The Of Puppy Training - University Of Kansas

TheOfPuppy TrainingBy Sheila McNerney

Table of ContentsTable of Contents . 1Introduction . 2Preparing for Puppy . 3Where Will the Puppy Sleep . 3What Will You Feed Her . 3Is Your Home Puppy Proof. 3Who Will Check on Your Puppy . 3Early Puppy Training . 4Potty Training . 4Paper Training . 4Routines . 4To Crate or Not to Crate . 5Crate Location . 5Introducing the Crate . 5Leash Training . 6Preferred Collars and Leashes . 6Becoming the Boss . 7Do’s and Don’ts for Establishing Dominance. . 7Basic Commands . 8“Sit!” . 8Method A . 8Method B . 8“Lie Down!”. 9“Stay!”. 9“Come!” . 10Method A . 10Method B . 11Do’s and Don’ts of “Come!” . 11The Beauty Shop . 12Brushing . 12Bathing . 12Dental Hygiene . 13Nail Clipping. 13Appendix A: Puppy Behavioral Stages. 14Appendix B: Correcting Behavioral Problems . 15References . 16Contributors . 161

IntroductionTwo years ago I brought home a delightful new puppy named Jigger. What I thoughtwould be a warm and fuzzy experience quickly turned into frustration, all because I hadforgotten effective training techniques and became confused by all of the differentadvice that I received. My confusion led to a confused puppy.My purpose for writing this is to provide you with the proper information to train yournew puppy. I want you to avoid the failures and frustrations that I experienced byequipping you with the steps needed to turn your puppy into a well-behaved, adult dog.Puppies need consistent training, discipline, and positive reinforcement from themoment they come home. This contains the techniques that I had success with, alongwith common training techniques that should be avoided.My puppy Jigger at ten weeks old.Note how he is sitting still for this photo. You can’t see the treat I was bribing him with.NoteBefore bringing home any new puppy, please investigate the breed to be sure it will be asuitable size and temperament for your family. Specific breed information can be obtainedfrom your veterinarian, breeders, the library, and the internet. If adopting a mixed breed, theanimal shelter or your local veterinarian usually can tell you the breeds of the pup, and anapproximate size you can expect when fully grown.2

Who Will Check on Your PuppyPreparing for PuppyIf you will be gone all day, is theresomeone who can check on yourpuppy? A puppy younger than sixmonths will not be able to hold hisbladder for more than a few hours, so afriend, neighbor, relative, or pet sitterwho can help out for a few months isimportant.When you bring a new puppy home alittle preparation is best. Consider thesethings before the puppy arrives.Things you should have when youbring a puppy home:Where Will the Puppy SleepYour puppy is used to sleeping with herlittermates and will be comforted by yourpresence if you crate her in yourbedroom. Also, she will be able to wakeyou if she needs to potty.Crate or doorway gatePremium puppy foodNon-tipping feeding bowlsToysWhat Will You Feed HerChewiesFor puppies I recommend high quality foodsspecifically for puppies until they are at leasta year old. I have found that when fedbrands such as Science Diet, Eukanuba, orIams, the puppy will have firmer stools,making accident cleanup easier.TreatsSmall container for treatsCollarShort leashIs Your Home Puppy ProofRetractable leash or rope (25 ft.)A cluttered home is a hazard to a puppywho will try to chew on whatever youmake accessible. Make sure thathazards are off of the floor, electricalcords are hidden and doors are closedto forbidden rooms. Remember, thingsthat are hazardous to small children arealso hazardous to puppies.Nylon bristle brushPuppy or baby shampooToenail clippersTooth brush and canine toothpaste3

him that going potty is wrong and he willbecome sneaky when he does it.Early Puppy TrainingReady for FormattingPaper TrainingI advise against this common practicebecause it teaches your puppy to relievehimself in the house. Also, the puppywill have to be retrained to go outside atsome point. It is best to just train himcorrectly from the beginning.What you teach your puppy from the moment hecomes home will affect his behavior for the restof his life. Think of your puppy as a blankcomputer disk whose output depends on yourinput. Now is the time to think about how youwant your puppy to behave as a full grown dog.It is difficult to resist holding your little pup onyour lap, but what about when he is a full-growndog? Will you still want that?RoutinesRemember that you need to teach your puppynow, what you want him to do when he is fullygrown.Establishing routines with your puppy iscrucial for success in potty training.Puppies learn from you when it is timeto eat, play, potty, go for a walk andsleep. Also, if you feed him at the sametime every day, you will be able todetermine when he will need to relievehimself.Potty TrainingFrom my recent experiences with puppytraining, I have discovered that it is bestto always take your puppy to where youwill want him to relieve himself. Whetheryou will be taking him out on a leash orinto your yard, you must always beconsistent, or he will not know where togo. Don’t just open the door and sendhim outside by himself. He will not knowwhat he is going out for.Always do the following when pottytraining: Go out with him. Give the command “Go potty!” Reward him with praise and atreat when he is successful. Be consistent about where andwhen you take him out.If your puppy has an accident in the house, itis your fault. You must take a young puppyout at least every two hours, especially aftermeals and playing.Never scold, spank or rub his nose in itwhen he has an accident. This teaches4

To Crate or Not to CrateWarningAlthough many people believe puttingtheir puppy in a cage is cruel, there aremany advantages for doing it. Dogs feel safer in small spaces. Aids with potty training. Keeps her out of trouble.Never place you crate near drafts, heatsources, vents, or in bathrooms.Introducing the CrateYour puppy has the natural instinct tokeep her bed clean, so she will developbetter elimination control if she isconfined for gradually extended periodsof time.1. Prop open the door to the crate andtoss a treat inside. As you do this,tell her to “Go to bed.”2. Let her go inside and get the treat.Let her investigate the crate, comeand go as she wishes.3. Repeat until she is comfortable withthe crate.4. Offer her next meal in the crate.After she is in, close the door, andlet her out when she is finishedeating.Photo courtesy of PetEducation.comThere are many types of cratesavailable. These range from wire crates,to travel crates that are mostly plasticwith a wire door. If your pet will betraveling a lot, a plastic crate will providebetter protection in a car or plane.5. Repeat for several meals and treats.6. When comfortable with this, go backto feeding in her original place andoffering treats for going in the crate.Always tell her “go to bed.”Leave her in the crate. If she cries orscratches at the door, tell her “No,quiet!” If you let her out, you areteaching her that the temper tantrumworks. Only let her out when you areready and when she is quiet.Crate LocationThe ideal location for the crate is in yourbedroom. This will give your puppyuninterrupted time with you while yousleep. This will also make her feelsecure. If isolated away from you, shewill be more apt to cry or do destructivechewing out of fear and loneliness.5

Preferred Collars and LeashesLeash TrainingBegin leash training as soon as youbring your puppy home. Many puppiesdo not like the leash, so they must beable to associate it with something goodwhich you will accomplish using praiseand treats.1. Place the collar on his neck,keeping it loose enough to comeover his head if he gets caught onsomething.Image courtesy of Petsmart.com2. Let him wear this for a couple ofdays to get used to the feel of it.Soft, buckled collars made of nylon arepreferred for puppies. They are tough,resist mildew, and do not easily tangle inthe fur of long-haired dogs. For leashtraining a short nylon leash is best.When trained, a retractable leash is fine.3. Under supervision, attach a shortleash onto the collar and let himdrag it around for a little while. Donot try to lead him with it yet. Do thisthree or four times.4. Hold the leash in one hand andsome treats in the other.5. Show him the treats, then backaway a few steps and say, “Let’sgo!” When he comes to you, praisehim and give him a treat.I do not recommend using collars withdecorative beading, spikes, or chains.These can be hazards to a chewingpuppy and can injure persons handlinghim.6. Do this three times a day, increasingthe distance each time and he willsoon readily follow you.7. Always walk him on your left side.Consistency with this means he willnot be underfoot.TipIf your puppy refuses to follow you, do not draghim on the leash. He will associate the leash assomething unpleasant.Instead, just kneeldown, call him to you, and pet him. Wait a fewmoments then try walking with him again.Image courtesy of For Dog Trainers.com6

Becoming the BossDon’t:Dogs are pack animals and most will tryto dominate you. It is natural for them totry to establish themselves as the“Alpha” member of their new pack, yourfamily. Some people find dominantbehavior in a puppy to be cute, but cutewill eventually be replaced by frustrationwhen your full-grown dog rules yourhouse. By stopping her attempt toassert dominance as a puppy, you willbe rewarded with a more obedient dog. Allow her to initiate play. If she bringsyou a toy wanting to play, ignore her.You must be the one to initiate playtime. Allow aggressive behavior such asmouthing, biting, snapping,inappropriate growling, or tug of war.Do’s and Don’ts forEstablishing DominanceImage courtesy of seeFIDO.comDo: Allow her through a doorway or stairsfirst, make her wait for you.Correct bad behavior immediatelywith a firm “No!” Waiting will confuseher. If your command is ignored, firmlygrasp the scruff of her neck and giveit a good shake and tell her “No!”again. Make her sit before all meals andtreats. Cradle an aggressive puppy like ababy for a few minutes, until she iscalm. At first she may become moreupset by this, but will eventuallycalm down. Leave her food out between meals.You give her food at meals and takeup her dish when the meal is over.This lets her know that food comesfrom you!See Appendix A for more informationabout the ages to expect dominationbehaviors from puppies.Photo Courtesy of Good Dog University.Com7

Basic CommandsTipOnly give the command one time. Do not keeprepeating the command. If he does not sit on thefirst command, help him sit and then praise him.You probably chose your puppybecause you want a companion, friend,or protector. But, in order to fulfill therole you want him to take, he will needtraining; and that training begins with thebasic commands.Method AWith basic training, not only will yourpuppy be learning self control, you willbe learning what motivates him to begood. It is best to practice thesecommands several times a week,but not for more than 10 to 15minutes a day. Always end training sessions on ahappy note, with a couple ofminutes of play or praise. Yourpuppy will think of training assomething positive. 1. Hold his leash in left hand, havetreats in your right hand.2. Tell him “Sit!”3. Move your hand with the treats overhis head, from his nose towards histail.4. His head will go up and back towatch your hand, and his h 13 – 16Table information courtesy of Sheltie Talk14