DOG TRAINING INFORMATION FOR A NEW PUPPY DOG OWNER
By Dr Kavita Raut,Pet consultant ,Patna & Dr.Chandrakala Sinha,Canine consultant, Patna
Training-———-
Regardless of whether you decide to teach your puppy tricks, puppies should be taught some basics first in order to encourage a positive introduction into their new home. Your training program should start as early as possible.
When you train the pup, the first thing to remember is to have a consistent temperament. The animals do not like unpredictable and inconsistent temperaments. The training should be gradual and gentle. Avoid yelling, grabbing, kicking during training. Do not start the training immediately after a full meal. A pup should be well nourished and healthy to learn new tricks. Too ambitious training programme will not be successful. The dogs can be trained to conduct, to herd sheep and cattle, to lead the blind etc. They can be trained to become watch dogs, hunting partners and sniffer dogs to solve the crimes or to detect explosives, drugs etc. Please always remember that the dogs habits, good or bad, are ^S? acquired through training from the master. If you earn the friendship and trust of a pup in its early life, you can train it whatever way you want without any problem. But it is very important to earn the trust of your pet. The training can start with a few simple commands like to walk on the leash without pulling, to sit or to come to you when called.
Training a pup can be a good experience for the owner as well as the pup.
A proper time preferably before feeding is ideal for training. Open air or indoors are equally ideal for training depending on the weather. Walk a few paces from the pup and call it by name. The hearing of a pup is very sharp, so make the tone appealing. Once the pup comes to you do it again by moving away from it. When the pup comes to you promptly a pat or a hug is reward enough for it to learn faster. It can also be treated with a small snack as a reward for obeying the command.
Making the pet to walk on leash may be slightly difficult job as the pup would like to run and pull you along when it comes outdoors. Always keep the pup on your left
side. Be firm when it is trying to pull you. Make it understand that a steady pace is what is expected of it. The leash between you should be slack.
12 Very Useful Dog Training Tips———-
1. Understand that a puppy is an infant dog – not a miniature adult.
2. 2. Puppy-proof your house with baby gates, a crate, and/or a pen.
3. 3. Dogs are not born understanding English
4. 4. Learn about dog body language.
5. 5. Train with high-value treats.
6. 6. Catch your dog being good.
7. 7. He’s a dog, not a human.
8. 8. Dogs do the things that we reinforce
9. 9. Learn to be quick with treats and praise.
10. 10. Always be happy when your dog comes to you, whether you called him or not.
11. 11. Keep a positive attitude.
12. 12. Provide the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation.
Teaching simple obedience lessons—————–
Housebreaking your dog
This is the first basic obedience lesson for every dog. The dogs can learn it easily just when they are old enough to walk. The dogs will take it easily as they are naturally fastidious animals. Your dog is as interested as you are regarding cleanliness. Even the puppy will not mess up its bedding. The first rule in housebreak-ing your dog is to familiarize it with the house and the boundaries. Keep it on a regular feeding and exercise schedule.
Follow the four steps:
a) Tie the puppy near its bed for the first few days. Dogs don’t like wet bedding, so look at it as often as possible.
b) Take it out as frequently as you can but definitely after its meals, sleep or play and in between, if possible.
c) When the puppy goes out and relieves itself appreciate it and pat it. It will make it understand that it did a right thing.
d) Gradually reduce the number of outside trips. Now the puppy can be kept free without tied up. By this time it will mingle with the family and still not wet the carpets.
Training the dog to “heel “————–
Heel is a basic lesson in dog’s training. It determines its adaptability to other lessons. It is essential that the pup learns to heel very well. This lesson should wait till the pup overcomes some of its curiosity and playfulness. It will learn more quickly and it will be less frustrating at that time.
a) Introduce your pup to collar and leash as soon as it overcomes its inquisitiveness.
b) Start with the pup on your left side and hold the end of the leash in your right hand. The left arm should hold the middle of the leash of your side. Start walking at a comfortable pace giving the command to heel. The pup may wander from side to side in the beginning, but keep on training it and repeat the command as you progress.
c) During the next few days keep the pup closer to your side. Don’t pull it if it lags behind. Give short, quick jerks repeating the command. Each walking can last for about 15 minutes. At the end of the walking you can reward the pup with a small treat to encourage it.
d) When the pup learns to heel consistently, it is time for the next lesson. It should adjust its pace to yours. Teach it to take the turns to left or to right, always keeping the correct position. Be patient. In case it fails, train it repeatedly and appreciate when it does things the right way.
Teaching the dog to “sit ‘ and ‘lie down“———————
These are the most important obedience lessons that will make the dogs life easy to dwell with the family. When well trained, it will respond to the commands “sit” or “lie down” even when it is running at full speed. You will find it very easy ,to successfully train your dog even without previous experience by just remembering the 3 R’s of dog training :
Reason, Repetition and Reward.
a) Teaching the dog to sit is an easy job. To train the dog to sit, hold the leash close to the collar with your right hand and push the rear of the dog with the left hand saying “sit”. It will understand the command and this can be repeated a few times to make it understand the command. Remember, the pets like a soft voice.
b) While walking at heel, give the command “sit”, pull the leash upwards with the right hand and push downwards on the dog’s hind quarters with your left.
c) When the dog learns the lesson on tight leash, gradually make the dog do it on loose leash and then without leash. Appreciate it and give it a small treat at the end of every successful lesson.
d) After the “sit” command, it is time for it to learn “lie down”. Start with the sitting command and then command it to lie down. Kneel beside the dog and pull down the leash forcing it down
e) Don’t pat your dog when it responds to lie down. (this makes it want to get up again). The appreciation can be showed by way of a small treat put on the ground so that it need not move to get it.
Training the dog to stay—————-
a) The training should start with a small mattress or wooden box over which you can command your dog to sit or lie down. This will effectively confine it to a small area.
b) Tell it to stay. This command should accompany hand gestures. Repeat the command and gesture while walking around the dog. Correct it if it starts moving. Don’t pat or touch it when it obeys.
c) After the dog has mastered the command while you are close to it, repeat the training by gradually moving away from it. Always remember patting the dog will make it to get up. So, do not pat or reward till the end of the training session.
d) Slowly go out of sight telling the dog to stay. Watch it from where it cannot see you. In case it moves reappear to correct it. Once it has mastered the command, leave it undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes intervals. At the end of the session, reward your dog with a light snack.
Training the dog to “come”———————
a) With dog in stay position command it to come to you using its name. For example, “Tommy come on”. Give short jerks on long leash to make the dog come to you.
b) Later dispense off leash. Call it by the name and it will come running to you. Use the leash in case it hesitates to obey instantly.
Teaching the dog to “fetch”——————-
The word “fetch” is an asset in training a dog. The dog will hear it only when it is used as a command. It is a well distinct one word command and hence can be picked up by the dog very easily and obeyed. Any command to be used on a dog should be short and distinctive. Some dogs naturally retrieve objects around the house as a game, but training the dog to fetch things will be very useful in outdoor type of activity. It also forms a basis for further training such as tracking, retrieving and following a scent etc. Even for the dogs which stay in urban areas, it is fun to teach it to fetch because both the dog as well as the owner will enjoy it as a game.
a) When the dog is in ‘sit ‘ position, force it to take a rubber dumbbell in its mouth. Repeat the command “take it”. Hold dogs mouth around the object while saying the command.
b) When the dog has learned to hold the dumbbell in its mouth without assistance to close its mouth, try other objects like newspapers, gloves etc. You may also practice walking it while its holding the object.
c) Hold a familiar dumbbell a few inches in front of its mouth. Command it to take. As you command jerk its head towards object with leash, The practice should continue till it takes the object from your hand and then from the ground without a jerk or a leash.
d) Ultimately throw the object on ground, a few feet in front of you and command to take and fetch it. If necessary, give a jerk on leash. After several sessions of practice, remove the leash and use only a single command ‘fetch ‘.
Teaching the dog “down”———————
Young pups are naturally playful and affectionate. So, it is essential to teach them repeatedly not to jump on people. This can be taught as soon as possible by registering disapproval of their behaviour.
a) It is better to make a dog ‘sit ‘ in anticipation when it tries to jump on people or when it runs towards the guests. Have a nice word with it when it obeys.
b) When a dog has already acquired the habit of jumping on to the people, it is essential to push it down gently saying “down” in a firm voice. You have to enlist the cooperation of your family members and friends if you have to succeed in teaching the dog to sit down and not jump on to the people.
Teaching the dog to “sit up”————————–
a) Have the pup sit and pull upwards on leash with your right hand gesturing with the left, repeating command “sit up”. Hand gestures are important to prevent confusion with command sit.
b) Practice this command without leash as it gets accustomed.
Teaching it to “Roll over”———————–
a) Start with ‘sit and ‘lie down ‘ command. Swing your left arm in circular motion, saying ‘roll over ‘. Push it over with your right hand the first few times to show the dog.
b) Make ‘roll over ‘ seen like a game. End lesson with ‘sit up ‘ and reward it with a treat.
Teaching the pup to ‘Jump Stick “-——————
a) Hold a stick in right hand, fairly low to the ground, resting one end against a chair give command ‘Jump ‘ giving jerk upward on the leash with your left hand.
b) If necessary, step across the stick yourself with left leg urging the pup with leash.
c) After this reward it with a treat.
Breaking Bad Habits———–
Early prevention in your pups life is the best to prevent it from acquiring any bad habits.
Too much barking-——————-
i) let it bark once or twice when someone comes to the door; then say ‘no ‘ and take it to its bed.
ii) If it already has the habit, get a friend to ring the door bell if the pup barks more than once or twice, scold it with ‘no ‘ and send it to its bed. Repeat if necessary.
Biting or Nipping-—————–
i) When your dog is a pup, be stern about chewing objects like furniture,rugs etc. Give it one or two toys. Tell it these are the ones it can chew on.
ii) If it is an older dog, substitute toys for its nipping. When it comes towards you looking as if it may nip, reach out to pet it and give it a toy. If it persists scold it and send to bed.
Sleeping on furniture—————–
i) Give the pup a comfortable bed to prevent it from using the sofa.
ii) If it has the habit, educate by scolding with a big ‘no ‘ when you find it on the chair.
Show its bed if you find it on any furniture.
Car Chasing———————–
Your dog may have sporting inclination and take up chasing motor cars, motor cyclists and bicyclists. This should be frowned upon and steps taken to stop such activity. The best way of course, is to keep the dog on a leash when in the street.
i) Tie a twenty feet rope to the dog, not simply around its neck but attaching it to the animal by a harness and holding the other end firmly.
ii) When the dog next runs after a car it will be suddenly pulled up as soon as it has run the distance and the shock will probably pull it off its feet.
1. Choose your dog’s name wisely and be respectful of it. Of course you’ll want to pick a name for your new puppy or dog that you love, but for the purposes of training it also helps to consider a short name ending with a strong consonant. This allows you to say his name so that he can always hear it clearly. A strong ending (i.e. Jasper, Jack, Ginger) perks up puppy ears—especially when you place a strong emphasize at the end.
If he’s an older dog, he’s probably used to his name; however, changing it isn’t out of the question. If he’s from a shelter, they may neglect to tell you that he has a temporary name assigned to him by staff. If he’s from a breeder, he’ll come to you with a long name, which you may want to shorten, or change. And if he’s coming out of an abusive situation, a new name may represent a fresh start. But we’re lucky: dogs are extremely adaptable. And soon enough, if you use it consistently, he will respond to his new name.
New name or old, as much as possible, associate it with pleasant, fun things, rather than negative. The goal is for him to think of his name the same way he thinks of other great stuff in his life, like “walk,” “cookie,” or “dinner!”
2. Decide on the “house rules.” Before he comes home, decide what he can and can’t do. Is he allowed on the bed or the furniture? Are parts of the house off limits? Will he have his own chair at your dining table? If the rules are settled on early, you can avoid confusion for both of you.
3. Set up his private den. He needs “a room of his own.” From the earliest possible moment give your pup or dog his own, private sleeping place that’s not used by anyone else in the family, or another pet. He’ll benefit from short periods left alone in the comfort and safety of his den. Reward him if he remains relaxed and quiet. His den, which is often a crate, will also be a valuable tool for housetraining.
4. Help him relax when he comes home. When your puppy gets home, give him a warm hot water bottle and put a ticking clock near his sleeping area. This imitates the heat and heartbeat of his litter mates and will soothe him in his new environment. This may be even more important for a new dog from a busy, loud shelter who’s had a rough time early on. Whatever you can do to help him get comfortable in his new home will be good for both of you.
5. Teach him to come when called. Come Jasper! Good boy! Teaching him to come is the command to be mastered first and foremost. And since he’ll be coming to you, your alpha status will be reinforced. Get on his level and tell him to come using his name. When he does, make a big deal using positive reinforcement. Then try it when he’s busy with something interesting. You’ll really see the benefits of perfecting this command early as he gets older.
6. Reward his good behavior. Reward your puppy or dog’s good behavior with positive reinforcement. Use treats, toys, love, or heaps of praise. Let him know when’s he’s getting it right. Likewise, never reward bad behaviour; it’ll only confuse him.
7. Take care of the jump up. Puppies love to jump up in greeting. Don’t reprimand him, just ignore his behavior and wait ’til he settles down before giving positive reinforcement. Never encourage jumping behavior by patting or praising your dog when he’s in a “jumping up” position. Turn your back on him and pay him no attention.
8. Teach him on “dog time.” Puppies and dogs live in the moment. Two minutes after they’ve done something, it’s forgotten about. When he’s doing something bad, try your chosen training technique right away so he has a chance to make the association between the behavior and the correction. Consistent repetition will reinforce what’s he’s learned.
9. Discourage him from biting or nipping. Instead of scolding him, a great way to put off your mouthy canine is to pretend that you’re in great pain when he’s biting or nipping you. He’ll be so surprised he’s likely to stop immediately. If this doesn’t work, try trading a chew toy for your hand or pant leg. The swap trick also works when he’s into your favorite shoes. He’ll prefer a toy or bone anyway. If all else fails, break up the biting behavior, and then just ignore him.
10. End training sessions on a positive note. Excellent boy! Good job, Jasper! He’s worked hard to please you throughout the training. Leave him with lots of praise, a treat, some petting, or five minutes of play. This guarantees he’ll show up at his next class with his tail wagging—ready to work!
Reference: On request.
