, you may have to repeat, “Stay,” often to remind your dog, especially if they’re excited about their treat.

Soon, your dog will be able to stay even if you leave the room. Even if you phase out the treats, remember to praise your dog for this accomplishment.

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Keeping Your Dog From Digging And Dog Clicker Conditioning

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Dogs have a lot of lovable natural qualities, but they also have some not-so-cute behaviors. Digging is one of the latter, but it can persist as they bury bones, create impromptu shelters, and just feel the dirt between their paws.

While it is a natural instinct in dogs, digging can be detrimental to your yard and to your dog’s discipline. How can you get your living breathing shovel to stop?

The first step in stopping your dog from digging is to determine why he is doing it in the first place. As mentioned earlier, some dogs just love it.

There are reasons why your dog may dig in your yard: he may need more exercise and stimulation. He may be hoarding food or trying to cool off or stay warm in the ground. He may be trying to investigate the smell of fertilizer or fresh dirt.

If you have determined that your dog needs more stimulation and is digging as a way of getting attention, you can attack the problem by offering him more opportunities for exercise and interaction.

If that doesn’t help, your dog may have developed a digging habit! The following suggestions can help:

1. Dogs can often be deterred from undesirable behavior if there is an unpleasant consequence. Try burying a balloon in your dog’s frequent digging spots. Once he pops one balloon, he may be over his habit.

2. When you refill the holes, add in some of your dog’s own feces. The next time he digs there, he will be repelled by it. This may not be a fun way for you to teach your dog, but it is effective and humane.

3. Try burying some chicken wire just below the surface where your dog likes to dig. When your dog pits the wire with his paws, he?ll hate the sensation and stop digging.

4. If you catch your pet in the act of digging, spray him with a water bottle or hose. Dogs hate this (but it is not harmful). They’ll get the message. Do not, however, spray him if you don’t catch him actively engaging in digging. If you do, he won’t understand why he’s being punished.

You love your pet; you don’t have to love his bad habits too. If digging is a problem, take immediate steps to correct your dog’s behavior. He’ll be happy, and your yard will thank you.

Another Great Way to Modify Your Dogs Behavior – Training With Clickers

The use of clickers in dog training has increased in recent years. It is a gentle way to condition your dog to repeat good behavior.

Operant conditioning is the repetition of a behavior when a reward is given. This is the premise behind clicker training. How does it work?

You will need a clicker. This is simply a hand held plastic box. A metal strip is attached. Depressing the strip causes a sharp click.

When you first start click training, you pair the click with a reward, such as a dog biscuit. When the dog performs a command well, you click immediately and offer the treat.

The dog learns to associate the click with the behavior and the click with the treat, which makes it more likely that he?ll repeat it. Soon, just the click will be enough, and eventually, it can be phased out altogether.

Clicking is immediate. Dogs need to know exactly what they are being praised for, and the clicking sound helps let them know. This is why the clicker method is so effective for training.

Trying the clicker method can lead to more effective, quicker training. It works with your dog?s natural urge to please you and earn a reward.

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Learn To House Train Your Rebellious Yorkie!

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Certain breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers may need a little extra TLC when it comes time to housebreak them. House training puppies can be tough work, but well worth the time and effort invested. With the smaller breeds sometimes it takes a wee bit longer to develop perfect potty habits.

You should begin by first determining if the potty spot will be located inside the home or outside. People who live in condos and apartments tend to favor Yorkies since they don’t need much space. You might find that your Yorkie prefers an indoor potty if he is resistant to going outside during cold weather. Another consideration to remember is that these dogs have small bladders, so they can only hold so much! if you are regularly out of the house each day for more than a few hours, you cannot expect your dog to be able to control his bladder for extended periods of time. In this case, choose a discreet area of your home for the puppy training pads. Otherwise, any small strip of grass should do the trick, as long as you use that same spot all the time.

Starting and ending the walk with an opportunity to go potty is the best approach until you begin to understand your little one?s potty schedule. Always use the very same spot for the toilet if possible, as it helps develop a familiar routine, and the smell of urine is a strong indicator to your Yorkie that this is the toilet. Keep your neighborhood clean by always taking litter bags (baggies work just fine) to clean up any little messes left behind. It’s fine if your Yorkie happens to go while you are out on the walk, this is not considered an “accident” since it didn’t happen on the floor or other unwanted area.

Sometimes dogs avoid going outside in bad weather and then will have an accident in a discreet location indoors. A sweater is a great way to address that situation and make going out in poor weather more tolerable. Otherwise, an indoor backup location may be needed.

Don’t be afraid to heap lots of praise and affection on your puppy in order to help him learn proper potty habits quickly. Verbal praise should be given immediately and enthusiastically after they are done with their business. A favored treat such as a small piece of cooked chicken or dried liver offered as a reward may give him just the incentive needed!

Anywhere from a week to a month house training a dog is common, and for Yorkies it could be a little longer, so have patience with your little one! If you want to develop a great relationship with your Yorkshire Terrier, learning how to train a puppy is the best thing you can possibly do.

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Simple Obedience Techniques for Puppies

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Getting a puppy is an exciting time for both the family and the puppy. When a puppy comes into a home, it will be exposed to a variety of new sights, sounds, and places to explore. This can be a very overwhelming and stressful time for the little critter. It is important for the owner to help the puppy adjust and become a well-behaved adult dog. This will involve teaching it to listen to your commands and desensitizing it to new stimuli.

Most puppy behavior experts say the critical learning period for a puppy is up to the age of sixteen weeks. The following are a few simple obedience techniques for training your puppy during this period:

1. Positive reinforcement is a key tool to obedience training. Punishing your puppy will only teach it to fear you and act aggressively to others. Using positive reinforcement as a reward is an essential part of teaching your puppy to be obedient. This can include a food reward, affectionate attention, and a toy as a reward. Praise will make a dog feel loved and more secure.

2. It is important that your puppy becomes desensitized to new environments. Take it for short walks through the streets to help him get use to the new sights, sounds, and people.

3. Reward positive behavior and ignore unwanted behavior during puppy training. Ignore such unwanted behavior as barking, pulling the leash when walking, and jumping on you. Just stand there until it stops and then continue on with the regular routine. When your puppy performs a wanted behavior such as walking next to you or sitting quietly, reward it with praise or a puppy treat. Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement training that acknowledges that the dog has behaved properly. The “click” sound acknowledges the good behavior. The “click” sound is made as soon as the puppy performs the wanted behavior. As soon as you make the “click” sound, you can reward the puppy with a treat or praise.

4. In order to ensure your puppy does not grow to be an aggressive dog around children, you have to socialize it with children at an early age. When the puppy is around children, praise and reward calm behavior. Allow the puppy to be touched by one child at a time, and don?t force it to be touched as this will only instill fear.

5. A car drive can be a scary time for a puppy. They can vomit, drool, or urinate. Your car should be a comfortable and fun place with familiar items such as its favorite toys and blanket. Take it for a short drive at first and then gradually increase driving time.

6. To teach your puppy to sit, get him to stand in front of you. Show the puppy the treat and let it smell the treat. Move the treat from his front to his hind end. As he watches the treat move to the back end, you should put the treat closer to the floor. The puppy should automatically sit its hind end down. When it does, immediately reward it with the treat and praise.

When properly training your puppy, the reward will not only be a well behaved dog, but you will have a loving and loyal friend.

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Puppy Guiding: Clues and Instruction Methods For the Select 4 Puppy Discipline Struggles

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Puppy Instruction: Housebreaking is a matter of you keeping track of your dog around the house and looking for hints they may need to go out and potty.

-Unless you are crate training your puppy, they will most likely be allowed to roam the house. So I’m not suggesting you follow your puppy around all day, just be sure you know where they are and keep track of how long it’s been since they’ve eaten or had drink of water, and how long ago it was you took them out.

- Develop a schedule for taking the puppy outside until it learns to tell you in someway that they need to go out. This will eventually happen, even in the most hard-headed of breeds.

Puppy Training: HELP!! My Puppy is GNAWING ON EVERYTHING!!

-This is actually so simple to fix. Go to your local pet supply store or walmart, kmart, or wherever and buy your puppy a chew toy. A chew toy that squeaks or makes a noise when bitten, is best for puppy training.

-The best way to let your puppy know that they are not supposed to chew on anything except their new toy would be to either, catch them in the act, firmly tell them “no”, and give them their toy to chew on. The other way to train your puppy would be to sit with them in the floor and put something in front of them that they have been caught previously chewing on, along with their new toy. When they begin to chew on the item they were previously chewing on, firmly tell them “no”, take that item away, and give them the toy. Repeat this process several times and you will almost immediately begin to see results. Eventually, they won’t even think about chewing on anything but their toy.

Puppy Training: Taking Your Puppy for a Walk

-The first thing to remember about leash training should be common sense to most people, be sure to choose the right size collar for your size puppy.

-Today, retractable leashes are a valuable tool in training your puppy. Using a retractable leash will allow you to control where you want your puppy to walk when you eventually are able to walk them without the leash. Just be sure when you are doing your puppy training you remember not to pull to hard on the leash. Have patience when training your puppy and realize it’s a journey, that after a while allows your puppy training to become a success.

Puppy Training: An Aggressive Puppy is a Happy Puppy, WHAT ABOUT ME?!

- If your puppy is too aggressive, don’t worry, this is fixable with a simple training method I picked up years ago when I was just a kid. First, stop playing aggressively with your puppy immediately. Then, next time they begin to get aggressive, immediately begin to ignore them as much as possible, and reward them when they settle down.

- Jumping up on visitors or even other family members is an inconvenient aspects of life when living with a puppy. This is one of those aggressive temperaments I mentioned above. So simply keep repeating those steps, and your puppy will begin to understand how you expect them to act in every instance.

These 4 puppy training methods are simple enough, yes, but if you do not consistently implement these methods with your puppy, you will never have a puppy that grows up to be the model dog we all want. A dog that listens when you talk, that will stay beside you when you take them for a walk, and respect you as their pack leader. Dogs are pack animals and they will only obey you if they see you as their pack leader, and by following the steps above your puppy will soon grow to recognize you as their pack leader.

About The Author: Daniel Stevens is a puppy training expert who has been training puppies for decades. Daniel has become an authority on puppy training and has been involved, hands on, training thousands of puppies all over the world. Daniel’s Secrets to Dog Training’s elite info has successfully helped over 216,221 dog owners with their puppy training, and solve their dog’s discipline dilemmas.

Puppy Training and Puppy Play – the Importance of Socialization

Monday, June 8th, 2009
training is often considerably easier than training an adult or adolescent dog. One reason is that the puppy is essentially a “blank slate”, untroubled by past training techniques and other issues. Another more indirect reason is that you are probably more likely to spend more time and have greater patience with your new puppy than you would after the “novelty” has worn off somewhat. And it tends to be human nature to have greater patience with young (dogs and people), since we know that they’re inexperienced in life and they’re usually eager to learn.

In other ways, however, the puppy can be a little more difficult to train than an older dog. One challenge to training a new puppy is that puppies are more easily distractible than older dogs. Everything is new to a puppy, and every new experience provides a new chance for distraction. For this reason, it is best to keep training sessions short when working with a puppy, and to end each training sessions on a positive note.

It is also important to allow the puppy plenty of time to play, and to interact with other puppies and dogs. Socialization training is vital to making your new puppy a good canine citizen, as dog aggression is a growing problem in many areas. A properly socialized dog learns how to play properly with other dogs, and overly aggressive play is punished by the other dogs in the play group.

This type of play learning is something that happens among siblings in litters of puppies. As the puppies play with each other, they learn what is appropriate and what is not. Inappropriate behavior, such as hard biting or scratching, is punished by the other puppies, by the mother dog, or both.

Failure to properly socialize can be a major problem with your dog, and it is an important reason for always buying from a responsible breeder, and never taking your puppy home before he is 8 weeks of age. A large proportion of this important socialization experience occurs in those last weeks with the puppy’s mother and siblings.

A responsible and experienced breeder knows this, and will never allow prospective puppy owners take puppies home until 8 weeks of age, but it is nevertheless a very important and useful fact to be aware of yourself.

Unfortunately, many puppies are removed from their mothers and sold or adopted before this socialization has fully occurred. In these instances, even more than ever, puppy play sessions initiated by you are a very important part of any puppy training session. Most good puppy preschool training programs provide time in each session for this type of dog interaction.

Introducing your puppy to new experiences and new locations is also an important part of puppy training. Teaching your dog to be obedient and responsive, even in the face of many distractions, is very important when training dogs and puppies.

One great way to socialize your puppy both to new people and new dogs is to take it on a trip to your local pet store. Many major pet store chains, and some independent ones as well, allow pet parents to bring their furry children, and these stores can be great places for puppies to get used to new sights, sounds and smells. Of course you will want to make sure the store allows pets before heading over, and you will also want to keep the visits fairly short, both for your puppy’s sake, and in consideration of the pet store personnel.

It is important for puppy owners to structure their pet’s environment so that the puppy is rewarded for good behaviors and not rewarded for others. One good example of this is jumping on people. Many people inadvertently reward this behavior because it can be cute. While it is true that jumping can be cute for a 10 pound puppy, it will not be so cute when that puppy has grown into a 100 pound dog.

Laughing at your puppy, or paying any attention to him at all when he jumps up, will be interpreted as a reward by your puppy – he will learn that he will receive attention from you when he does this. So be very careful not to confuse your puppy. There are two strategies for undesired behaviors – firmly saying “No” to your puppy, and/or ignoring the behavior completely. For “repeat offenders”, the ignoring method works best, as it is possible that your puppy will be interpreting ANY attention (even you saying “No” to him) as a reward for the behavior.

Conversely, of course, good behaviors should be rewarded immediately (either with treats or simply with lots of attention and fuss – saying “Good boy” in a very positive tone of voice, and stroking your dog at the same time is often just as well received as treats are). This type of positive reinforcement will result in a well behaved adult dog that is a valued member of both the family and the community at large.

The positive reinforcement method can also be used in potty training the new puppy. Teaching a puppy to use a unique surface such as gravel or asphalt is a good technique. The theory is that the puppy will associate this surface with going potty, and therefore be reluctant to use other surfaces (like your kitchen carpet for example) as a potty. Many puppies can, with a little patience, be readily trained to use the same spot for toileting. This is a great technique, as it will train your puppy to go “on command”, and will save you having to scour the back yard when cleaning up after your puppy.



By: Brigitte Smith

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