Sometimes a great dog is just born. Many of us have had dogs or known dogs like this. It seems like they didn\u2019t need any training, they just knew what to do. My hunch is great dogs are also molded by their people and environment. So, don\u2019t count of your dog being good; develop good traits in him.<\/p>\n
Following this plan from puppyhood thru adulthood you can raise a really good dog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Crossroads-Stills-26.jpg\" "\\"Crossroads")
\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>- \n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/decision-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTHE DECISION PHASE
The decision to get a new puppy or dog should be taken seriously.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preparation-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTHE PREPARATION PHASE
even the most serious of problem might have been prevented with some prior planning.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/prevention-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTHE PREVENTION PHASE
For about the first 3 years of your new dog\u2019s life prevention is the name of the game.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/crate-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTHE HOUSEBREAKING PHASE
Housebreaking or Housetraining is a simple task when done correctly.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTHE SOCIALIZATION PHASE
Socializing him now is your only opportunity to mold your dog\u2019s personality<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/learning-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTHE LEARNING PHASE
Learning is a critically important part of your puppy\u2019s development.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/obedience-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tOBEDIENCE TRAINING
During obedience training you will be shaping your dog\u2019s behavior, learning how to communicate with in him a way he understands.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crdogtraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/relationship-1080x350.jpg\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The best way to enhance the relationship with your dog is to spend one-on-one time with your furry companion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t- \n\n\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Decision<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Preparation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tHousetraining and Crate or Kennel Training<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Prevention Phase (7 weeks to 3 years)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Socialization Phase (4 weeks to 4 months)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Learning Phase, an introduction to training (10 weeks to 5 months)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Obedience Training Phase (6 months \u2013 3 years)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tRelationship Development Phase (6 months on\u2026)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/ul>\n\n\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Right Match<\/h3>\n
<\/a>
\nThe decision to get a new puppy or dog should be taken seriously. To do it right and have a nice dog it takes time, effort and money.\u00a0 So, do your homework and prepare for your new arrival.<\/p>\nAs a professional dog trainer\/instructor, the biggest mistake I see people making is not getting the right match for their family and lifestyle. Many dogs are ending up in rescue organization or shelters for this reason. I believe that the breed of dog should be taken into account as well the nature (or what we call his disposition) of the puppy or dog before it is brought home. If you want a dog for protection you might choose a German Shepherd. If you want a dog for companionship you might choose a Labrador. In either case I suggest learning a little about the traits of the breed, \u00a0how to select the right puppy (or dog) and learn how to raise and train it properly.<\/p>\n
A person who gets a dog that is too much dog for them to handle puts that dog at such a disservice, because it is always the dog that suffers in this case.<\/p>\n
So, when deciding which dog is right for you, think about \u2026.you. Think about your personality, your likes and dislikes, your time commitment, and really think about what you can handle or not.<\/p>\n
Some people do not want to put much effort into a dog and feel it should just learn how to fit in with their family. If this is the case, I sure hope they find the perfect mellow dog for them. Otherwise, that dog may end up being given up. Some people are permissive and need a dog that is not going to challenge them. Others are \u201cfollow the rules\u201d kind of people with strong leadership ability and could handle more of a dog.<\/p>\n
Some people bring home a new puppy or dog and realize what a big commitment of TIME AND ENERGY it really is. This is especially true if you have selected a pup with a propensity to be high energy. You will need the ambition to \"parent\" this new family member. \u00a0So, before you go get a new dog or puppy take a step back. Examine your motives. Why do you want a dog? Buying a dog for your children or someone else is almost always a recipe for disaster. \u00a0What type of owner will YOU be? \u00a0Are you willing to be this dog's owner forever? Are you ready to make the TIME commitment? Are you ambitious enough to wake up at 3 a.m. to take your new puppy outside, to walk & interact with it daily, to learn how to train the dog properly from the get go? Are you prepared to handle biting, barking and chewing behaviors as they arise?<\/p>\n
Making a smart decision regarding a puppy is more complicated than most people imagine. But, with some research, planning, a good dog trainer and a little luck you can find yourself the perfect match.<\/p>\n
Helpful Links:
\nwww.akc.org<\/a> -\u00a0Choose the breed that is right for you.<\/p>\nDownload the Crossroads Dog Training Workbook \"Before you bring a puppy home\"<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tHome Environment<\/h3>\n
Over the years, I have heard every story there is about our customer\u2019s problems with their dogs. In many cases (not all), even the most serious of problem might have been prevented with some prior planning. The home environment you\u2019ve set up for your puppy can make or break your ability to mold it into a stable, confident and trustworthy companion as an adult.<\/p>\n
If you are getting a puppy and are interested in learning all you can about training, you are off to the right start. So, I pass on this advice to you with every intention of providing you with knowledge in hopes that you will set your dog up for success and a long happy life with your family.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Your puppy\/dog should have a fenced in back yard w\/ a kennel enclosure where you can secure your dog when needed.<\/li>\n
- Your puppy should sleep in a crate next to your bed for the first 6 months to help in the bonding process.<\/li>\n
- Your puppy\/dog should not have the entire run of the house and yard all day long. Use a crate (for puppy) or kennel (for adult dog) to secure your dog and keep him safe from getting into trouble.<\/li>\n
- Give your puppy boundaries, structure and rules because this will create respect & dependency which are both needed to have a happy & healthy relationship with your dog.<\/li>\n
- Do not allow jumping-up, rough play, biting or growling (remember wrestling and rough housing will teach the puppy to bite). Your puppy should not be allowed to run and chase children. Put the puppy away or on the leash. Teach children to respect the puppy and to never to engage the puppy in play. This can come later when the dog is raised and has respect for the children.<\/li>\n
- Dogs want 4 things out of life: Freedom, food, exercise & attention (bold heading). Make your pup dependent on you for these things and you will have a stronger bond and well-mannered dog.<\/li>\n
- Start your puppy on basic obedience commands: sit, come, down, heel, stay.<\/li>\n
- Do not give your puppy\/dog real meat bones. Even a young puppy can become possessive over a bone and learn to back you off by growling or snarling at you. Don\u2019t start this very dangerous pattern.<\/li>\n
- Your puppy\/dog should have a few select toys, not an entire room full of them. I recommend a Kong, a nylabone, & rope toy. No soft, plush toys. They feel a lot like the carpet, dog beds or car upholstery and teaches your pup to chew on soft things.<\/li>\n
- You will have more of a chance at raising a calm puppy if its home environment is calm. If there is going to be a lot of commotion going on in the house, put the puppy away in his kennel\/ crate. Getting the puppy all excited & rambunctious will lead to the puppy wanting to jump-up and starts the biting game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Supplies<\/h3>\n
- \n
- 2 crates (one for your bedroom & one for living room)<\/li>\n
- 6\u2019x5\/8\u201d leash (or smaller for petite pups) and flat nylon collar<\/li>\n
- 12 cow hooves<\/li>\n
- 1 nylabone dura chew (not edible)<\/li>\n
- Kong Toy<\/li>\n
- Rope Toy<\/li>\n
- Same food as breeder until 10 weeks old then, Life\u2019s Abundance Dog Food<\/a><\/li>\n
- Stainless steel water and food bowls<\/li>\n
- Baby gates as needed to keep pup out of certain rooms of the house<\/li>\n
- No bed, no plush toys. Letting puppies chew on these will start bad habits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Download the Crossroads Dog Training Workbook\u00a0\"Before you bring a puppy home\"<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tHousebreaking<\/h3>\n
Housebreaking or Housetraining is a simple task when done correctly.\u00a0 The trouble comes when people who acquire a young puppy accept advice from everyone and his brother, most of who know nothing about dog behavior and have never done it themselves.<\/p>\n
Puppies will relieve themselves in the house once as an error (mostly on our part for not taking them out when they need to go).\u00a0 Dogs have scent chemicals that are passed with the waste and trigger them to repeat the process in the same area.\u00a0 So, I will be suggesting that you do not give your puppy freedom to roam the house unsupervised.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t hear or see your puppy he may be wondering to a back room to find a quiet spot to relieve himself.<\/p>\n
Make it your goal to prevent your puppy from ever eliminating in your house.\u00a0 Do not encourage him to go in the house on papers or in a specific room.\u00a0 Remember the goal is:\u00a0 not in the house. So, never take your eyes off him!<\/p>\n
Praise for doing it right<\/h3>\n
Take your puppy outside ON LEASH to the same spot every time.\u00a0 When your dog is going to the bathroom where you want him to go, use slow verbal praise as he\u2019s going.\u00a0 \u201cGoooooooood boy, Goooooood boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Slow praise in a comforting voice will encourage the feeling that this is a comforting positive experience for him.\u00a0 Repeat the word that you want him to associate with going to the bathroom like \u201cgo potty\u201d.\u00a0 Soon you will be able to tell him to \u201cgo potty\u201d and he will.<\/p>\n
End the experience by giving him a lot of verbal praise and hand praise, and a food treat when he\u2019s finished.<\/p>\n
Oops, there he goes!<\/h3>\n
Just as he makes his attempt, let out a loud, \u201cNO!\u201d and clap your hands and\/or stomp your foot. This should be just loud enough to get his attention and should stop him in the act.\u00a0 Shoo him in the direction of the door. If you need to, take him by the collar and lead him outdoors but, do not pick him up.\u00a0 Once he\u2019s out the door pat him on the back to show him that you still like him and then wait for him to relive himself.\u00a0 It might take five or ten minutes.\u00a0 Reward him with verbal praise when he\u2019s in the act and verbal & hand praise when he is finished & a treat.<\/p>\n
Helping your dog correct himself<\/h3>\n
Sometime around the second or third week you might try to set your puppy up with an opportunity to eliminate in the house with the chance to correct himself.<\/p>\n
Let him out of his crate in the morning (after he has been crated all night) and bring him to a room with a door cracked open so that he could exit through it on his own.\u00a0 Lay down his morning feeding and then position yourself so that your puppy is between you and the exit.\u00a0 Sit down and watch him without letting him know you are watching.<\/p>\n
When he finishes his meal watch for him to start sniffing around to find a location to eliminate.\u00a0 Just as he makes his attempt, let out a loud, \u201cNO!\u201d and clap your hands and\/or stomp your feet as you herd him out the door.\u00a0 Once he\u2019s out the door pat him on the back to show him that you still like him and then wait for him to relive himself.\u00a0 It might take five or ten minutes.\u00a0 Reward him with verbal praise when he\u2019s in the act and verbal & hand praise when he is finished.<\/p>\n
Simple House-Training Schedule for a young puppy from \u201cThe Art of Raising a Puppy\u201d by the Monks of New Skete<\/h3>\n
- \n
- 6:30 a.m. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rise,\u00a0Walk pup briefly.<\/li>\n
- 7:00 a.m. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Feed pup and offer a drink of water.\u00a0Walk pup, do simple training exercises.\u00a0Return home and play briefly with pup.\u00a0Pup stays in crate.<\/li>\n
- Mid morning \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Walk pup.\u00a0After walk, pup stays with owner for 15 minutes.\u00a0Pup stays in crate.<\/li>\n
- 12 noon-1:00pm \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Feed pup second meal and offer water.\u00a0Walk pup. Return home and play with pup. Pup returns to crate.<\/li>\n
- Midafternoon \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Offer pup water. Walk pup. Pup returns to crate.<\/li>\n
- 5:00 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Feed pup third meal and offer water. Walk pup. Allow pup to play around while your dinner is being prepared.<\/li>\n
- 7:00 p.m. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Walk pup briefly, do simple training exercises. Return home and play with pup.\u00a0Put returns to crate.<\/li>\n
- Before bed\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Walk pup. Pup sleeps in crate in your bedroom.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Crate and kennel Training<\/h3>\n
As den animals, dogs have an instinct to hide in an enclosed area such as under a table or bed.\u00a0 This sort of enclosure gives them security.\u00a0\u00a0 Young puppies will instinctively move away from their den.\u00a0 I train my puppies to sleep in a crate.\u00a0 Crate train your puppy from the day you bring him home.\u00a0\u00a0 He should sleep in his crate at night next to your bed.\u00a0 That way you can hear him whimpering and take him outside to go to the bathroom.\u00a0 The crate should be a positive experience so feed your pup in the crate, give him something special to chew on and always get him to walk into the crate of his own free will. DO NOT pick the pup up and shove him into the crate.<\/p>\n
Young puppies will need to relieve themselves more during the day than at night. Coming home on a lunch break may be required to let your puppy go to the bathroom outside & play around a little before you return to work. Leave something for your pup to chew on in the crate to keep him busy. Your pup will only be happy being left in a crate until about 4-5 months old. Then, he may not tolerate the confinement. This is when a larger dog kennel should be considered. \u00a0We call it a babysitter;\u00a0A safe place where you can leave your puppy or dog when you cannot supervise him.\u00a0It should be at least 3 times the length of the adult dogs body length and secure enough that he cannot dig out or climb out.<\/p>\n
Download the Crossroads Dog Training Workbook\u00a0\"Before you bring a puppy home\"<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tPrevention<\/h3>\n
For about the first 3 years of your new dog\u2019s life prevention is the name of the game. You will do yourself, and your puppy or new dog, a favor by not letting bad habits form from the start. Your puppy will want to chew on things, dig, nip & bite, chase kids\/cars\/cats\/livestock, steal things off the counter, potty in the house etc... That is what they were born to do. All of these things are a result of drive and instinct.\u00a0 If you didn\u2019t want to have to deal with them, a better pet for you may have been a hamster.<\/p>\n
Many people ignore these habits and then wonder why their couch is chewed up or landscaping has been demolished, or their carpet has been ruined with dog urine.\u00a0 Then, they end up locking an adult dog up in a kennel for most of its day or give the dog away.\u00a0 What a shame! Prevent your pup from having habitual destructive behavior by not allowing him access to things he can chew on when you are not able to supervise. Control his freedom with a leash and a crate and supervise him when he is free.<\/a><\/p>\n
Puppy Proofing the house (smaller bold heading) The best way to prevent a puppy from chewing up furniture, slippers clothing or other items is to remove them from the area.<\/p>\n
Think ahead. For everyone\u2019s protection and happiness, the following guidelines are offered:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Keep toxic and harmful objects out of puppy\u2019s reach. Medicines, cigarettes, nail polish, cleaning fluids, antifreeze, bug repellents, garbage and trash, soaps and detergents, shrubs and houseplants are all dangerous, some are poisonous.<\/li>\n
- Make sure the puppy cannot chew on electric wiring of any kind.Close access to areas you do not want the puppy in. Open stairways and closet doors invite puppies to investigate, which can lead to its getting hurt or in trouble.<\/li>\n
- Shoes, socks and clothes left lying on the floor present open invitations to chew.<\/li>\n
- Items placed on low coffee tables can easily be reached and destroyed by curious puppies.<\/li>\n
- Puppies love to chew newspapers, magazines and books. Keep them up high until the puppy grows older.<\/li>\n
- You wouldn\u2019t leave a toddler alone in a room by themselves. Use this same logic with a puppy.<\/li>\n
- Never leave a puppy unsupervised, even for a few minutes! Major accidents can happen when you turn your back \u201cjust for a minute.\u201d Trust us on this!<\/li>\n
- Never give a puppy the freedom to wander alone through a house or it may mistake all of your rooms for bathrooms.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
This also goes for the backyard.\u00a0 If you want to keep your lawn & landscaping and have a dog that doesn\u2019t dig holes or chew the siding off your house, do not leave your puppy unattended to roam the yard and get into trouble.\u00a0 Keep him confined in a dog run or kennel when you are not able to be with him.<\/p>\n
Do this up until about 3 years of age and you may prevent bad habits from forming in the first place.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Download the Crossroads Dog Training Workbook\u00a0\"Before you bring a puppy home\"<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tSocialization<\/h3>\n
From the age of 7 weeks to 4 months,\u00a0your puppy is at a critical stage in his life and how you treat him now will determine what sort of dog you\u2019ll have as he gets older. So, socializing him now is your only opportunity to mold your dog\u2019s personality (or what we call his temperament).\u00a0 Many people underestimate the importance of socializing a puppy. But, take our word for it, socializing your puppy is the single most important thing you can do. If you don\u2019t socialize your pup properly you may end up with a dog that lacks confidence, is fearful and likely to be aggressive later in life.<\/p>\n
So, the bottom line is, protect your puppy now because you can\u2019t go back and do it over!<\/p>\n
Socialization with other pups (4-6 weeks)<\/strong><\/p>\n
This is a very important time for a puppy. A puppy removed from its litter and mother at\u00a0this time will have missed a very important stage of development. They are just starting\u00a0to play with each other. This play is critical to the pups learning the language of dogs. A\u00a0pup who is taken away to soon will often have a propensity to be dog aggressive as an\u00a0adult because they missed this most critical interaction with their mother and littermates.<\/p>\n
During this time, they are also learning how to urinate and defecate on their own.\u00a0Eventually, learning to go away from the den. This is also the time pups are weaned.\u00a0This ushers in another change for the pups, the periodic absence of the mother. They\u00a0begin to pay more attention to each other and rely less on mom.<\/p>\n
Responsible breeders take this time very seriously and know how to usher pups thru.\u00a0Puppies who don\u2019t have the right socialization during this phase, or who experience a\u00a0bad experience (like the mother or another adult dog biting\/attacking them) will have\u00a0psychological scars for the rest of their life.<\/p>\n
Socialization with people (5-12 weeks)<\/strong><\/p>\n
Now the socialization begins to shift mother and littermates towards humans. The\u00a0perfect time to take a puppy home is around 7-8 weeks because of this reason; they are\u00a0ready to bond to humans and why not to their new owners. During this time they\u00a0require all the attention they can get\u00a0Now that you have your puppy home it is your job to properly & safety socialize your\u00a0puppy in a way that enhances his development into a stable, confident, happy adult\u00a0dog.<\/p>\n
From 7-10 weeks<\/strong> the main focus for new puppy owners is to keep the puppy at home\u00a0(since he is not fully vaccinated) and work on the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Potty-training the puppy<\/li>\n
- Socialize with people at home or take pup on car rides where pup stays in the\u00a0car be sees or gets petted by people<\/li>\n
- Protect from diseases or virus by keeping the puppy at home, in your arms out in\u00a0public or in the car. Do not put your pup on the ground outside of your yard.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Fear\/Avoidance Phase (8-10 weeks)<\/strong><\/p>\n
This is an important time for new puppy owners to know about. During this time,\u00a0puppies may become more tentative and cautious. This is a natural adjustment to full\u00a0adult sensory capacities. Responsible breeders and educated owners take this time\u00a0very seriously and know how to usher pups thru. But, it is important for new owners to\u00a0take this responsibility seriously. Puppies who don\u2019t have the right socialization during\u00a0this phase, or who experience a bad experience, like being scared by a loud noise, or\u00a0person\/child who scares them, can have psychological scars for the rest of their life.<\/p>\n
Helpful links:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.newskete.com\/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Dog+Books<\/a><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
No bad experiences<\/h3>\n
At this young age, your pup is learning rapidly and what he learns will have a lasting impact on him.\u00a0 Although his attention span is short, he will quickly make associations to things that he experiences.\u00a0 These associations will make a strong impression on him and will be resistant to change.<\/p>\n
For this reason you need to be very careful about what your puppy is learning \u2013 and believe me, he\u2019s learning even when you think you\u2019re not teaching.\u00a0\u00a0 If you want to raise a stable, confident dog your most important task during this time will be to see that your puppy does not have a bad experience with people, children, other dogs or his environment. Bad experiences can be such things as loud, unexpected noises \u2013 like something falling down next to him, or people suddenly screaming at him \u2013 a wild ride in a car, an overly aggressive dog, or being struck or knocked around, basically anything that would cause him to shy away or be afraid. You many have known a dog that was afraid of the vacuum, hose, or worse, children.\u00a0 This is often the result of a bad experience.\u00a0 Any frightening or painful experience at this time will have a more lasting impact now than it would if it occurred at a later time.<\/p>\n
A significant amount of scientific and experiential research has been done on the topic of puppy development.\u00a0 Some of the best writings can be found in The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete.<\/p>\n
\u201cNegligence by a breeder or new owner during this time can scar a puppy for life\u201d -\u00a0<\/em>The Monks of New Skete, \u00a0The Art of Raising a Puppy<\/u> (pg.19)<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tLearning<\/h3>\n
This time \u2013 your dog\u2019s \u201cpuppyhood\u201d \u2013 is an excellent time to start training.\u00a0 Believe me!\u00a0 A way to think about all the training phases of your dog\u2019s life is that you are laying a foundation for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n
Training your puppy now will help him to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- see you as the authority figure in his life<\/li>\n
- set him up for an easier process when he starts adult training (about 6 months)<\/li>\n
- develop self-esteem by giving him the joy of receiving reward for accomplishments<\/li>\n
- be comfortable in a variety of situations and places<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
At this age of 10 to 5 months or so, your dog can be taught an amazing amount by using the positive reinforcement of food.<\/p>\n
Training a puppy during puppyhood will not result in obedience that will last, it is simply an effort to teach your dog how to learn and lay a foundation for future training.<\/p>\n
Finding a trainer who can help you make the most of this time is important.\u00a0 Learning is a critically important part of your puppy\u2019s development.\u00a0 Through training you will learn how to best take an active and effective part in the process.<\/p>\n
To train a puppy you will need:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- 5\/8\u201d X 6\u2019 nylon leash and flat nylon collar<\/li>\n
- A\u00a0hungry puppy & a handful of the pups regular food (no treats)<\/li>\n
- Puppy Pre-School 10 weeks- 5 months<\/li>\n
- Two 5 min. training sessions a day to teach the puppy to walk a on a leash, sit, break,\u00a0come, down, drop & take it commands<\/li>\n
- Patience, repetition & consistency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Learn What You Can Teach Your Puppy Today - Puppy\u00a0Preschool<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tObedience<\/h3>\n
At the age of 6 months your pup is now ready for formal obedience training. And, your young dog is ready for, and able to handle more discipline in his life (and you are probably ready to have a pup with better manners.)<\/p>\n
Contrary to popular thought, obedience is as much your responsibility as it is your dogs. During obedience training you will be shaping your dog\u2019s behavior, learning how to communicate with in him a way he understands, how to read your dog, anticipate your dog and, as a result, your dog will learn to listen to you out of respect for your leadership.<\/p>\n
While completing my adult dog obedience program you will learn how to teach your dog what you want him to do or not do, how to correct a mistake and how to proof your training under distractions. This training is intended to last the lifetime of the dog.<\/p>\n
Some of the most important things that you should teach your dog during obedience training are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- How to walk on a leash 3 different ways without pulling or jumping up<\/li>\n
- To respond with one verbal and hand signal to basic obedience commands like sit, come, down, stay, break, drop & take it commands<\/li>\n
- To come back to you off leash the first time to call him without ignoring your or running from you (playing the chase game)<\/li>\n
- Temporary and permanent boundaries as a way to control where your dog is allowed to go (like not jumping out of your car until called)<\/li>\n
- Temporary and permanent don't touch commands so you can keep him from approaching something or someone you don't want him to (so you can take him in public and have him look as well trained as a service dog)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You should also learn how to handle barking, digging, fence jumping, and aggression towards other dogs and\/or people.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Helpful link to resource book 'Who\u2019s the Boss<\/a>'<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\tThe Preparation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t