Free Puppy Dog Training Tips

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Dog training is an essential part of owning a dog. And it doesn't have to be all that difficult. Consistency is the key.

Before you can begin to successfully train your puppy or adult dog, you need to keep a few things firmly in mind:

• A dog is a pack animal: her ancestors ran with a pack and followed an "Alpha" leader of the pack. So she's genetically programmed to be both a social creature and follow a dominant "Alpha" leader.
• It’s your duty, as Master, to insert yourself into that "Alpha" leader-position immediately. If you don't, your dog will make himself the "Alpha" leader to fill the huge void in his life. The result is a dog who will not obey and a master who is not very happy.
• A dog’s ancestors lived in a den. A den which they kept free of waste and relatively clean. To make your canine more comfortable, you really should get her a wire crate to act as her den. Why a wire crate? It will enable her to see everything around her.
• While you're at work or away, it's a good idea to keep him confined to a small area or his crate. Make sure that he has something to chew on, as this will keep him occupied. You might also want to leave the radio on, as dogs are social animals and crave company.

You should teach your dog as early as possible to get used to wearing a collar and leash. Follow him around at first without a leash and then call him and get him to follow you. Add a collar and leash and do the same thing. Do not let him get away with chewing on his leash and treating it like a toy.

Try and do all your training with a collar and leash. Why? So you're always in control. Whenever possible during your everyday activities, take your dog along with you on his leash... while watering the flowers, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, etc. This will serve to develop a strong bond between you and your dog. Your aim is to constantly reinforce your position as the "Alpha" leader.

Always remember that dogs are extremely perceptive of body language. They know when you are :

• afraid
• mad
• happy
• sad
• indifferent

You should definitely use this to your advantage in the training process. This, along with your tone of voice when speaking to your dog, and pulling on his collar with the leash are all you really need to get your point across.

Striking your dog is never necessary.

Dogs progress at different speeds when it comes to training and housebreaking depending on various factors. Among these are:

• Type of breed.
• Where he came from - breeder, pet shop, shelter, etc.
• What type of owner he came from - if older than 12 weeks.
• Be patient, patient, patient. Your patience will pay off in spades.

When it comes to house training your puppy or adult dog you have 2 options: Crate Training or Paper Training. The following pages will get you started on your way to potty training success:

Should you use food as a reward in your training? Your dog would answer yes, but his mommy would know better... A mother dog doesn't use food as a reward. She uses her voice and touch for reward and punishment. Food breaks your dog's concentration on the task at hand. It's much better for you to use your tone of voice, facial expressions, and touch to reinforce and train. And don't forget the absolute must have - a collar and leash.

Here are a few examples of good dog behavior:

• Answers to his name
• Obeys a command
• Potties in the proper area

Some examples of bad behavior:

• Nips
• Bites
• Doesn't respond to his name
• Doesn't obey your command
• Chews on furniture or off-limits property
• Potties in the wrong area

Here are the essential words that you will need to teach your dog:

• Sit
• Stay
• No
• Heel
• Up
• Out
• OK
• Good Dog
• Bad dog
• Come
• Down
• Go
• Stop

You should begin training with the "Sit" command.

To start the training: say "Sit" while gently pressing her rump down and holding a toy above her head. Go over this with her several times a day for 5 or more minutes. Soon you won't have to use the toy or press her rump down. Practice, practice, practice. And do be patient, some dogs progress faster than others.

Use the "Stay" command to get your dog to Stay in place while sitting. When he doesn't Stay, say "NO" and try again. Don't get over-excited when he either does or doesn't obey. Always keep on an even keel. Practice this command at each "Sit" command training session.

You should use the "OK" command to break the "Stay" command. Never let her break the "Stay" command without your permission. If she breaks without your "OK" command, then start all over again. She has to learn that there are consequences to her actions.

"Down" is another important command.

Say "Down" and get him to lie down and Stay in place until he hears the "OK" command. When just beginning, you may need to pull his front legs out from under him. This is a good command to use when you want your dog to stay in place for extended periods of time. You may want him to Stay in place for an hour or more. The down position is much more comfortable than the sitting position. Remember, no break allowed until you give the "OK" command.

"Heel" is a command to teach after he has a pretty good grasp of "Sit" and "Stay." The beginning position is him sitting next to you on a collar and leash. Begin walking and when he lags behind or moves ahead say "Heel" and pull on his leash until he is beside you again. Remember to practice, practice, practice. It will definitely pay off.

"Enough" is a command to use when acceptable behavior has run its course. It is different from "No", because it is acceptable behavior.

"Off" is a natural command to use. In the beginning, you may need to use the "Off" command and physically move her away at the same time.

Teach your dog to only eat when you give her permission. That way, she won't snap at other dogs or people when they come around while she's eating. Another benefit is this... She won't eat anything and everything she comes across. She'll be trained to look for your "OK" first.

Put her food bowl down and say "OK". The next time wait a little bit longer before saying "OK." If she starts to eat without your "OK", then say "No" and take her bowl away. Put it down again and wait before saying "OK." Do this on a regular schedule until she gets the idea to wait for the "OK" before eating anything.

Do not ever allow your dog to nip or bite. Say "No" sternly and put him in a timeout in his crate if necessary. It does no good to hold his mouth closed, he will take it as a game and a challenge.

Other tips:

• Whenever your dog misbehaves, you can put him in his crate for a time-out.
• It's perfectly normal for a dog to need to bark every once in a while. As a social animal he needs to be able to express himself. But it should not be excessive.
• Practice your "Enough" command whenever it gets out of hand.
• It is normal for a dog to sometimes eat his feces. This is his attempt to keep his area clean. It is your responsibility to help him keep his area clean.
• Some small breeds are really nervous and submissive and may urinate when excited. Take this into consideration and reduce loud noises and over-excitement on your part.
• Try to get down on their level physically and verbally.
• Be patient with your dog and don't expect him to obey overnight.
• Remember that you have to always show that you are the "Alpha" dog. Think of your dog like a child. He is constantly trying to test his boundaries. He expects leadership from you. If he doesn't get it, then he will put himself in the place of leadership.
• Don't just do these exercises occasionally, practice them often and have special blocks of time set aside for training sessions.