Training and socialization - the two most important gifts you can give your beloved companion after love and good nutrition. 

            One of the most commonly asked questions by new puppy owners is "When do I start training my puppy?" The only true answer to that is the instant you take charge of your new puppy - you begin the training process.  You are training that puppy every waking moment whether it is good or poor training.  Meaning, that the puppy is learning all the time - be sure that you teach that which you want that pup to learn.  Seven, eight, nine week old puppies are easily capable of learning to sit and lay down as well as to respond to their name.  IF the reward is there, they will learn.  A reward can be your happy exclamation! or a tiny piece of edible treat or both for a really great performance.  Food rewards are very exciting for little ones who think they are always hungry.  Don't forget that a reward can also be a good chew on an expensive shoe.  At this stage it is your obligation to keep those shoes out of pups path. 

       Housetraining is probably most people's first concern. A properly raised puppy should have a strong desire to be clean.  If a pup has been allowed to move away from his bed to eliminate in his early weeks, he will try very hard to do so in his new home.  Your obligation is to watch carefully and encourage this habit while pup is adjusting to his new environs.  A puppy will always need to go out:

•   first thing in the morning.
•   10 - 15 minutes after eating
•   every 20-30 minutes while playing
•   after any nap
•   just before bed
•   sometimes during the night

Take the puppy to the same area every time you go out. You can use a name for the activity so he will recognize soon what it is he is supposed to be doing.  Some people use "hurry up" or "go potty" - your decision. Praise him for going in the bathroom area as soon as he does so.

Supervision is the name of the game - keep an eye on the puppy at all times especially in the first few days when bathroom patterns are being established.  If you can control the elimination for the first few days it is unlikely you will have much of a problem.  Don't spend all day hanging around waiting for puppy to go - give him ten minutes or so and then bring him in to bed - try again in a short while.

If your pup has piddled in the house and you have not seen him do it - you cannot reprimand him.  He has long since forgotten all about it.  If you catch him in the act then you can act terribly disappointed, complaining about his behaviour, scoop him up and head outside. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Try not to associate potty breaks with immediately having to go in the house - when he wants to continue to play outside - or with your leaving the house and him alone as soon as he goes potty.   Spend a few extra minutes afterwards in a play time so the association isn't made in his mind.

 

1. Start training your puppy early.  While old dogs can certainly be taught new tricks, what is learned early is often learned the quickest and easiest. Puppies are most receptive to learning and  early training often promotes the love of learning. Patience, persistence and consistency are most important concepts.
2. Avoid giving your dog a command you know you cannot enforce. Every time you give a command that is not followed or enforced your dog learns that commands are optional.
3. Train your dog gently and humanely using positive reinforcement and plenty of rewards. Keep training sessions happy and fun for both of you (and short). Plenty of praise, rewards and playtimes build a solid relationship between you.
4. Start your dog training at home and then progress to more public places. A dog that does not listen to you when you are in your own home will certainly not listen when out somewhere full of distractions.
5. One command should equal one response. Repeating commands (sit, sit! SIT!) only teaches your dog to count. One command, then help him to comply and praise, praise, praise.
6. Avoid combined commands.  "Sit - down" will only confuse your dog. What is it you really want him to do? The command "sit-down" does not exist.
7. Avoid using a loud voice when issuing a command. Your tone of voice should always be firm, authoritative but not harsh or loud.
8. Try to always use your dog's name positively. Your dog should know that when he hears his name, good things will happen. He should always respond to his name enthusiastically.
9. Correct or prevent the (mis)behaviour. Teaching and communication is what it's all about, not punishment. After-the-fact punishment does not work with a dog. Their attention span has long since forgotten what it is you are hollering about.
10. Good timing is essential. Before he's misbehaved is the best time to correct your dog. Watch and learn to read your dog. When you see him sniffing the food you have left on the table, or eyeing the kids new shoes, correct him then, while he is thinking about taking what he wants and hasn't actually done so yet.
11. Try not to reinforce your dog's poor behaviour. Even negative attention is rewarding to the dog. If he receives most of his attention when he raids the garbage or jumps on you then you have reinforced the poor behaviour. Even negative attention is a reward to the dog. Remember to praise him while he is doing good, positive behaviour.
12. Never train your dog when you are in a grouchy mood or impatient. Earning your dog's respect is never accomplished by hitting or yelling.

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