Basic Puppy Training

When to Begin
    Puppy training can begin at an early age, even as young as 8-12 weeks, and often goes much faster and smoother when the pup is young. Early training can help with important areas of puppy learning, including establishing leadership, socializing, and preventing unruly behaviors.

    To successfully train a puppy, it is important to use correct training methods. Puppies don't learn well with forceful training. In addition, too much force during your puppy's formative months can ruin your bond with your pet. Instead, use positive motivation to facilitate--rather than force--the training process. The biggest motivating factors for training and reinforcing obedient behavior are food, a favored toy, affection, and social attention.

Here's the How-To
    Generally, the healthiest choice for a reward is one piece of the puppy's own dry food, along with praise. Special treats are usually not necessary, and may lead to the addition of many calories to your puppy's body system. Training just prior to the puppy's routine dinner is an excellent time, as the puppy's interest in the food will be focused. Initally, the food reward should be given immediately following every correct response.

    As the pup gets better at performing the desired behavior, stop giving a food for less than exact responses, and only reward quick, well-performed responses. Once you reach your goal, continue to give praise for every correct response but only provide the food reward on an intermittent, random basis. This will render the longest retention of learning.

    Also, remember to use hand signals along with food rewards. A dog is more likely to respond to a double signal (verbal and visual) command, rather than only a verbal command.

Come
    Teaching your puppy to come when he is called is quite simple. Hold a piece of dry food out between your thumb and forefinger, extend it toward the pup, and say its name. As it approaches you, repeatedly wave your hand toward your chest and say "come." This gives your pet both verbal and visual cues to respond to. When it reaches you, give it the food and, as it eats, quickly take a few steps back and repeat the procedure. Over time, this method will prove successful in regular situations.             

Sit
    To teach your dog to sit on command, start with the puppy in the standing position. Hold a piece of dry food directly in front of its nose between your thumb and forefinger, and say the pet's name. Slowly move the food over the pet's head so that its nose points straight up. As the puppy's nose goes up, its rear end will naturally be leveraged into the sit position. Say "sit" as it assumes the position and give the food reward. Be careful not to hold the food lure too high above the pet's head, or it will jump up for the food. After some practicing, the pup will automatically sit when you sweep your hand in an upward movement and announce the verbal command, even without food.

Lie Down
    Teaching your pet to lie down on command is easier if the pup is on a smooth surface, such as tile or linoleum. Begin with the puppy in the sitting position. Hold a piece of dry food directly in fron of its nose. Say the pet's name and, with a swift movement, move the food down to the floor directly next to the puppy's front paws. As the pet slides into the down position, say "down," and give the food reward. This command usually takes a little more patience than the first two. be careful to move the food to the floor, right next to the paws. Otherwise if the food is five inches or more in front of the pup, it will probably stand up as it tries to get the food. With time, the downward sweep of your hand by itself will cause the pup to go into the down position.

Stay
    The stay command is the most difficult for the puppy to learn. Young puppies don't like to sit still for very long and love to follow people. Keeping this in mind will help you understand your puppy's actions, and you will be better able to train it. The best time to begin training is when your puppy is calm, possibly after a long walk or play session.

    Start with the puppy in the sitting position. Ask it to sit using a hand and a verbal signal, but no food. As soon as the puppy is sitting, lean toward the pup, and in a firm voice say "stay." Wait only one second, then return to your dog, calmly praise it, and give the food reward while the dog is still sitting. Repeat the command.

    Many owners will immediately walk away after giving the command, triggering the young pet to follow. gradually, you can request that the pup stay for longer and longer periods. f the pet strays from eye contact, calmly repeat "stay" in a serious tone as you lean toward it.

    Once the pet will succssfully stay for ten seconds at one step away, you can start working on distance. Slowly increase distance and time until your pet fully understands the concept.

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