Puppies are eager and willing to do the right thing. They love
your happy face and the squealy noises you make when they have
done something great. They will do ANYthing to please you
because of the loving rewards they get from being a Good Dog.
They just cannot get enough of your praises and cuddles.
Moving towards "What a good dog!" from "Bad Puppy!" is based on
one thing. Your puppy does not know the English language, and
the faster he learns it, the better for all, because the minute
he knows what you want he will DO it. Make it faster and easier
for him to learn by keeping these tips in mind:
1. Be consistent in the words you choose to teach him commands.
If you say, "Wanna go potty?" in the morning, and "Have to go
out?" two hours later, and "Wanna go pee?" two hours later,
etc., then that is THREE phrases you have asked him to learn in
one day instead of only one. Decide which words to use, and make
sure everyone in your family uses the same ones.
2. Use his name in the command if you want action, do NOT use it
if you want him restricted from action. This is very important.
Hearing his own name makes a puppy leap into action by his very
nature. When you want your puppy to come, say, "Puppy, Come!"
[insert his name instead of the word Puppy, of course] When you
want him to lie down, simply say, "Down".
3. Do not confuse your puppy with the same words for different
commands. If you are teaching him basic obedience, the word
"Down" means LIE down, usually followed by "Stay." If you don't
want him on the couch, do not say "Down", say, "Off." This word
can be used to keep him from jumping up into your lap, onto the
couch, chair or bed because it is the ACTION of jumping up you
are trying to restrict. Saying "Down" when he jumps onto the
couch will just make him lie down on the couch! See the
difference?
3. Do not ever hit your puppy, you dont need to. The worst
punishment he ever needs to learn a lesson is your sad frown and
walking away from him. One or two minutes is the limit though,
do not overdo this. After a minute of ignoring him, give a
command he knows well and praise praise praise, with a big
smile.
These three tips, used with gentleness and consistency, will
teach your puppy all the words he needs to know to be a happy
and obedient companion in a matter of days.
About Author :
Dy Witt has shown, bred and trained standard poodles for 25
years. Her puppies' new vets and groomers sent word back that
they had never worked on such well-adjusted dogs in their
careers. To read more about her dog and puppy training
techniques and her new ebook, visit:
http://www.DogTraining15MinsADay.com
