| Formal obedience training should not be started | | | | the beginning, the alpha dog is their mother. When |
| before a puppy is 9 or 10 weeks old, but that isn't to | | | | you adopt a puppy, you must become the alpha dog, |
| say that training of any kind should be put off until a | | | | or the puppy WILL become the alpha dog because |
| puppy is 9 or 10 weeks old. Oh, no! Puppy training | | | | he knows that every pack must have a leader so |
| should start the very first day that you bring a | | | | that the pack survives. So first you must take |
| puppy home and make him a member of your family. | | | | charge of the puppy and teach him that you are the |
| You'll have started late if you wait until day two. | | | | alpha dog of the pack and that you will take care of |
| Puppies begin learning the day they are born. In the | | | | him - provided he behaves himself and follows the |
| early days, they learn from their mothers and they | | | | rules. |
| learn from their litter mates. It isn't long before they | | | | From day one, do NOT let your puppy nip at your |
| begin learning from whatever environment they are | | | | hands when you play. If he does (and he probably |
| living in. Haven't you ever seen a puppy approach a | | | | will), roll him over onto his back and firmly say "NO." |
| flower for the first time or seen his reaction the first | | | | Do not play games with your puppy that encourages |
| time he sees a butterfly? | | | | him to bark, no matter how cute he looks when he |
| Puppies, like all young creatures, learn constantly, and | | | | barks. Training begins at birth. Training continues the |
| they learn from everything and everybody that | | | | day you adopt and training continues for the life of |
| touches their lives. Puppies are just naturally curious, | | | | the dog. When should you start training you dog? |
| but they are also born with a strong survival instinct. | | | | NOW! |
| Puppies want to please the alpha dog in their pack. In | | | | |