How to Train Your Puppy.

Hi everyone,

Hope you had a super weekend!  I was talking with one of the agents in my office the other day and she told me she had just bought her kids a new puppy – SO EXCITING!!!

 

She’s a dog lover… I’m a dog lover so we started talking about dogs and training.  Training a puppy is hard work, but it’s absolutely worth it! Some of you know my dog, Maya, and I bought her as a puppy and trained her up.  Before I adopted her I read several books on training puppies and condensed these readings into some of the more common behaviors that I’d like to share with you in case you don’t have time to read a book or three!

 

Guess I should insert a disclaimer… I am not a dog trainer.  Maya and I attended several puppy training classes and I read several books.  And Maya turned out great!

 

Before you read on, I’d like to share some basic concepts (and fun facts) that I’ve learned that may help, educate or entertain you.

 

1. Train your dog in short increments as they will mentally get exhausted quicker.
2. Training is more successful if everyone in the family is on the same page teaching the same things the same way.
3. Persistence and patience is key. Remember you’re teaching them a new language and you’re not learning their language.
4. Knowing when to reward, correct and discipline is crucial… dogs have short-term memory and a sense of time.
5. All your dog wants to do is love you and please you.
6. Fun fact if you didn’t know, dogs actually see in color (though no quite the range we have).
7. They have a much larger vocabulary than you think with some breeds learning more than 1,000 words. I teach my dog new words all the time!  Most recently I taught her the word “beer.”  Woof Gang Bakery sells craft dog beer which is just dog-friendly liquid flavor you add to dry food… she loves it!
8. They know you better than yourself i.e. all they do is look and observe you and know your habits and daily patterns. Patterns are important to them as well.
9. Their senses like smelling and hearing are very sensitive.
10. Dogs don’t sweat like we do… they can only sweat through their paws and pant to cool down.
11. Please mind your dog’s paws on a hot day. If you touch the back of your hand to the cement and it hurts your hand… it’s likely going to hurt their paw pads.
12. Always keep your dog on a leash unless they’re in your fenced in back yard. A lot of people like to show off how well their dog walks off-leash, but few can actually do it and it only takes a second for a dog to run out in the street.
13. Try using sign language for your dog for a day or two… a great exercise I learned in dog training. You can search the Internet for hand gestures.
14. Their nose print is very much like our fingerprints and unique from dog-to-dog!
15. You can learn a lot about how your dog is feeling by the position and movement of their tail.
16. “How” you say it is just as important as “what” you say.
17. Puppies are born both blind and deaf.
18. Dogs can “smell” your feelings such as fear.
19. Be careful about taking your dog to a dog park as not every dog is vaccinated and every owner thinks their dog is well-behaved (even when sometimes they are not).
20. Dogs like to poop while facing north or south which is why they spin in circles to face the right direction.
21. Dogs have a high threshold for pain so as not to convey to other dogs their weakness so when they visually or audibly start to show pain… they’ve already been in pain a while.
22. When a dog goes to the bathroom and turns their back to you, it means they trust you enough to protect them while going to the bathroom as it is a vulnerable position for them. And if your dog follows you into the bathroom, like so many do, they’ve got your back as well!
23. Petting dogs can lower your blood pressure.
24. Butt-sniffing is common. Dogs secrete from glands in their rear end and these secretions tell a lot about a dog to other dogs.
25. Lastly, if your dog will likely eat anything you put in front of him or her, but please do your research before you feed them anything. Foods like chocolate and grapes among many other items are toxic to dogs and can either make them sick or kill them.

And here are some behaviors I taught my dog and how to teach them…

 

Teaching COME when dog WON’T COME.

• USE DIFFERENT KEY WORD LIKE “HERE” MAYBE?????
• Put Maya on a short leash.
• Let her get interested in something then call “Maya Come” in an upbeat voice while running backward away from dog.
• When dog is few steps away, raise the treat p a bit telling the dog to sit.
• After the dog sits, reach out, grab her collar, and reward dog with treat.
• When perfection is reached at this level graduate to the long leash.
• Get an assistant to distract the dog with food, toys or another dog.
• When perfection is reached do this off leash in confined areas then to large areas.

 

How to teach dog to stop licking

• Remove the REACTION (affection or attention) and just walk away.
• Reward dog with affection when NOT licking.
• Buy citrus-scented skin products.
• Keep them pre-occupied with toys.
• Train your dog with a LICK command:
  • Method One
    • Choose word to initiate licking i.e. LICK.
    • Hold out hand while saying LICK.
    • Issue end command i.e. STOP, NO LICK or NO KISS.
    • If she stops reward behavior.
    • If she continues, say STOP while moving hand away.
  • Method Two
    • Say no and withdraw attention by moving away and don’t make eye contact.

 

Socialization

The positive adjustment a puppy makes to dogs, people, places or objects and what we do to foster this.

• Expose to as many as possible sights, sounds, textures, places, etc.
• Introduce puppy to people of all ages, sizes, genders, etc.
  • Don’t let strangers overwhelm Maya.
  • Watch new people from a distance… Maya doesn’t have to greet everyone.
• Introduce the puppy to older, younger, smaller and large puppies.
  • Expose Maya to other dogs from the car.
  • Don’t let Maya meet strange dogs in public places.
• Create play spaces w/obstacles, tires, boxes, bottles, toys, tunnels, slides, hanging toys, etc.
• ALWAYS end session with praise and pats with positive reaction from puppy ONLY.
• You can take small dogs to a lot of places, but Bass Pro Shops is the only retailer that will let you bring any dog of any size!

 

Discipline and Common Puppy Problems

• Respond quickly and correctly letting pup know the error mimicking what her mom would do.
• NEVER USE A PUPS NAME IN CONJUNCTION WITH A CORRECTION OR DISCIPLINE.
• HAVE PUPS NAME ASSOCIATED WITH POSITIVE THINGS.
• Options include:
  • Deep voice and NO.
  • Strong glaring look.
  • Grab pup by scruff and hold to ground saying NO until she submits – DON’T SHAKE HER.
  • If pup is older (12+ weeks) grab her by sides of neck lifting front feet off the ground saying NO making eye contact and holding in place.
  • If the pup is advanced and knows DOWN STAY… use a DOWN STAY.
  • IF OLDER DOG GROWLS put dog in sit stay, grab collar with one hand and give a quick firm cuff underneath the chin with a NO.

 

Rewards

• Give rewards: hot dogs, cheese, etc. that accompany good behavior & scary experiences.

 

Don’ts

• NEVER CALL A PUPPY TO DISCIPLINE HER.
• Don’t force puppy to do anything she doesn’t want to do.
• Don’t take puppy to the dog park until 5-6 months old and she’s been socialized with other dogs.

 

When Accidents Happen.

• Must catch her IN THE ACT and say NO AND STARTLE HER.
• Immediately pick her up and take her outside to eliminate.
• Take her to crate so she doesn’t see you cleaning it up so she doesn’t think you’re her maid.
• Clean up thoroughly so they don’t go in same spot.
• DO NOT chase her, run away from her, discipline her… just grab her collar.

 

Submissive Urination Prevention

• NEVER PUNISH FOR THIS BEHAVIOR… she is showing submission.
• Avoid highly emotional greetings or situations where I tower over the pup.
• Whenever arriving home ignore dog for 5 minutes the crouch to her level and greet her.

 

Teaching Puppy Not to Nip, Mouth or Bite.

• Say NO and say NO again.
• Grab by scruff shake her and say NO.
• Put in kennel to cool off for 15-20 minutes and be sure to ignore her.
• Yelp like she hurt you and DON’T PULL AWAY FROM THE BITE.
• Withdraw attention and move away for 30 seconds, ignore her then go back and play with her after she calms down.
• Grab her jaw and wrap her gums/lips around her teeth and let her bite herself.
• Don’t encourage her to nip, bite mouth more by playing with her or touching her mouth.
• Distract them with another chew toy immediately.
• Avoid waving fingers or toys in front of puppy’s face.
• Spray Bitter Apple on hands or where she bites.

 

Chewing Prevention

• Introduce chew toys immediately during play time.
• ALWAYS be aware of where the pup is and what he’s doing in a puppy-proofed area.
• If catch say NO Hold down by scruff when catch him and present nylon toy instead.
• Pretend to be distracted and see if she moves to another item then say NO and point to chew toy.

 

Mouthing Prevention

• Stick finger down throat.
• Squirt lemon juice in her mouth then put some lemon juice on my hand and resume petting.

 

Jumping Prevention

• Teach by tone of voice and OFF.
• Take treat hand pressing in face to like a stop sign then wait for her to sit then reward.
• Remove whatever body part she is attempting to jump on.
• Grab paws and when pup gets uncomfortable hold a few more seconds then let her down into a sit.
• If on leash give quick jerk then circle around back into SIT STAY and do again.

 

Barking, Whining and Crying.

• Make a list of what makes the dig bark, whine or cry.
• Catch in the act and discipline her.
• Bark, whine or cry with her each time then add word SPEAK on command then use ENOUGH.

 

Crate Training

• Place kibble in crate to see if she goes in.
• Place them in crate for short periods of time with treats petting and reassuring her.
• Provide something positive in crate i.e. treats, a toy, feed her in her crate and close door.
• NEVER let them out of the crate when whining as this rewards whining.

 

When Puppy Should Say Please

• Sitting by door before going out.
• Sitting outside of door to come inside.
• To meet new people.

 

Teaching Off Leash.

• Be patient and work slowly because puppy can just walk away.
• Work until point BEFORE dog will break.
• ONLY do so in a gated area or secluded area.

 

Teaching ENOUGH.

• ENOUGH is taught by tone of voice.
• Wait until puppy has just gone too far and say ENOUGH then praise when she stops.
• If her persists after several ENOUGHS then grab by collar and lift up slightly with one good shake and ENOUGH… then praise her.
• If she persists give 3-4 good shakes, march to corner holding collar in a DOWNSTAY 15-20 minutes.

 

Teaching COME

• Call puppy ONLY when you know she will come.
• Say MAYA COME and run in other direction.
• Give her short line walking a loose heel and ask her to come.
• Put dog on a long line or leash and ask her to come in high voice with open arms and treat.
• Apply pressure to line repeating command, but do NOT pull her to you.
• Do WITH distractions, too.
• Place her in a sit stay, praise her, move away then come back praise her again… do this 4-5 times. Then call her to come and praise her as she approaches then when close signal a SIT.
• NEVER CALL A PUPPY TO DISCIPLINE HER.

 

Teaching STAY

• Using a leash… put in SIT and tell him to STAY.
• Put open hand in front of ace.
• Take one step back and wait 30 seconds.
• Then OK and encourage him to come to you.
• If up gets up and walks to me, say NO and walk back to spot.
• Move back farther until get to end of the leash.
• Then try 1 minute, 3 minutes, etc.
• Then try with distractions i.e. making dinner, outside with kids, on walks, quite streets, etc.

 

Teaching WAIT.

• WAIT is taught by tone of voice.
• When doing something say WAIT then GOOD DOG when look sat me.
• Use when dog waiting to leave the park, jump into the car, going out the door, putting food on the floor, getting out of the car, I go first through doorways, etc.
• WAIT must be followed by OK.

 

Teaching DOWN

• With up in sitting position, get her attention with ball or toy and bring it down on ground 6 inches in front of her saying DOWN at the same time.
• Put light pressure on her shoulders while saying down, hold her down for a second then praise her.
• OR Kneel beside pup while she is in sit stay and reach left hand over shoulders and right hand under front legs. Lift up front legs up and out say dogs name and DOWN praising entire time.
  • Once down stroke shoulders, hold for 5-10 seconds give her OKAY.
  • If not down give her NO DOWN.
• Then from sit-stay with pup to left face her and practice with hand motion and from a distance.

 

Emergency Down

• Used to stop dog in her tracks in an emergency tone of voice no more than twice per week.
• Neal with dog, lean forward, slide your hand inside dog’s collar with treat close to her head and push hand (on neck NOT collar) straight to ground saying DOOOWN in a serious hushed tone.
• Don’t use an angry tone so she doesn’t associate with fear or anger.
• When she does, praise her and bring to a heel.
• Practice three of these within a half a block.

 

Teaching DOWN STAY.

• NO LEASH INSIDE FIRST.
• Put puppy in STAY then tell puppy DOWN.
• If not put hand behind front legs, pull and say DOOWWWN then GOOD GIRL.
• Then when puppy is comfortable tell puppy STAY and get up and back up a foot or so.
• Then try 10 seconds to 20 seconds to 30 seconds keeping hand on puppy’s back to correct her.
• Ask puppy to do this 4-5 times per day.
• NO TRY LEASH and move back farther until get to end of the leash.
• Then try 10 seconds to 20 seconds to 30 seconds keeping hand on puppy’s back to correct her.
• Then try with distractions i.e. making dinner, outside, on walks, quite streets, watching TV, etc.
• Then I can increase difficulty by walking around the pup, stepping over the pup, tossing stuff in front of her to see if she will got get it.

 

Teaching GO LIE DOWN.

• Put dog on a leash.
• Point to corner of room I’m in and say GO LIE DOWN.
• Run like mad with her to where I was pointing repeating GO LIE DOWN then good girl wit a final DOWN as you pat the floor in the corner of the room.
• Then pat dog and go across the room and sit down.
• After a few minutes say good boy as he approaches.
• Try each day 2-3 times per day.
• If lies down where we are and not where I want her say NO GO LIE DOWN.

 

Teaching STAND

• Get dog on feet any way you can saying STAND.
• Keep him on his feet brushing etc. saying STAND.
• Try for 5 minutes saying STAND.

 

Table Manners for Dinner

• Teach a dog to give up her food. Every time feed her make her WAIT then say OK good girl.
• Next time she eats hold her and say WAIT. When he looks up say OK GOOD GIRL.
• If dog breaks down stay during dinner the owner corrects the dog.
• Keep on leash during dinner with foot on leash initially and pushes her down with quick no.
• Release from down stay by OKAY.

 

Three Versions of LEAVE IT.

• Wait politely to take treats from your hand.
  • With dog sitting or lying down hold treat in hand up to her face.
  • Hold hand completely still and watch for her nose to move away.
  • Once she moves nose away open hand and give treat.
  • OR hold treat in hand on my forehead. When puppy moves nose away give treat from forehead and teaches her to look at me.
• Blocking her from getting to food on the ground.
  • Put puppy on leash tied to my waist puppy in SIT and drop treat behind me so she can see.
  • If she moves to treat block her from getting to it.
  • When she gives up and sits reward her.
  • Now, I step to side and drop treat in front of her and block her if she goes for treat. When she sits give her treat.
  • Practice until puppy consistently sits within a second of me blocking her.
  • Start using OK and LEAVE IT right after I drop the treat.
• Tossing food beyond range of the leash.
  • When she realized pulling won’t work and turns to me and sits reward her ASAP.
  • Don’t let her pull, move within range of treat while she sits then point to treat and say OK.
• Applying LEAVE IT to toys.
  • Toss toy out of range, don’t let her pull.
  • Give LEAVE IT CUE and if she stays seated give her treats.
  • Then move within range of toy, without her pulling, then point to toy and say OK.
• Applying LEAVE IT to waiting at the door.
  • Block puppy from going out the door.
  • When she sits reward with treats or petting.
  • Then give OK release word to walk through the door.

 

Leash Training

• After 1-2 weeks tie leash to my belt and have pup follow me everywhere.
• She should walk on left or right, but can put treat in front of her nose and she’ll walk with me.
• Reward her when I stop and she sits or when she walks at my side walking or running.
• TEACHING HEEL
  • Teach outside only and start with SIT STAY to either side.
  • Start walking slapping my leg saying MAYA HEEL and if he doesn’t keep up give quick jerk. Do NOT walk with constant tension, but can jerk up to 10X. THEN PUT HIM BACK IN HEEL POSITION EVEN WITH YOU AT YOUR SIDE SITTING READY TO START.
  • If no response quick jerk and repeat.
  • If puppy passes me give quick jerk NO, reverse direction and repeat.
  • Dog SIT when you stop.
  • Try off-leash with leash dropped where you can step on it if puppy gets away from you.
• Preventing Pulling.
  • Stick to one leash length.
  • Keep leash close to me at wrist and not stretching my arm out.
  • If puppy gets ahead then stop and wait for her to come back and sit… reward her.
• The three-step correction
  • Get her attention with a quick “pop” and NO then immediately release tension.
  • Give the command again and when pup responds praise.

 

Preventing Possessiveness (for toys, treats, food, etc.)

• During feeding, put pup on leash, have him sit and place food in front of her a few feet away. If she doesn’t wait lightly correct her.  If she waits 5-10 seconds let her begin her meal.  After she has started eating ask her to sit follow with a STAY and pick up the dish and wait 10 seconds.  If she has been patient say GOOD GIRL and give food bowl back.  DO NOT RETURN FOOD UNTIL PUP HAS SAT DOWN IN SIT STAY.
• GIVING TREATS GENTLY INVOLVES holding teat in closed hand and showing back of hand, then turn hand around as she takes biscuit gently. PRAISE HER.
• Each day practice taking nylon bone away and if she grabs say NO LEAVE IT. If still no discipline.

 

 

As I hope with all the blogs I write, maybe you’ll be able to take away one thing that will help you…

Have a great week everyone!!!

Sources

The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition). By Monks of New Skete

Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right. By Dr. Sophia Yin.

Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog. By Carol Lea Benjamin