| Who doesn't love an English Bulldog puppy? The little | | | | respond differently to training, and in some cases |
| ball of rolls that innocently sits next to you, looking | | | | need unique training. In subsequent articles we'll break |
| up at you as if you are a VIP can make anyone melt. | | | | down specifics for small and large breeds, but by and |
| In times like these, your little friend seems like a | | | | large, training is both necessary and you will |
| stuffed animal come to life. | | | | eventually learn what's best for your dog. It's |
| And then what's that smell? Where are my shoes? | | | | important to note that while some dogs respond |
| What is Gigi eating? And the dream is temporarily | | | | quickly and remember well, others are what you |
| shattered at the reality that this is a breathing | | | | might refer to as, "hard headed". Indeed there are |
| creature that was neither born perfect nor did she | | | | those dogs who feel as if you've beaten her when |
| come with an instruction manual. This is typically | | | | you reprimand her, while her sister might look at you |
| when you have to make a decision. Will I just let my | | | | as if to almost say, "is that the best you can give |
| new little friend get away with everything, or | | | | me?" |
| attempt to train her? | | | | Follow Through |
| Given that we've established that your puppy is not | | | | Do not give your dog a command if you do not |
| perfect, training is necessary. Even the best, most | | | | intend on following through with it. It only leads to |
| behaved puppy will need some training to grow into a | | | | confusion for your puppy, and it teaches her that |
| family pet who you aren't embarrassed to take out | | | | she doesn't always have to do what you say. |
| in public with you. A quick Internet search will | | | | 'Changing your mind' is dangerous ground both during |
| produce a plethora of information on the subject, | | | | training and as long as you live with her. It is not a |
| making it incredibly easy to be overwhelmed and give | | | | habit you want to get into. |
| in to the cycle of yelling at your dog who has now | | | | The Three-Second Rule |
| developed a taste for your shoes. | | | | Dogs have a bit of a short attention span and they |
| For the purposes of this and subsequent articles in | | | | live in the moment. When Gigi misbehaves, if you do |
| this training series, we'll be referring to young puppies, | | | | not catch her in the act, or better yet, right before |
| not grown dogs. Typically, a puppy is ready to be | | | | the deed has been done, if you wait to reprimand |
| weaned from his or her mother at eight weeks. | | | | her, she won't have understand why. After the fact |
| Some animals need more time than that, but it is | | | | discipline never works, you will just be left with a |
| rarely wise to separate a puppy from his or her | | | | confused animal. |
| mother earlier than that. Dog trainers and behaviorists | | | | Disciplining When You're Angry is a No-No |
| tend to be split on recommending what age to start | | | | You've no doubt heard of the Dog Whisperer. Cesar |
| training puppies. One source may say to start at | | | | Milan continually advocates being calm and assertive |
| sixteen weeks, giving your new pet time to adjust | | | | throughout her life and especially during training. Never |
| to his or her new home, hindered by few rules. | | | | discipline your dog when you are angry. Best-case |
| Another may advocate that training should start right | | | | scenario, she will be confused, worse, afraid. Yelling at |
| away. If you have ever brought home a new puppy, | | | | your puppy, while it may have your dog fearing you, |
| without even realizing it, you have probably gone | | | | she won't respect you. |
| with the latter view. Housebreaking, instructions on | | | | Dogs Can Be Distracted Too |
| which rooms are dog-friendly and which aren't, | | | | When Gigi isn't listening to a command, take a mental |
| feeding her at a specific time, making your dog sit | | | | step back and make sure that she understood you, |
| before eating, this is all part of training. | | | | and nothing is hindering her from listening to you. |
| Personally, I am an advocate for starting a training | | | | Stress, fear, or a number of distractions could lead to |
| program early, rather than waiting until your dog is | | | | her apparent disobedience, and not necessarily mean |
| four months or even six months old. In that time | | | | that Gigi is ignoring you. |
| that a puppy is adjusting to his or her new home, he | | | | It is most important to realize that training is a |
| or she is forming habits. By training early, you can | | | | process; one that takes time, patience and constant |
| avoid extra grief brought on by your puppy having | | | | repeating. Some dogs get it quickly and it stays with |
| to 'unlearn' behavior learned in her first few weeks in | | | | them, others are slow and resistant. Once you learn |
| a new home. This way she is told from day one | | | | which "type" your puppy is, you'll know the best way |
| what you feel is acceptable behavior. | | | | to train her. |
| Small dogs, large dogs, slow or high energy dogs will | | | | |