Training

  Training a puppy takes time! It is not always easy. Puppies learn by positive reinforcement. Training a puppy takes a ton of patience and time, but as long as you stick with it, the puppy will learn. When training your puppy present it in a fun and in the form of play. Training should not be a punishment. Here are some helpful tips on training.

• Potty Training:
• When potty training your puppy remember to be consistent. If you catch your puppy urinating/pooping in an area were you do not want them to go, quickly startle them. Then pick up your puppy and carry him/her to the spot where you would like them to continue going. By carrying your puppy, it does not give them an opportunity to smell around and urinate/poop in another spot you do not approve of. Remember to always take your puppy to the same spot. As soon as your puppy starts to urinate/poop in the correct spot say a phrase like "Go Potty" "Potty Time" or whatever you choose, to give your puppy a verbal cue to relieve him/herself. Immediately after your puppy has relieved him/herself, praise them by saying good dog, petting them and giving them lots of attention.
• Watch How to house train your puppy by Kathy Santo for more information.
• Leash Training:
• Again with leash training it is important to stay consistent. Watch How to leash train your puppy by Kathy Santo to give you advice on leash training. Also it is important to remember it is best to start leash training after the puppy is 8 weeks old. With leash training remember to take small steps.
• Sit/Lay down/ Stay:
• Teaching your puppy to sit is really easy. As you begin to teach your puppy do not use a hand sign. Begin by taking a treat to your puppy's nose and slowly move the treat back. This action causes the puppy to sit. As soon as your puppy's butt is completely on the ground say sit or if you have a clicker, click it. Then give your puppy a treat. As soon as your puppy can sit using the verbal cue and does not need you to lure him then you can add a hand signal. Remember to keep training sessions short. Do not over work your dog, all this does is make both you and your puppy frustrated. DO NOT use your hands to put your dog into a sitting position. By using your hands, it does not give the dog the opportunity to learn how to complete the task of sitting on their own.
• For more information on teaching your dog to sit visit How to teach your puppy to sit by Mike D'Abruzzo.
• Once your dog has accomplished sitting then begin teaching your puppy how to lay down. Start by luring your puppy into a sit but do not give him/her the treat yet. Then lower the treat down towards the ground. If your puppy's butt goes up, have your puppy go into a sit again, lower the treat down again and repeat until he lays completely down without lifting his/her butt up. As soon as he/she lays down say your verbal command and repeat the same steps from when you taught him/her to sit. Once again, DO NOT use your hands to put your puppy into the down position.
• Watch How to teach your dog to lie down for dummies.
• Teaching your dog to stay is quiet different from teaching them to lay down or sit. Teaching your dog to stay requires twice as much patience and even more time and consistence. Have your dog get into a sit position, say "Stay" and slowly back away. Do not go more than a few steps back for the first time. As you puppy progress slowly go farther away or in a different room. Then add the hand signal, just like before and continue to have your puppy stay for longer periods of time.
• Watch How to teach your dog to stay for dummies.
• For a visual description watch this video, although in this video I says you should use your hand to put your puppy into a sit, DO NOT do it. Puppy training basics by Kathy Santo