More Tricks for You and the Dog
Dog Training: More Dog Training Tips To Add To Your Arsenal
You want your puppy to love you and respect you, to know his place in the family, and feel secure and happy in it, right? Well doing so takes encouragement and lots of loving praise. Following the advice below and your puppy will be a happy one.
For one thing, don’t be stingy. When you’re puppy does something right, let him know it. The first time the little light bulb goes off in his head connecting the word "sit" to the lowering of his rump if you watch, you can see the workings of his mind in his eyes - be ready to tell him he’s the most perfect, smartest, beautiful, and well-loved puppy in the whole history of the world the instant that little puppy-butt hits the ground, pat him and stroke him.
At other times, your puppy won’t be perfect, and you need to correct his bratty behavior. Remember: Let the punishment fit the crime. A verbal correction, properly timed and correctly delivered, is the gentlest. Done properly, this type of correction may be all you need in most puppy-raising situations. Here are few more ways to send a clear message of disapproval:
1. The ol’ switcheroo. Especially useful for the young puppy, this technique stops a behavior you don’t want and provides the puppy with one that’s acceptable. For example, if your young puppy’s chewing on your nice leather shoes, make a noise to startle and distract him - slap the counter or clap your hands - and then give him something you do want him to chew on, a toy. When he takes it, praise him!
2. Ask for another behavior. With older puppies, you can stop a bad behavior by asking for a better one. Tell the puppy who’s jumping up "no" and then "sit" - and praise him for doing so. Tell him once, and if he does not - to be fair, be sure that he understands what you want - gently push him into a sit, and then praise.
3. The big squirt. Get an inexpensive plastic squirt bottle and fill it with water and something distasteful - lemon juice or vinegar, a tablespoon or so to a 12-ounce bottle. Tell your puppy "no" and then squirt. Try to hold the bottle close to your side so the stream seems to be coming from nowhere.
4. The time out. This technique has two levels, and you need to pay attention to your puppy to choose the appropriate correction. Puppies thrive on your attention, even if it’s negative. The time out removes this reward and gives him a few minutes to think things over: "Oh, I can’t stay with them if I do that!" he’ll realize.
This technique is especially good for a puppy who doesn’t want to keep his mouth to himself, a bad habit for any dog to get into where people are concerned. When the puppy starts nipping, tell him "no," and them clam up, pick him up, and put him in his crate for five minutes. Ignore the cries and whimpers. After a few minutes, let him out without much fanfare and let him hang out with you gently for a while.
To assist with your training, read Treat Your Dog to Biscuits.
