Posts Tagged ‘Puppy Training Tips’
Puppy Training – How To Teach Your Puppy “Down”
As you start your puppy training session, put your puppy in the Sit position.
Hold a motivator to your puppy’s nose and let her smell it.
When she is really interested with what you have by licking or pawing at your hand, slowly lower your hand to the ground. Aim your fist between her front paws.
When your hand is on the ground and your puppy’s nose is also to the ground, her body will collapse to the ground.
Her chest must be touching the floor.
————————————————————–
————————————————————–
Once she is in the down position, say “Down,” and give her the motivator while she stays in this position.
Puppies are smart – they will learn it is to their advantage to get into the down position to get the reward.
If your dog resists the Down command during puppy training and stands back up, put her back in the Sit position and again work the Down command.
Initially when puppy training, it is far easier for pups to go into a down from a sit position rather than from a stand position.
What You Need To Know When Puppy Training – Part 1
Whatever your pup’s pedigree and whatever your goals for him, when it comes to puppy training they’re still an emotionally immature animal.
At the same time, no two pups are exactly alike and what works for one puppy is not necessarily best for another. You must constantly be aware of your pup’s personality and of how you can get him to pay attention to you.
However, there are some general characteristics of puppy training that are important to working with all puppies. These are basic principles which should be adapted by you as the basis of working with your puppy.
————————————————————–
————————————————————–
Do not get tough: Emotionally and psychologically, the puppy is still extremely sensitive. This means that learning takes place quickly, but also that fears can easily occur and inhibit learning. Pups cannot take pressure or harsh treatment. Repetition is the key to puppy training.
Never punish him if he does not do what you want him to do. This will defeat the purpose of the training and cause him to dislike the entire procedure.
Bad behavior during puppy training sessions is more often than not a sign of the pup’s lack of confidence or understanding of what you want him to do.
Therefore, many repetitions will be needed.
Keep it simple: A puppy learns to do things in a step-by-step manner.
For example, in teaching him to stay, do not expect him to stay put for several minutes at a time while you are off someplace away from him. You must first teach him to stay while you stand toe-to-toe in front of him, then to stay when you are standing a couple of feet out in front of him, then to stay while you walk around him, then to stay while you are standing several feet away and not holding on to the leash.
Many pups will take several weeks to progress through these steps, but they are necessary if you want to teach “Stay” effectively. If you tell him to do something before you have properly trained him to do it and then scold him for not doing it, you are asking for trouble. The pup will lose his confidence and will learn not to try.
Be brief: Puppies have a very short attention span. A pup learns only while he is paying attention to you, so it does not accomplish anything to keep on puppy training when he is mentally tired even though physically he is still very lively.
Five minutes at a time is long enough. With many puppies, two minutes is long enough to begin with, gradually moving up to five minutes.
Build confidence: Your puppy needs confidence-building as well as discipline and he will constantly be telling you by his body language which one he needs more at any particular time. Relax while you are with him; smile; speak in a pleasant voice; play running games with him.
In puppy training, building confidence means knowing what you expect from your pup.
Puppy Training: Tips And Tricks
Puppies and dogs are such caring and loving beings; their biggest goal is to make you, their master, happy. By nature puppies want to do what you want them to do. The biggest problem with this is the communication barrier.
Dogs can not speak nor can they understand our spoken language. However, through body language, observation, our attitude, and the sounds we make (or words) he will begin to understand what it is we want him to do.
So how do we use this to our advantage? We must do the same things over and over. Repetition will of the same words, body language, and action will help your puppy understand what it is you want him to do.
Plus if you reward him with anything ie lots and lots of praise, a belly rub, a scratch on the head, or a small biscuit he will begin to want to do those things for your attention.
————————————————————–
————————————————————–
Now how to we take this and apply it to our training? Simple, decide on a plan and STICK to it. I am amazed at how many pet owners decide on a puppy training plan only to dismiss it and begin another repeatedly, until the puppy is so confused that it will take longer and a lot harder work to train him.
Does it matter what technique or plan we choose? Yes and no. It does not matter because as long as you choose one and stick to it you will be able to train your puppy.
However, it does matter because if you decide on one that requires you to be home 24/7 but you work 8 hours a day, then that plan will not work for you or your puppy.
What are some different techniques I can use? Let me share some basic training techniques with you that should help train your puppy.
But remember not all of these techniques will work for all of you. You must take a look at each plan and then at your own personal situation and see if it matches well.
Technique #1: Potty training
This technique does not actually refer to training your dog to use the toilet (we wish) but is actually teaching him where to go potty.
First you need to decide on where you want him to potty, I am a big fan of outside, but if you are in an apartment you can choose elsewhere.
Then all you need to do is after you pooch eats or drinks, and I mean every time, you need to take him to this designated area until he relieves himself.
Then give him lots of praise and release him.
Technique #2: Sitting
This one is a favorite of mine to teach, it does not take too much work and just about anyone can do it. Your puppy probably already knows that certain things taste better then others, so for this you will need a few tasty treats for him.
Then you let him sniff the treat for a second.
Then you lift the treat about 6 inches over his noise and say sit. Most of the time your puppy will sit in the process of following the treat, then you want to praise him making sure you mention sit again and give him the treat.
After doing this a few times a day, for a week or so, your puppy should be ready to sit without a treat and will eventually sit for you when ever you ask.
For more tips visit Training Puppies for house training techniques or crate training.
Article Source: ArticleSpan