And a lady with a lot of common sense
I’m so excited, of all the puppies in the store, you chose me! You stare at me, and I know what you’re thinking. Did I just made the biggest mistake of my life, bringing home a new puppy? I won’t lie to you. There will be times when you wish you never walked into that Pet Store! But I promise, if you stick to a few simple rules and follow the training exercises outlined below, in no time we’ll be best friends.
We just pulled into the driveway. I’m so excited I hope I don’t have an accident. By the way, I like riding in your car. I hope you take me for lots of short rides so I get used to the motion. You know car sickness is very messy, so get me used riding in your car. Make sure you always put me in the back seat, its safer back there. Here comes the family running up to meet me. Hey before you open that door, put on my collar and leash and don’t forget my toys are on the back seat!
HANDLING A PUPPY:
I hope you told your children to be careful with me. My bones are fragile. If someone drops me, my bones could fracture or break. Did you tell them my hair is just like theirs, if it’s pulled, it will hurt! My ears are not handles. And I don’t like to be carried by my ears, neck or tummy. Keep in mind, my tail isn’t a squeeze toy.
MY NAME:
Since I got home the lady calls me Cutie Pie, the little girl calls me Fluffy, the boy calls me Sport, and you called me a Son Of A Bitch when I peed on the rug. My question is… which one do I answer to?
Decide on a name quickly. Have a few names in mind, and then choose the one that suits your puppy. Immediately start calling the puppy by name. If you do that right away, within a few days, the puppy will respond to its name. Don’t forget to praise him, even answering to his name is an accomplishment. The more positive reinforcement he receives, the more he will want to please you.
UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE:
Trade places with your puppy for a moment. How would you feel if you travel to a foreign country and all you heard was a strange language? It would be frustrating and confusing. This is what your puppy hears, a foreign language. Don’t talk to him in sentences; he doesn’t understand one word. If he could, your puppy would tell you:
Sorry but I don’t know what you want from me. I know I can learn as many words as you have the time and patience to teach me. Can we start with one word one at a time? Remember, no long sentences, just short one word commands in the beginning. For example: my ball toy. Pick up the ball and show it to me and repeat ball, ball, ball, ball, ball, ball, and ball. Say the word over and over with a happy voice while holding my ball. Call me by my name and show me the ball. Eventually I will put the word “ball” and associate it with my toy ball. If you have the time and patience, you can teach me the name of each of my toys. While we’re talking about toys, under no circumstances ever give me an old shoe, slipper or sock to play with. I don’t know the difference between old and new. Don’t forget to have patience use lots of praise and practice my lessons over and over until I understand what you are teaching me.
THE RULES:
Shelters are filled with abandoned dogs. These these dogs were given up for various reasons. Most are unfairly labeled as uncontrollable. These poor dogs were never taught manners or how to follow commands and learn boundaries. It’s up to you to make sure I don’t wind up like that.
Begin my training right away. There are people who think you can’t train a puppy because they are too young to understand. That’s not true! My first lesson will be to get to know everyone in my family; I can learn that by myself. Your first lesson is to have patience, be gentle and affectionate. The first two days is our bonding time. About day three, start showing me my boundaries. My food bowl goes here, not over there where I dragged it. I guess nobody appreciates shredded newspapers, who knew? That pretty table cloth with the fringes belongs on the table; not on the floor. When I’m about 3 to 4 months old, you should begin my obedience training. We have to start slowly, about 15 or 20 minutes twice a day if possible. When we are training, make sure we are in a quiet room with no distractions like the TV, Video Games, etc. I have to be able to concentrate on you and what you are teaching me. Don’t confuse me. Teach me only one specific command at a time. Once I master the first command, then we can go on to the next and so on.
DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING:
Even though I’m the cutest puppy ever, I need to learn boundaries and rules as soon as possible. Everyone in the family must agree on what I can and cannot do. Mixed signals will confuse me and I will make mistakes which will make you angry. So if everyone follows the same lesson pattern, my training will go much easier. If you don’t want me on the couch or the beds, don’t hold me on your lap while you are sitting on the couch or the bed. If I jump up on the furniture or beds, immediately say off take me by my collar and put me on the floor while repeating off. Now I know that the word off means get down. See, it’s easy, as long as you teach me the meaning of each word. Practicing this lesson over and over teaches me where my boundaries begin and end. Don’t forget to praise me.
MY PLACE:
I love my bed and crate. It’s my very own den. I’ll probably cry the first few nights. If you give me a treat when you close the crate’s door, I’d settle down faster. There will come a day when I will go into my crate voluntarily without coaxing, because I like having my own safe place. Always keep an old towel or blanket, something soft in the crate for me to lie on and don’t forget a few toys to keep me busy.
Crate training is fine and encouraged by most vets and trainers. It is okay to confine me to my crate overnight. However please don’t keep me in a crate for more than 3 hours during the day. When parents leave for work and the kids are off to school; don’t leave me in the crate for 8 hours. Remember I was alone in that crate all night. If you have to leave me alone for a long a period during the day, you might want to designate a safe puppy proof place for me in the basement, garage, spare room or bathroom. I can stay in the yard if it’s completely fenced and I have a dog house. It will provide shelter in case it rains or it gets too hot outside. Don’t forget when I’m outside I’ll need a weighted water bowl. Make sure I don’t bark or become a nuisance the first few times I’m left alone outside. We don’t want to upset our neighbors. Keep in mind I will have separation anxiety when you leave me. When I’m alone and I hear strange noises, I will become frightened. To help with my anxiety when I’m inside, keep a radio or TV on during the day to keep me company until I get used to the daily routine.
FOOD AND WATER:
I love my new food and water bowls. I’d like to share something with you. When I was with the other puppies, I had to fight for every bite of kibble. Even drinking was hard, with all the puppies crowding the bowl. If I get nasty when someone goes near my food, this is what you must do right away. Have Mom or Dad hold my bowl while I eat. Let them take some kibble from the bowl and let me eat it from their hand. This lesson teaches me that although there is a hand near my food, no one is going to take my food away. Gently stroke me while I’m eating, praising me, but don’t be annoying. You want me to tolerate people near my food. If I get nasty, immediately scold me by saying No! Quickly remove the bowl. Any growling or showing of teeth should never be tolerated. Immediately forcefully and sternly correct me! While standing over me, offer the bowl again, repeat the exercise over and over until I have no reaction to anyone near my food.
Parents should do this exercise the moment your puppy comes home. You want to make sure a child can walk past the dog while he is eating with no reaction. Be firm if you have to correct the puppy. Remember the “NO” command means unacceptable behavior and is always said in an extremely stern, commanding voice. This is the easiest behavior to correct, as long as you start immediately.
BEGGING:
If you don’t want me to beg at the table, don’t give me table food! That’s simple enough. I don’t know what table food tastes like and I’m perfectly content with my food. Don’t create a monster and a thief. Start out by feeding me good quality dog food and an occasional treat, nothing else. If I come over to the table, send me to my crate or have me sit and stay in my “place” while food is served. Remember I need manners. Do not allow me to be a pest. Take charge and teach me boundaries.
TRAINING TO GO OUTSIDE:
There will be accidents, be prepared. Here’s how to teach me the meaning of the word outside. Ops, there’s a accident, take me over to the spot and scold me by saying No! bad boy! outside! in a stern voice. Follow through by walking me to the door. Have me sit while you put on my leash and say the word outside. As we walk out of the door, remember you go always walk out first. Call me by name and saying outside, outside. When I relieve myself, praise me by name and say good boy, outside! outside, in a happy voice. After a while, I will get the message, relieving is called outside and they praise me when I do it outside the house. Very soon when I have to go outside I will sit at the door and give you a look. When I give you that look, ask me outside? My body language will tell you YES, get up, get the leash and let’s go now! Repeat the word outside and my name with a happy voice. I have lots of energy, so before bedtime, make sure my last walk of the night a long one. When we come back in the house, let me have a drink of water then pick up the water bowl. In the morning BEFORE you have your coffee, take me out. I’ve held my business all night and I’m about to burst! After my breakfast, or before you leave the house for the day, take me out again. The repetition of this lesson will be frustrating at times, but it eventually it will pay off.
SOCIALIZING YOUR PUPPY:
Everyone wants to pick me up and hold me. Not a good idea. I just got used to the kids handling me. Strangers with their scents can confuse me. Here’s how to introduce me to new people. Stand next to me, let one person at a time extend their hand so I can sniff them. I’ll get all the information I need from my sense of smell. If you praise me while I’m being petted, then I know its okay for this person to meet me. You are my security blanket for now. I rely on your judgment and protection. Never allow anyone to reach over my head to pet me on the back of my head. Imagine if someone tried to reach over your head to pat you on the shoulder. A little uncomfortable wouldn’t you say?
TEACHING BASIC COMMANDS:
Commands are very easy to teach, you just have to be patient, use praise and repetition. Again, always do your lessons in a quiet room. Puppies have short attention spans and are easily distracted. A treat is a great reward after a good lesson.
SIT COMMAND:
To teach this command, gently push my butt down and say the word sit in an assertive tone. We are not playing, its lesson time. Kneel beside me and gently push down my butt, keep repeating the word sit, sit, sit, sit. Remember your teaching me the meaning of the word sit. Sit means butt on the ground! Let me up and repeat the sequence over again. Say no other word but sit while gently pushing my butt to the floor. Repeat the sequence over and over until I sit on command. When I respond by sitting on command, give me lots of praise and a treat.
I believe in visual commands. I’ve always taught my dogs both verbal and visual commands. Here’s how to teach your dog to sit without saying a word. AFTER he learns to the meaning of sit, while he is sitting, hold up your hand close your fist and raise only your index finger and say sit. Keep him in that position for a few moments with your index finger raised repeating sit, sit, sit. As with all training, repeat the exercise over and over. Very soon all you will have to do is call your dog by name, raise your index finger and he will sit. Don’t forget a treat is a great reward and encourages your dog to respond to your requests.
STAY COMMAND:
The stay command is important and easy to teach. There will be many times you need me to say in one place. Remember earlier, we talked about staying away from the dinner table. Here’s how we teach this command. Now that I’ve mastered the sit command, its time to use that command to teach me the stay command. First command me to sit. Stand in front of me. While I’m sitting, hold up your hand like a stop sign (palm toward me) and say the word stay. Walk a few feet backward keeping eye contact and with your hand still in the (stop) position and say stay, stay, stay, stay. Take another foot backwards and repeat stay… now I understand that stay means don’t move! Now walk toward me, repeating the word stay. When you reach me praise and give me a treat. I deserve it. Repeat this exercise until you can have me sit on command while you walk out of the room and I remain in place until you call me to you! If a gentle push on the butt means sit, then the hand up, palms out facing me means stay. Make sure everyone in the family uses the same words and gestures so that I don’t get confused.
DOWN COMMAND:
This command is similar to the stay command. Lower your hand slowly and say down. Put me in the sit position; coax me to lay down. While I’m down on the floor repeat the word down over and over. Show me your hand slowly going downward repeating down, down. Repeat lesson over and over until I understand and follow the command. This is a difficult exercise, but we know we can master it with practice and patience. When I’m down on all fours, praise me with a treat! Continue repeating the word down, until I get the command each and every time. Remember treats encourage me to want to perform again and again.
COME TO ME COMMAND:
This one can be the most difficult to teach. But we’ve come so far and you now have the confidence to go to the next level. Puppies are too busy playing and don’t like to come when they are called. I hate to say this but bribery works like a charm. Here’s how to make me come to you each time you call me. Put on my leash and have me sit and stay. Then call me by name and say come gently tug at my leash and guide me toward you repeating come, come. Praise me but no treat yet. Again put me in the sit command, and stand a few feet from me and say come. When I walk toward you repeat the word come, come, come until I reach you. This time praise me and give me a treat. Now I like this… I’m being rewarded with treats, I want to do it again and again. Now get a longer leash or rope and repeat the exercise until I respond each and every time. But make sure I understand the word come means I go directly to who commanded me. Put me in a sit and stay command. Remove my leash, keep eye contact with me, and walk backwards with your hand held up in stay position. When you are at least 10 feet away, command me to “come”. If I leap toward you praise me and give me a treat. Repeat the lesson over and over until I sit and stay in one room while you are in another room. Then call me to come and I should immediately run to your side.
Make sure you do this exercise in the house or fenced yard. Never teach this lesson in a park or open area where your dog could run away, or worse, run into traffic. There will be times when this command could save his life. If you see a dangerous situation about to unfold, calling your dog to your side can avert a tragedy. This command requires lots of practice. But remember your dog doesn’t think of these lessons as “dreaded school”. Your dog interprets training exercises as an opportunity to have one on one time with you. Quality time, praise and an occasional treat, what more could a dog ask for? Always make training a positive event followed by play time. Remember training should take place each and every day. Keep your sessions short at first, then as he progresses, increase the training time. Don’t wear out the puppy! Remember some dogs have shorter attention spans. Be patient and praise your puppy.
JUMPING UP ON PEOPLE:
This behavior is easy to correct by gently raising your knee to block the jump and loudly say the word down. Again, say it like you mean it down. I won’t like the knee in my chest and I certainly don’t like that stern tone. After a while I will get the message, down means do not jump up. Practice, praise and repetition. Its the key to training me.
When the doorbell rings, this usually sends a dog into frenzy. Never tell me to shut up. You want me to alert you someone is at the door or near the house. As you walk to the door, have me on a sit and stay command. As you open the door, I should be in my place until you release me. If I get excited and ignore your command, correct me by taking me to my spot and firmly command me to sit and stay. I can move only when you release me from the command by telling me its okay. Then, with your approval, I can greet the guest. Always ask your guests to extend their hand for me to sniff. Under no circumstances allow me to jump on guests. Assume the pack leader role and take control of me. After reading my blog, you know exactly what to do. I almost forgot, never isolate me by putting me into a back room; leave me outside or in the garage when you get company. By isolating me, you are sending a message that you don’t want me to meet this guest. I should I be fearful of this person? Not a good idea. As long as I have manners, your guests should tolerate me. When someone leaves the house; it’s okay for me to walk with you to the door. However, if you don’t want me to follow you to the door, just have me sit and stay in my place. Remember you must always have control over me. Be patient and practice this lesson over and over with family members and friends taking turns knocking at the door. Praise me when I obey your command.
DOG PARK:
It is very beneficial (after you get the okay from your Veterinarian) to take me to the dog park to meet other dogs. However, be very careful and watch closely for aggressive dogs. Most dogs will sense I’m young and will be happy just to sniff me. I’ll probably lie on my back in a submission position, so that all the dogs can sniff me. This is how dogs get acquainted and that’s perfectly fine. However some dogs can be territorial and might display aggression or dominance towards me. Watch out for that behavior. Keep and eye on me and stay close the first few times when I’m on my own in the park. Remember I look to you for protection. Don’t let me down because some day I will assume the role as your protector. If you feel uncomfortable with a dog’s aggressive behavior or body language towards me, then it is time for us to leave the park. Don’t be discouraged, we can come back another day and try again. I will grow into a more happy and sociable dog by being exposed to other dogs and their owners.
NIPPING OR BITING:
This is never tolerated and should be quickly corrected. If I put my teeth on anything other than my food or toys, sternly enforce a quick No! bad boy! Say it like you mean it! No! If I nip or bite a body part, follow through with a stern correction then put your hand next to my mouth. If I lick your hand, praise me by saying good boy in a happy voice. If I attempt to bite again, repeat the stern warning No! until I get the message! Teething is no excuse. Make sure there are plenty of hard rubber chew toys on the floor and in my crate. Again, under no circumstances should I be allowed to bite or nibble on anything other than my food or toys. If I’m too quiet, (just like your kids) check on me to make sure I’m not getting into trouble, destroying or chewing on something forbidden.
HOW TO WALK YOUR PUPPY:
When I take my dog for a walk, I always follow this routine. I have him sit and stay at the door and put on his leash. I open the door, walk out first and invite the dog to come. I never, ever allow my dog to pull me. I’ve seen people dragged to the ground. We’ve all seen someone walking their dog and it looks as though their arm was being pulled from the socket. Begin teaching your dog to walk next to you by using a short lead. As you walk side by side, stay the word heel. This exercise is very time consuming and will test your patience, trust me. Dogs want to run and explore the second they are out the door. Remember he is outside on your terms. He must do what you ask, not what he wants to do. If you have to restrain him for an entire block by holding him fast to your side, do it! Try to keep positive and in spite of his defiance, keep repeating his name and the word heel, heel, heel, praise, good boy, even if he fights you. Your determination must win out over his defiance. Again teaching the word heel means walk slowly by my side, repeat heel, heel, heel praise by name and repeat heel, eventually the dog will get the message. Here’s a tip: Start teaching this lesson in your yard, or an empty parking lot. Any place with little or no distractions. Once you feel the dog is making progress , take the lesson out to the street. Give him a small treat each time he walks several feet by your side without resistance. Treats reinforce positive response. Your dog will want to perform over and over to get that next treat in your pocket. Before you know it, the two of you will be strolling down the street effortlessly.
My dog is never allowed to pass my knee. We walk briskly together, side by side. When I stop, my dog immediately sits at my side. Of course we stop at every tree and fire hydrant so he can take care of his business. That is perfectly acceptable. Remember to take a poop bag on your walks so you can clean up after your dog. After each pit stop, we continue on our walk until we get to an area I know is safe. Once we get there, I take off his leash and let him run and play. I am confident when I call him, my dog will run to my side. I have used each and every technique outlined in this blog with great success and I am positive you will too. Keep in mind some dogs are a bit stubborn. That doesn’t mean you give up. You just try harder and train more often. As you master each lesson, I know you will agree with me, that this is not rocket science. Its just good common sense and anyone with time and patience can do this. Imagine the personal pride you feel each time someone compliments you on your dog’s behavior. Your hard work and persistence has paid off.
BODY LANGUAGE:
Watch me and understand my behavior by learning my body language. Soon you’ll be able to read me like you read your children. When I get into trouble and you’re angry with me, watch me. My ears will go down and I will walk timidly toward you or run and hide. Keep your eyes on me, stop me in my tracks if you think I’m about to get into trouble. By now I should know the key commands NO, OFF, SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME and HEEL. Again, when you see me doing something naughty, give me a command in a stern, assertive tone. If I obey your command, take the time to praise me.
FROM ME TO YOU:
Let’s assume you have mastered each command, do you realize you’ve taught your dog about a half dozen words! And not only does he understand the meaning of those words, but he can also recognize the words with the hand signals you’ve taught him.
I’d like to share something with you. A long time ago I had a brilliant German shepherd, his name was Toby. I taught him many words and signs. Toby would put his dish in the sink after each meal. He also jumped up and got his leash and brought it to me when he had to go out. He even brought me my purse and keys. Toby was my best friend and I miss him to this day. You can teach your dog to do many, many things. The more he masters his commands, the more confidence you have in your ability to teach and his ability to learn. The sky is the limit on what you can teach your dog. Remember ..... patience, praise and repetition.
I wrote this blog because I’m fed up watching people verbally abuse their pets. I want to scream “He doesn’t understand one word you just said and your caring the hell out of him”! Please share this link with everyone in your family. Anyone can learn these training techniques and contribute toward raising a loving, obedient family pet.
If you have room in your home and heart, remember the local Pound and Shelters are filled with abandoned dogs. These dogs live for the day someone is willing to give them a second chance. If you decide to be a savior to one of these dogs, just follow the lessons outlined above. You’d be surprised how quickly an older dog responds to training. Keep in mind, if you visit a shelter; make sure everyone in the family goes. Should you become interested in a dog, obtain as much information about him as possible. For example, why was he abandoned? How long is he here? Where did he come from? Do you know if he is good with small children and other pets? Try to interact with the dog. Especially watch the dog’s reaction to your children. Hopefully you are looking at the best companion your family will ever have.
This advice is free. If you found my techniques helpful; please make a small donation to your local animal shelter. Your donation, even if it’s the price of a bottle of soda pop, represents food for an entire day to a shelter dog.
Best of luck to you and remember…..patience, praise and repetition.
Marie Walkowiak
