Puppy Training For the First Few Weeks.
Your new puppy is going to need a lot of instruction from you at first in order to learn the rules of the household. Training your puppy the right way, the first time, will ensure that your puppy grows up into a well behaved dog. In addition, a puppy that learns that rules of the household is a happy puppy. The puppy knows that he or she is doing a good job, and the puppy adores the positive feedback from you.
Positive Reinforcement is Critical
Whenever you are training a puppy, or a dog, always use positive reinforcement. This type of training method rewards good behavior, and ignores bad behavior. Punishing a puppy for bad behavior can confuse the puppy, teach the puppy the bad behavior still gets attention, and encourage the puppy to continue the bad behavior. Rewarding the puppy for good behavior will help the puppy to quickly learn that good behavior pays with lots of attention and affection from you.
Bathroom Training
Bathroom training should always be achieved through positive reinforcement. Take the puppy to the same area every time to go the bathroom, and when the puppy uses that spot lavish a whole lot of attention and affection on the puppy. If the puppy has an accident in the house, take the puppy to the bathroom spot immediately. Reduce accidents in the home by giving the puppy plenty of opportunities to go the bathroom. Puppies usually need to go to the bathroom after they eat, wake up, and play.
Leash Training
Begin to leash train your puppy as soon as possible. A harness will give the puppy more support instead of a collar. Take the puppy on a leash outside to go to the bathroom, or even for a short walk outside or around the yard. When the puppy walks well with you reward the puppy. If the puppy is not behaving, stop and ignore the puppy until it calms down and then try again.
Source: PetWave
Basic Principles for Training Dogs
Dogs can be trained to do very complex tasks without resorting to harsh techniques. Positive rewards such as praise, petting, and treats will motivate most any dog. The summary below provides an introduction to the principles of training.
Basic Training Principles
Dogs are very astute, intelligent, and capable of complex learning. The way you interact with the dog is pivotal. Consistency, clarity, and repetition are very important. Short training sessions ( approximately 10 minutes) that are repeated daily until tasks are successfully learned, and then periodically reinforced will provide the best results. Initially, ensure that the environment is free of distractions.
Your attitude should be that of an upright standing posture, using a gentle but firm voice tone when giving commands. Avoid rambling instructions. Do not yell. Dogs hear much better than we do, and yelling just puts the dog on high alert. This does not mean a clap of the hands, or shaking of a can of stones to garner attention is inappropriate. Forcing the dog by coercion or fear will prove to be universally counterproductive. Avoid physical punishment. The use of food treats is a powerful motivator. Note that many dogs will become overexcited with food treats, and those dogs should have treats only when a real breakthrough occurs. A dog that is focused on the treat, and not on you, is not a good pupil.
Establishing the Pecking Order
The essence of training is to establish you as the alpha of the pack using dog-level communication signals. They need to respect for you from the time they come into the home as a puppy. Alphas in a dog pack have body language cues that will very quickly educate a young dog regarding their proper place in the pack and you can use some of these body language cues to gently educate the young dog regarding their place in your home as a member of the pack. Remember that you and your dog are a team, so focus always on providing a positive learning environment. This will lead to a very strong bond between you and your dog.
Direct eye contact in dogs is a sign of dominance. If you stare at a dog that respects you as their leader, which is essential for proper training, they will eventually avert their eyes, and may even lie down or roll over. If a dog thinks he is dominant, he will hold the stare, and may perhaps become growly or aggressive. Knowing your dog is important. If any indications of dominance are evident, immediately contact a veterinarian, behaviorist, or trainer for guidance. Early management of these signs can mean the difference between a problem dog and a perfect dog.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
Teaching Your Dog to Lay Down
Teaching your dog to lay down is a useful command that can be beneficial in a number of settings; in the home, at the veterinarians', when visiting other people, or when you and your dog are around other animals. Follow these steps below, and your dog will learn how to lay down in no time.
Step 1:
It is particularly important that you have your dogs' complete attention when you are teaching this command. Your dog will not understand what you are doing at first, so be sure to use a positive happy voice and praise the dog continually throughout and after the lesson.
Step 2:
When you have your dogs' attention using a favorite treat, toy, or a clicker tool, say the words lay down in a firm voice. Follow through on the command by gently pushing the dog down in a laying position. Pet the dog many times, praise the dog, and then begin the lesson again. After you have repeated this step at least 3 times reward the dog with the treat or toy.
Step 3:
Repeat step 2 a few times a day, for many days in a row, and eventually your dog will associate the words lay down with the action. Once your dog has made this connection, keep the lessons up. Now you can hold up a treat or toy, say the words lay down, and when the dog follows up with the action immediately give the dog a reward with lots of praise.
Step 4:
Overtime stop using a treat or toy as a reward, and stick to verbal praise and petting as you continue with the lesson.
Step 5:
Perform the lessons at least 3 times a day until your dog has really learned it. Continually reinforce the lessons at least once a day, and always follow up with verbal praise.
Source: PetWave
Additional Commands & Tricks to teach your dog!
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