Puppy Training Tips

Puppy has arrived, so here are some Quick Training Tips from Tag N Rye Dog Services

Dogs not doing what they are told

Dogs do not speak our language so unless they have been trained properly to obey they cannot be expected to do what they are told. Ensure you have trained your dog properly by using the same chosen word every time the dogs does the required exercise until the dog recognises the word and reacts on command. e.g.., when the dog goes out through a door say ‘out good boy’, when the dog sits say ‘sit good boy’.

Jumping up on people/furniture

Most dogs will usually repeat an action that gets a reaction. When the dog jumps up on you and you shout at him and push him off he will not understand that you do not want him to do this. He will think that as you give him attention for doing that and none if he keeps his feet on the floor that you want him to jump up.

 

Teach him to sit before you give him attention or ignore him when he jumps up on you, giving no eye, verbal or physical contact. Wait until he gets off you before talking to him. Should he jump up again as you talk ignore him as before until he is on the ground. It is important to acknowledge the correct behaviour if ignoring the bad behaviour.

Remember if you sometimes hug your dog when he jumps up un-invited he will not understand when it is or is not alright to do so. If you teach your dog that jumping up by invitation is acceptable (call dogs name and pat your legs) but not doing that means do not jump.

Barking when being left in the garden

If the dog is not used to being away from the owner when they are at home then the dog will not understand why he is being left alone outside when the owner goes out.

 

Teach your puppy that it is perfectly alright to be left alone for a while when you are in the house. Give the puppy a stuffed Kong toy or treat ball and leave him in the kitchen/garden for a short time playing with the toy. Return to the puppy before he starts to protest about being alone. Over time increase the period he is left alone with the toys until he is happy with being by himself. Ensure the garden is secure and there is somewhere dry the dog can go into in case of bad weather.

Puppies not being house trained quickly enough

A 12 week old puppy is equivalent to an 18 month old child and very few of those are nappy trained by that age. Take your puppy outside at regular intervals into the area you want him to toilet in. When he goes to the toilet tell him ‘busy good boy’ and when he has finished give him a treat for what he has done where he has done it. As the puppy gets older he will learn to hold on and even go to the door to tell you he needs out.  Never punish your puppy for toileting in the house, it is not his fault as he has not yet learned what you require of him. Wash the soiled areas in the house with either: 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water or 1 part biological washing powder and 10 parts water.

Do not use bleached based products as there is ammonia in bleach as well as urine and faeces. The next time you are feeding the puppy place his dinner bowl on the (cleaned) area that he had dirtied earlier. Very few dogs like to dirty where they are eating or sleeping. Some dogs may urinate with excitement when you come home, ignore this and they will usually grow out of it.

Not coming back when called

Apart from lack of proper training this problem may be as a result of dogs associating coming back when called with the lead going on to end a walk, to be put outside or even corrected.

 

Teach the puppy that his name is valuable and every time he responds he gets a nice treat/fuss. When he reacts to his name the instant you call him in the house then start adding the ‘come’ command to his name. Ensure he gets a nice reward for his response.

 

Always train your dog where there are no distractions before you expect the dog to train around distractions.

In the above article the reference to ‘he’ covers both male and female.


© copyright Julie Holmes Ch.M.I.A.C.E
The contents of this article are copyright to the author and must not be reproduced partially or fully without the author’s permission.

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