Puppy Training

By Anthony W Robinson

They're cute, they're adorable, and we love them. I'm talking about puppies. I know the feeling of looking into those big eyes and knowing that you've just found your companion. Not long after we get Rover home is when the real fun begins. The walks, the playing, sleeping next to you - but what you're doing in your puppies training now will play a huge role in how your puppy acts when he reaches adulthood. Let's take a look at what you can do to get you and your puppy off on the right paw.

The Don'ts of your puppies training

• Don't greet your puppy when you first get home. Take a few minutes to change clothes, grab a snack, then greet him. This tells him that you are the alpha and will acknowledge him when you're ready.


• Don't respond to unwanted behavior. Turn your back to him for 20 to 30 seconds, and don't speak to him. This social isolation is one of the most effective training methods.


• Don't let your puppy have free reign of the house. Keep an area off limits to him. This asserts your position as the alpha.


• Don't get complacent with your puppies training. Spend time everyday working on correcting bad behavior and reinforcing good behavior.

The Do's of your puppies training

• Do make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise daily, at least 30 minutes. And no, walking him to let him "do his business" does not count. I mean vigorous exercise (can you say fetch?)
• Do correct your puppy immediately. Remember that he has a short attention span, and if too much time passes he won't know what he did wrong. It's most effective if you catch him in the act.
• Do get him used to routine maintenance such as bathing, grooming, ear cleaning, and anything else you intend to do for him as an adult. Trust me, this will make your life much easier when he's an adult.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, following these tips in your puppies training will ensure that you have a good start to a well behaved dog.

For further information on typical doggie behavior, including a fantastic resource for training how-to's and loads of detailed information on preventing and dealing with problem behaviors, check out http://www.squidoo.com/dogtraining-problems