Puppy Training - How to Train a Puppy - Part 1 & 2

Part 1 - How to Train a Puppy.

I must have been asked this very simple question more times than I care to remember so lets cut to the chase.

In this example we will use reward based training for your puppy.

These techniques will also work with an adult dog.

• Start the training as SOON as you have bought your puppy do NOT leave it a few days and then start training.
• Remember that a puppy will have zero attention span - One minute he will be giving you those puppy dog eyes gazing at you lovingly and next he will be attacking your shoes.
• Be patient - he's just a baby.
• If you are working with an adult or older puppy/dog - remember you may be dealing with years of bad habits, and will take time to unlearn or undo these habits. Be patient while he learns your new rules.
• You may find the initial training a bit tedious - but stick with it.

Ok lets get the environment ready for the training process - SUPERVISION

• You are in charge - so get the environment right - this will tell your puppy/dog who's in charge and set the right tone. You don't want him to have the chance to practice behavior you don't want.
• If your puppy/dog never has the chance to eliminate inside you are creating a positive, consistent education environment.
• He will get into the habit of going outside to eliminate and you will reward him every-time.
• You have created the environment so it;s up to you to make sure that he never has the chance to eliminate in the House/environment.
• To prevent accidents - you need to watch him like a hawk - If you have a toy breed it won't take a second for him to pee - so I mean it watch him like a hawk.
• For every accident that your puppy/dog has inside he is practicing behavior that YOU don't want - and you are both taking a step backwards.
• Even a few seconds without supervision could set back the training process- I know it sounds daunting but it will work.
• Once you have created your environment, it will become a habit for you to watch your dog and manage the environment.
• You will be learning the routine together

Part 2 - How to train a puppy

In 'How to train a puppy Part 1' we discussed the importance of reward based training.

In this installment we will be introducing the Crate.

• Why early lessons in your puppies life are so important in the crate training process.

Most puppies given the option don't want to eliminate near where they eat or sleep, however there maybe underlying reasons why they do...

• If your puppy (before you got him) was left to eliminate in his crate at a particularly impressionable age he will undoubtedly continue this into adulthood.

This is a very important fact.

• If your puppy was taken from his mother too early then he has missed out on a very early lesson - no-one taught him to be nice and clean - from an early age a puppy is licked by his mother so that they learn to keep clean.
• Consequently, if no-one has taught him to be clean then he may think it is acceptable to be messy and to live in a messy environment.

Lets start from the beginning...

Introducing the crate.

• The crate should be big enough for your puppy/dog to stand, stretch and turn around - don' buy anything bigger otherwise he may eliminate in his crate knowing that he can stay dry and comfortable.
• As your puppy grows either get a new crate for every stage of his development or use dividers.
• I have to emphasis this... It's very important that the crate is not too big - this may seem a harsh but as your puppy/dog earns more privileges (including space) the more he will know you are in charge and what YOU want.
• You can use either plastic or wire crates - it comes down to your own preference. However...
• If your puppy/dog is reactive to his environment and barks at everything he sees then a plastic crate (they normally obstruct the dog's view) would be more appropriate.

Where to put the crate.

• Keep the crate where the family are - if you isolate your puppy/dog he may develop behavior problems due to a lack of socialization.
• Don't keep chopping and changing where you put the crate. Remember that introducing the crate is all part of the training process-be consistent or you will confuse him.

The crate training process.

• The crate is a wonderful housetraining tool for your puppy/dog - don't use it as a punishment - otherwise he will associate the crate with bad things and bad memories.
• Put the crate where your puppy/dog is near the family - this is very important as your puppy/dog needs to feel part of the family not as someone sitting on the outside of the family.
• Decide what you are going to use as the cue word for putting the dog in his crate and use this cue EVERY-TIME. Use something like "go to crate" or "go to kennel" or "go to bed". It doesn't matter what cue you and your family use but agree on a cue and everyone should use the same cue every single time.
• Keep the cue word short and to the point.
• When you can't watch your dog he should then be in his crate...
• Going to work - crate your puppy/dog. Going out - Crate. Preparing dinner - Crate. Get the idea.
• It may seem like allot of time your puppy/dog is spending in his crate but as he gains better control the more time he can spend out of his crate.
• Make sure that the crate is safe. Don't leave any choking hazards or a collar on him in a wire crate or anything that it could get caught on..

I want to keep these 'How to train a Puppy' articles relatively short and digestible so will continue the crate training process in more detail in Part 3.

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