BASIC OBEDIENCE FOR YOUR PUPPY
THE BENEFITS OF TRAINING
Training your puppy...
Establishes you as the pack leader this will curtail behavior problems by setting up a line of communication that your
puppy understands. Training also gives your puppy something to do and increases the bond between you and your
four-legged friend.
Many puppies who are not taught the simplest of commands become unruly, unmanageable dogs that wind up in
shelters or worse. Please take the time to teach your puppy these basic exercises...
So Let’s Begin!
GENERAL TRAINING TIPS
Below are some general training tips to remember when training:
* I find it easiest and most enjoyable to train with food. Use small, soft treats (such as sliced hot dogs or string cheese).
Soft treats make swallowing much easier for the puppy. If your puppy does not seem interested in food, try scheduling
your training sessions before mealtime or use more enticing treats. Bait bags, which can be purchased at your local pet
supply store, will make your treats easily accessible.
* When training with food, it is important to only give your puppy treats during a training session or when he’s asked to
do something. Eventually you can even ask him to "SIT" before you put his bowl down at mealtimes.
* Use a buckle collar made of nylon or fabric and a leash made of nylon or leather when first training your puppy. The
collar should fit snugly behind the puppy’s ears so that it cannot slip off. The leash should be between 4 and 6 feet
long, depending on the exercise you’re currently teaching.
* Keep each training session short. Two ten-minute training sessions per day are better than one long session. It is
important to end training sessions BEFORE the puppy shows any signs of tiring.
* Always end training sessions on a positive note. If your puppy is having trouble grasping a concept, back up a step or
ask him to do something he does well and then end the session.
* Crate your puppy for at least 10 minutes after each training session. This will help your puppy to better absorb what
he has learned.
* Praise should be given in a very positive, upbeat tone of voice. Use many different phrases such as "good puppy",
"that’s it", "you’ve got it", "yes". Be creative when using praise. Remember that praise will eventually replace treats.
* Only give one command at a time, even when your puppy is first learning. If you say "SIT, SIT, SIT" each time you want
him to sit, your puppy will not know which command he is to respond to. In most cases, he will simply ignore your
request because you are not being consistent with your training.
* It is important that you release your puppy after he’s been asked to do something. If you tell him to "SIT" and he gets a
treat and then gets up on his own, he is in control. You must be in control. Choose a release word and stick with it
throughout your training. Words like OK or FREE are good choices. As soon as your pup does what you’ve asked him
to do, then release him and play with him for a short while before repeating the command.
* Never give your puppy a command that you are unable to enforce. If you are only at the beginning stages of teaching
your puppy to come, do not expect him to stop immediately and come to you when he’s on the trail of a rabbit! *
Remember to always use your puppy’s name in a positive manner. Do not use his name when reprimanding your puppy.
* Training doesn’t always have to be at a set time of day. It can be incorporated into your daily routine. Just be sure to
have those treats handy!
TRAINING LOCATIONS
Where you train your puppy should be based on the four levels below. Once your puppy is responding at one level, it’s
time to move on to the next level.
Level 1: Each time you begin to teach your puppy a new command, begin your sessions in a familiar, quiet place (a
room in your house with the door closed is a good start).
Level 2: Graduate to working in other rooms in your house. There should be no distractions present (i.e., other dogs,
people). Also, you can begin working outdoors but only in places that your puppy is accustomed to and where there are
limited distractions.
Level 3: Next, begin working in the same places as in Level 2 but add small distractions (i.e., have the television or
radio on while you’re training, have another person nearby who is not directly interfering with the training session).
Level 4: Then, practice in places that are unfamiliar to your puppy and that include low-level distractions at first. It can
be difficult to find a public place where distractions are minimal. A good place might be a schoolyard on the weekend or
during the summer. Gradually increase the level of distractions.
It is important to build the level of distractions gradually. If your puppy is very toy-motivated, do not begin distracting him
by rolling a ball past him while he’s doing a sit-stay. Begin with something your puppy can handle.
Here are some examples of distractions:
other non-interfering dogs or people
noises (have the television or radio on near your puppy)
toys place treats on the floor near your puppy
roll a tennis ball on the floor
Please do not subject your puppy to any distractions that may frighten him. You want your puppy to know he can trust
you.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If other members of your family will be working with the puppy, make sure they know what commands the puppy knows.
It might be a good idea to keep a list of commands in a central place in your house...the refrigerator works nicely. It’s
best if only one person initially trains the puppy. The other family members can join in once the puppy is trained.
It is still a good idea to enroll your puppy in a group obedience class that uses positive training methods. It’s a great
place to train once your pup is ready for distractions. If you’ve already trained your puppy at home you’ll be ahead of
the game!
Remember to give your puppy lots of hugs every day. Love and training go hand in hand.
THE BENEFITS OF TRAINING
Training your puppy...
Establishes you as the pack leader this will curtail behavior problems by setting up a line of communication that your
puppy understands. Training also gives your puppy something to do and increases the bond between you and your
four-legged friend.
Many puppies who are not taught the simplest of commands become unruly, unmanageable dogs that wind up in
shelters or worse. Please take the time to teach your puppy these basic exercises...
So Let’s Begin!
GENERAL TRAINING TIPS
Below are some general training tips to remember when training:
* I find it easiest and most enjoyable to train with food. Use small, soft treats (such as sliced hot dogs or string cheese).
Soft treats make swallowing much easier for the puppy. If your puppy does not seem interested in food, try scheduling
your training sessions before mealtime or use more enticing treats. Bait bags, which can be purchased at your local pet
supply store, will make your treats easily accessible.
* When training with food, it is important to only give your puppy treats during a training session or when he’s asked to
do something. Eventually you can even ask him to "SIT" before you put his bowl down at mealtimes.
* Use a buckle collar made of nylon or fabric and a leash made of nylon or leather when first training your puppy. The
collar should fit snugly behind the puppy’s ears so that it cannot slip off. The leash should be between 4 and 6 feet
long, depending on the exercise you’re currently teaching.
* Keep each training session short. Two ten-minute training sessions per day are better than one long session. It is
important to end training sessions BEFORE the puppy shows any signs of tiring.
* Always end training sessions on a positive note. If your puppy is having trouble grasping a concept, back up a step or
ask him to do something he does well and then end the session.
* Crate your puppy for at least 10 minutes after each training session. This will help your puppy to better absorb what
he has learned.
* Praise should be given in a very positive, upbeat tone of voice. Use many different phrases such as "good puppy",
"that’s it", "you’ve got it", "yes". Be creative when using praise. Remember that praise will eventually replace treats.
* Only give one command at a time, even when your puppy is first learning. If you say "SIT, SIT, SIT" each time you want
him to sit, your puppy will not know which command he is to respond to. In most cases, he will simply ignore your
request because you are not being consistent with your training.
* It is important that you release your puppy after he’s been asked to do something. If you tell him to "SIT" and he gets a
treat and then gets up on his own, he is in control. You must be in control. Choose a release word and stick with it
throughout your training. Words like OK or FREE are good choices. As soon as your pup does what you’ve asked him
to do, then release him and play with him for a short while before repeating the command.
* Never give your puppy a command that you are unable to enforce. If you are only at the beginning stages of teaching
your puppy to come, do not expect him to stop immediately and come to you when he’s on the trail of a rabbit! *
Remember to always use your puppy’s name in a positive manner. Do not use his name when reprimanding your puppy.
* Training doesn’t always have to be at a set time of day. It can be incorporated into your daily routine. Just be sure to
have those treats handy!
TRAINING LOCATIONS
Where you train your puppy should be based on the four levels below. Once your puppy is responding at one level, it’s
time to move on to the next level.
Level 1: Each time you begin to teach your puppy a new command, begin your sessions in a familiar, quiet place (a
room in your house with the door closed is a good start).
Level 2: Graduate to working in other rooms in your house. There should be no distractions present (i.e., other dogs,
people). Also, you can begin working outdoors but only in places that your puppy is accustomed to and where there are
limited distractions.
Level 3: Next, begin working in the same places as in Level 2 but add small distractions (i.e., have the television or
radio on while you’re training, have another person nearby who is not directly interfering with the training session).
Level 4: Then, practice in places that are unfamiliar to your puppy and that include low-level distractions at first. It can
be difficult to find a public place where distractions are minimal. A good place might be a schoolyard on the weekend or
during the summer. Gradually increase the level of distractions.
It is important to build the level of distractions gradually. If your puppy is very toy-motivated, do not begin distracting him
by rolling a ball past him while he’s doing a sit-stay. Begin with something your puppy can handle.
Here are some examples of distractions:
other non-interfering dogs or people
noises (have the television or radio on near your puppy)
toys place treats on the floor near your puppy
roll a tennis ball on the floor
Please do not subject your puppy to any distractions that may frighten him. You want your puppy to know he can trust
you.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If other members of your family will be working with the puppy, make sure they know what commands the puppy knows.
It might be a good idea to keep a list of commands in a central place in your house...the refrigerator works nicely. It’s
best if only one person initially trains the puppy. The other family members can join in once the puppy is trained.
It is still a good idea to enroll your puppy in a group obedience class that uses positive training methods. It’s a great
place to train once your pup is ready for distractions. If you’ve already trained your puppy at home you’ll be ahead of
the game!
Remember to give your puppy lots of hugs every day. Love and training go hand in hand.
| Oldendorf Boxers of... Old Woods Trail Kennel 20898 Old Woods Trail Barnett, Mo. 65011 Phone #(573)378-8310 oldendorfboxers@yahoo.com www.oldendorfboxers.com |
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