- 3
Important Things to Remember When Training Your Puppy
- by: Dy Witt
Puppies are eager and willing
to do the right thing. They love your happy face and the squealy
noises you make when they have done something great. They will
do ANYthing to please you because of the loving rewards they
get from being a Good Dog. They just cannot get enough of your
praises and cuddles.
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Moving towards "What a Good
Dog!" from "Bad Puppy!" is based on one thing.
Your puppy does not know the English language, and the faster
he learns it, the better for all, because the minute he knows
what you want he will DO it. Make it faster and easier for him
to learn by keeping these tips in mind:
1. Be consistent in the words you choose to teach
him commands. If you say, "Wanna go potty?" in the
morning, and "Have to go out?" two hours later, and
"Wanna go pee?" two hours later, etc., then that is
THREE phrases you have asked him to learn in one day instead
of only one. Decide which words to use, and make sure everyone
in your family uses the same ones.
2. Use his name in the command if you want action,
do NOT use it if you want him restricted from action. This is
very important. Hearing his own name makes a puppy leap into
action by his very nature. When you want your puppy to come,
say, "Puppy, Come!" [insert his name instead of the
word Puppy, of course] When you want him to lie down, simply
say, "Down". |
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3. Do not confuse your puppy with the same words
for different commands. If you are teaching him basic obedience,
the word "Down" means LIE down, usually followed by
"Stay." If you don't want him on the couch, do not
say "Down", say, "Off." This word can be
used to keep him from jumping up into your lap, onto the couch,
chair or bed because it is the ACTION of jumping up you are trying
to restrict. Saying "Down" when he jumps onto the couch
will just make him lie down on the couch! See the difference?
Do not ever hit your puppy, you
don't need to. The worst punishment he ever needs to learn a
lesson is your sad frown and walking away from him. One or two
minutes is the limit though, do not overdo this. After a minute
of ignoring him, give a command he knows well and praise praise
praise, with a big smile.
These three tips, used with gentleness
and consistency, will teach your puppy all the words he needs
to know to be a happy and obedient companion in a matter of days.
Copyright 2006 |
