Training Your Dog

Socialisation of Puppies
The socialisation period is the time the puppy learns to behave in a socially accepted manner. This period is between three and twelve weeks of age, which means that there is usually only another four weeks left of this very important time after you buy the pup. So we must make the most of this time, and this article will help you make your pup a happy, loveable, disciplined, obedient and well-balanced pet.

Sometimes good socialisation is provided at a very young age almost by accident. Some small breeders allow their pups to interact with the household because they are born inside the home. Most pups from pet shops are purchased from small breeders.

So how do you socialise your puppy successfully?

Rule 1: The pup must be immunised against Distempter, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Kennel Cough, and be revaccinated with boosters on the due date (at 12 weeks and 16 weeks).

Rule 2: Take your puppy everywhere you go, especially during the critical time between 8 and 12 weeks of age.

You will rewarded by having a dog which can cope with any situation, who loves being with you, but who is not overly excited or nervous about change - and is a pup that is easy to train!

Basic Training
Training of the well-socialised puppy is easy. Food rewards are used at first with dogs who have a normal health attidtude towards food. This method training is called positive reinforcement. Food is used as a reinforcer because it is natural and most effective - a small piece of meat is the best type of food.

The Advantages of Positive Reinforcement Are:

1. It develops an excellent relationship between your pup and yourself because it is never forced to respond against its will.
2. Your pup develops a bold, outgoing attitude because it never learns to fear you or its environment.

Although negative reinforcement can be used to modify behaviour, it is rarely needed in a properly trained puppy.

Rule 1: The lesson is held in a place free of distractions for 2-5 minutes, 1-3 times a day.

Rule 2: The lesson takes place when the puppy is keen for food (just before mealtime).

Rule 3: The food you select should be the puppy's favourite food.

Rule 4: Start lessons at 8 weeks of age.

Rule 5: Use three tones of voice when training:
Command - quick and hissing
Praise - light voice
Reprimand - harsh voice

Rule 6: Teach your pup 5 basic commands: sit, drop, stand, stay and come.

Rule 7: The first command is come. Reward the pup when he runs toward you as you move away calling "come" with food and repeat the process. When teaching the pup to sit or drop, get down to the level of the pup and reward with food when it sits (sometimes pushing the back down helps at first).

Rule 8: Teach the puppy to come and heal without a lead first, which teaches the puppy to enjoy healing and coming. Often the restraint imposed by the lead produces a frantic attempt of the puppy to free itself and causes anxiety. When starting the train with a lead, it becomes more of an ornament than anything else. When using a lead, it should be lightweight, 2 metre long lead placed in your left pocket and allowing a distinct loop to form between you and the pup.

Puppy Behaviour Problems
Boredom is the most frequent cause of behavioural problems in dogs.

Rule 1: Walk your dog or pup at least once a day for more than half an hour.

Rule 2: Exercise off the lead as much as possible as long as it is no danger to traffic.

Rule 3: Use a 3-4 metre long lead when you cannot walk your dog off the lead.

Rule 4: Visit different parks and walking areas for variety.

Rule 5: Train your dog regularly to give it some work to do.

Rule 6: Play with your dog regularly.

Rule 7: Mix your dog regularly with other dogs, preferably off the lead.

House Training
"What is the secret of successful house training?" House training should start before you even enter the house with your new puppy, by taking the puppy to the area you want it to use. Let him explore the area and if he obliges by urinating or defecating, praise him and give him a small piece of food. Inevitably, one or two accidents will happen, because at 8 weeks of age your puppy has little bladder or bowel control, but it will quickly develop over the next 4 weeks. Do not punish the puppy for "using the toilet" in the house, but put it outside whilst you clean the area thoroughly and deodorise to eliminate the urine smell. Do not use ammonia cleaners.

Rule 1: Take your puppy out to toilet frequently while he is awake, and immediately after eating or sleeping.

Rule 2: Let it walk to the door to establish the pattern of going to the door when it needs to go out.

Rule 3: Reinforce your puppy with praise and a piece of food when he toilets outside.

Rule 4: Never punish your puppy for a mistake; clean thoroughly and be more observant next time.

Puppy-Mouthing and Biting

Rule 1: Provide rawhide chews and put shoes, pot plants, etc., out of reach.

Rule 2: Avoid loose or flapping garments or shoes whilst the pup is young.

Rule 3: Never tease or play rough with your pup.

Rule 4: Pat the puppy when he is quiet after exercise, rather than in the excitement of a home-coming.

Rule 5: Punishing your pup for biting only increases the aggression of a bold puppy and makes a fearful pup even more timid.

Digging Holes
Dogs dig holes to bury bones, to keep cool or to escape from boredom or confinement. Boredom is the most common cause of digging holes (refer to boredom section).

Rule 1: Take away left over bones after 15 minutes.

Rule 2: Have free access to a cool area.

Rule 3: Take your puppy for walks daily with at least some time off the lead and making sure he has regular time with the family.

Jumping Up
All you have to do is avoid promoting the jumping behaviour when it is most likely to occur, for example, when the pup runs to greet you or when you pat or stroke your pup.

Rule 1: As the dog approaches you for whatever reason, place your hand containing a piece of food at the dog's nose level. Do not dangle your hands above the dog's head, as this will only generate more jumping problems.

Rule 2: Encourage children to move around with their hands low, offering bits of food to the pup from time to time when all his four feet are on the ground.

Car Sickness
Anxiety is the most common cause of car sickness, and the best way of prevention is to teach your pup to enjoy the car and the trip.

Rule 1: Feed your dog in the stationary car, allowing the dog to jump into the car.

Rule 2: Take the dog for short rides on an empty stomach after it is happy to hop into the stationary car. Make the trip to a park or some other pleasurable place.

Copyright © 2002 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.