subject: Puppy Training & Tips [print this page] Here are a few tips to help you get started with your new pup. Remember, your pup is still a baby, so be consistent and patient and you will do fine. When you work with your pup, work with a lot of praise (good boy/girl) and treats!!!!!! If you need to correct him/her, say NO in a firm voice and say what you want him/her to do (sit) then praise and give him/her a cookie. The same goes for that dreaded chewing stage, say NO in a firm voice then hand him/her one of his/her toys and praise him/her when they play with the toy. For jumping, say NO DOWN and bring my knee up to knock them off, have him/or sit, then praise them for sitting. Puppies are cute and it doesn't hurt at this point when they jump on you, but, when they get to be 70 or 80 lbs and knock down an elderly person or small child it will not be cute and someone will get hurt, so it is best to stop that habit now then to wait.
When you do your obedience work, use one-word commands (sit, heel, here). When you are correcting them use NO as correction then your command word.
Housebreaking: When you first get your pup home, let him/her eliminate outside before bringing him/her in the house. (Don't forget the praise!). At this point, your pup should be able to go 45-60 minutes at a time before needing to go outside. If your pup has been playing a lot with you, he/she may need to go out more often. This also applies, if your pup has had a lot of water. Their attention span is small and they occasionally forget where the bathroom is!! Always take the pup out the second he/she wakes up. If the pup has been asleep, carry them out. If they are just out loose with you, you can say their "name" outside, come let's go outside. Remember, always take pup to same area to eliminate, then, praise them for going. NEVER play with the pup until he/she has eliminated, then go to a different area to play. This will help them know that they don't play in the area they eliminate; they are out there to do a job!! NEVER leave your pup unattended. This is how housebreaking and chewing problems occur.
If you can't have your eyes on them, put him/her in their crate. It is not a punishment to put them in their crates; they learn to feel it is a safe place.
Crate Training: When first start crate training, the pups go out every 30-60 min. and immediately after napping or eating- and this will increase with age and their bladder control. Do not leave food or water in the crate. This will only cause unwanted accidents. Put a sheet or old towel in with your pup. At this point, they are not chewing on them. If they start doing that, you may need to put in newspaper (which they will shred!). They are also used to having toys in their crates. (Kong, hard chew toys, nylabones) At this age, it should be easy to have them eat wherever it is easy for you. They love to eat!! Important thing to remember when crate training NEVER use the crate as a punishment. Your pup should feel like this is his/her den or safe place.
Leash Work: When you first start leash work, most pups will resist. Make it fun and only work a couple of minutes. If the pup struggles, let him/her finish their tantrum then in a happy voice say heel and tug a little on the leash as you start to walk. (Use lots of treats) When you heel, have to pup on your left side. Give the command "sit". Then, say their name and Heel and start walking with your left foot first. If the pup resists while walking, keep walking, tug a little on the leash and say NO heel, pup should start heeling again and you will say GOOD HEEL. You can repeat good heel several times while practicing. When you are ready to stop, slow down a little, stop on left foot first, then the right foot last. Give the command sit; pull up with leash, down with left hand while saying sit. When your pup has finished his/her vaccinations, start them in a puppy obedience class. This is the best way for you to learn obedience work, so you can continue to work well with your pup. It is also good for continued socialization with your pup.
Retrieving Work: Start the 7 wks old pups in the house in a short hallway with bedroom doors closed. This is the easiest way to get them started learning the command "here", and to pick up the bumper. When throwing the bumper for the pup, make sure you get them excited by saying "hey, hey, hey, hup, hup" and let them see the bumper before throwing it low to the ground. Only throw it a couple of feet out and only do this 2-3 times. You still want them to be excited about the bumper when you finish. If you over do it you will make them stale/bored and they will lose interest. When you throw the bumper, make sure they see it and say their name to "send" them. When they have picked up the bumper, say "Good, here, here". Sometimes they drop it on the way back or as they get to youthat is ok as long as they continue to come to you. It is hard at this age with their balance and teething to get the bumper back to you every time. As the pup matures, they will be able to go out further for the bumper, and hold the bumper in their mouths, so be patient and have fun!!!
Please make sure you finish your puppy vaccinations, this is so important, especially if you are going to have your pup around other pets and people. (Yes, the people can carry viruses from their pets to yours), so please be careful. Spring is "Parvo season", so be extremely careful during this time.
