| In the past, dogs under 6 months old were not put | | | | 4) The Down - Start this command the same was as |
| into training classes. There were even trainers who | | | | you began the 'sit' command. At this point, you |
| believed that a puppy who was 12 months old was | | | | should hide the food from your puppy by covering it |
| just the right age to begin training. Today's popular | | | | with your open hand (palm down). He will try |
| belief is that the dog's first few months are the best | | | | different things in order to get the treat. He may not |
| and most important time to start training. The | | | | see it, but he will still smell the food. Your puppy will |
| following are some reasons to begin training early. | | | | then likely try to move your hand away from the |
| Puppies wake up every day ready to learn | | | | food by nudging it with his nose. After this, the |
| whatever you will teach them. | | | | puppy will see that by lying down his task will be |
| Puppies have no opinion of certain situations and | | | | made easier. As soon as your puppy lies down, while |
| actions. Because of this, they are able to learn things | | | | he is in this position, command him 'down', and give |
| rather quickly. | | | | him praise and a reward for his good behavior. |
| They will pick up on and learn what is good and | | | | 5) The Recall - The recall command is one of the |
| bad and what earns them praise, whether we try to | | | | most important that a puppy can learn. It is |
| teach them or not. | | | | important for his safety and for his behavior around |
| Puppies can be trained into charming and | | | | others. While the dog is ready to learn commands |
| obedient pets, primarily because they have no bad | | | | such as sit, and down, he can also learn the recall |
| habits for the trainer to overcome. | | | | command. Have another person kneel on the ground |
| While there are many ways that you can train your | | | | and hold on to the dog. Kneel or sit on the floor a |
| dog, I always prefer the kindest method. The | | | | yard or two away from your dog. To get the |
| following is a quick summary of training tips for | | | | puppy's attention, you can put both of your hands |
| puppies. | | | | out in front of you. Command your dog to 'come'. |
| 1) Opportunity Training - Without the puppy ever | | | | Before your helper releases the dog, make sure that |
| understanding that it is a "training session", you begin | | | | you have the full attention of the puppy. When your |
| to train him. | | | | puppy is running, use lots of excitement while |
| 2) Attention Training - Before I give a new | | | | commanding him again to "Come". Immediately give |
| command, I wait until the puppy is actually doing | | | | him his reward upon arrival. Only teach your puppy |
| what I am going to command him to do. I then | | | | one command at a time. Do not try to make him lay |
| introduce him to the "Watch" command as he is | | | | down, sit, or stop at the same time. Repeat the |
| waiting to receive his reward. Because puppies have | | | | same exercise as many times as needed until the |
| a very short attention span, you must reward him | | | | puppy understands it. |
| immediately. | | | | It is important to know that the youngest of puppies |
| 3) The Sit - Get the attention of your puppy by | | | | can learn a lot very fast. Puppies can learn quite |
| allowing him to sniff the treat that you are holding as | | | | quickly with the aid of proper skill and a positive |
| you kneel. Raise your hand slightly higher than your | | | | attitude. The real benefit to training it that it helps to |
| puppy's head. Since it will be simpler for the puppy to | | | | build a dogs confidence in it's owner and allows it to |
| see the tidbit while sitting, he will do so. After the | | | | bond to that person. Training exercises should be fun. |
| pup is sitting, praise him and give him the sit | | | | The dog should feel playful and relaxed while learning. |
| command. Do this only after the puppy is performing | | | | If it is fun for the puppy, he or she will WANT to |
| the correct behavior. This sequence may need to be | | | | learn more things. |
| repeated 9 or 10 times. | | | | |