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