| All of us dream of parenting the perfect dog, a | | | | treat and praise. Pups do not recall what |
| pup that is a CGC or canine good citizen and is | | | | happened earlier so scolding him after an event is |
| well behaved and dependable at all times. Well | | | | of no use. |
| dreams do come true if the training is done with | | | | • Always call/use his name positively. |
| care and dedication. Remember pups learn from | | | | Never say "Bad TOM," or "No Tom," this will |
| day one and need to be taught what is right, | | | | cause confusion and the pup will think that if you |
| what is wrong, and proper socialization. | | | | call his name then it is something bad. The pup |
| Pups are like children, they need constant | | | | must associate his name with happy events like |
| supervision and training. Training a pup need not | | | | hugs, petting, walks, treats, and such. If this |
| be an ordeal all you need to keep in mind are a | | | | happens he will come willingly when you call out his |
| few simple rules: | | | | name. |
| • Until your pup learns you need to keep | | | | • Create a training schedule that is short |
| an eye on him at all times. When you cannot then | | | | and sweet say 10 minutes thrice a day. Long |
| you must crate him. Create a schedule for the | | | | repetitive lessons can be boring and the pup will |
| pup this will help the pup settle down quickly. The | | | | loose interest in learning. Make learning fun and use |
| schedule must include things like hourly bath | | | | trick training to teach commands like sit, down, |
| rooming visits, eating times, rest periods, walks, | | | | come and so on. |
| play time, training, and so on. A pup that has a | | | | • Bond with the pup and both of you will |
| busy day has no time to be bored and get into | | | | enjoy your lessons. The pup must look forward |
| mischief. | | | | to spending time with you and not avoid you by |
| • Teach the pup to respect you. Dogs | | | | running away or hiding. Be sure to socialize the |
| live in packs and instinctively follow a leader. If | | | | pup early. Socialization is one of the most |
| you establish your leadership in no uncertain terms | | | | important lessons. The pup must learn to be |
| then training will become easy as the pup will | | | | around other animals, people, sounds, vehicles, and |
| obey you at all times and not challenge your | | | | other activities. So, slowly introduce the pup when |
| authority. | | | | he is little to everyday activities and sounds. Take |
| • Use only positive training methods. | | | | him to the mall/ park, introduce him to children |
| Never shout at, hit, or punish a dog. It is not just | | | | and other pets, and make him unafraid of the |
| cruel but can lead to behavioral problems. Use of | | | | vacuum and garden hose. |
| electric shocks, prong collars, sprays, and so on | | | | • Learn all about crate training, leash |
| could hurt the animal. | | | | walking, house breaking, as well as food training. |
| • Teach the pup "nothing in life is free." | | | | These are kindergarten lessons that every pup |
| This is a system that is widely acknowledged as a | | | | must master. Know about all the idiosyncrasies as |
| useful training tool. If you practice this, the pup will | | | | well as peculiarities of the breed this will give you |
| learn that to get something like love, a walk, or | | | | valuable insights on how to successfully train the |
| treat, he must behave well. | | | | pup. |
| • Teach the meaning of "No," from day | | | | As a pet-parent you have many choices. You |
| one. Do not encourage behaviors like jumping, | | | | could choose to train the dog yourself or register |
| mouthing, tug-o-war, barking, or running out of | | | | at a professional training school. Training a dog has |
| open gates and doors. Praise good behavior and | | | | many stages: kindergarten, obedience training, |
| ignore or walk away when there is bad behavior. | | | | doggy sports, showing and conformation, as well |
| The pup will learn that if he misbehaves he will | | | | as other aspects like therapy dogs, hearing dogs, |
| loose his companion/playmate. | | | | and so on. What level you choose to train |
| • To correct a behavior you must catch | | | | depends on you as well as the learning abilities of |
| the pup in the act and startle him by rattling a can | | | | your dog. As you know, different dogs like |
| of pebbles. Once you have done this make him | | | | humans have varied talents. Choose well and both |
| correct his behavior and immediately offer him a | | | | you and your pup will have fun times together. |