Puppy Training Basics.
When you first bring your new puppy home you need to remember that your new puppy is still very much a baby. Consequently your new puppy will be nervous and very unsettled. When I first purchased my Lurcher puppy she whined all night.
- Your puppy will need lots of gentle reassurance and gentle encouragement.
- Do not use ‘NO’ as the first words your puppy hears.
- Never shout or pysically punish your new puppy…or any dog for that matter.
- Use reward style training to get the best from your puppy.
- You can begin the puppy training process by teaching him simple techniques such as…
- how to walk to heel…
- how to sit when commanded…
- How to stay and sit down…
- You must always acknowledge your dogs obedience by patting his head or verbal praise.
- Start by teaching your puppy his name in a gentle and reassuring tone.
Puppy Training – Walking to heel.
- Shorten the dog’s lead so that it’s walking alongside you-it’s right shoulder at your left leg.
- Walk slowly and calmly.
- Walk in a straight line.
- As you are walking repeat the word ‘heel’ in a strong and firm voice.
- Check that your dog is not walking ahead or walking behind.
Puppy Training – Teaching your puppy to sit.
- Choose a quiet place so that your dog will not be distracted.
- Start teaching your dog to sit as soon as the ‘walking to heel’ has been mastered.
- To reinforce the ’sit’ gently put pressure on the dog’s back, just above the pelvis and repeat the word ’sit’.
- At first speak the command ’sit’ at the same time as you use the hand command, hand movement. Your dog/puppy will only understand your words if they are accompanied with a physical movement.
For more dog training tips and information visit my dog training site.
