Puppy Training #1

Puppy Training For Dummies,
busy people and anyone who wants to learn the basics to have a great dog for life

This is an article that will help you raise the very best puppy possible. These lessons can also be used for adult dogs. The old wives' tale "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", like most tales, is NOT true. To have the best dog possible, pick the lesson you need and start teaching.

The Basics

1.  Dogs are not human.

2.  Dogs must learn to be dogs. This means that your dog must learn that he is not the boss. He learns to wear a collar and walk on a leash. He learns to eat dog food. He learns to go potty outside. He learns to sleep where you want him to, either in his bed or yours. He learns that biting is bad. He learns that jumping is bad. He learns tricks. He learns to bark. He learns to interact with other humans and other dogs.

3.  Dogs must learn that being a dog is more fun than being a human.

Dogs need a schedule.
Dogs do not like things on a whim when they are learning; that simply confuses them. They do not understand why they cannot eat, sleep and drink at regular intervals. A puppy (or any dog in training) needs a schedule to follow. This means they need to eat meals at the same times daily. They need to be walked at the same time each day. They need to go to bed at the same time each night. 

Consistency is a necessity in raising and training a puppy. Consistency means that not only do you do things at the same time each day, but that you also do them in the same way. Sit and Sit Down are not the same to a dog. You need to be consistent in when and how you feed, water, walk, and train your puppy. 

Dogs need a den.
Dogs and puppies need a safe place to call their own. As dogs no longer live in dens, we use airline crates to achieve the same effect. Just as dogs used dens in the wild, crates are places to sleep, to play and to be safe; the crate is NOT a place for punishment. We want the dog to hear and smell the family, so the crate should not be isolated. If you're using a confined area instead of a crate, a baby gate across the doorway is preferable to closing the door and isolating your puppy. 

The size of the crate is important. The puppy or dog should be able to stand up and stretch out comfortably. However, the crate should not be too big. If it is too large, the puppy will have room to use one end as a bathroom. If you have a puppy that is going to get very large, buy a large crate and close off one end with a divider of some sort. If your puppy must be left alone while you're at work, then a larger crate is okay. Put a stack of newspapers at one end for him to use when you can't be home to let him out. 

In the crate should be a water dish (you can get one that attaches to the side of the crate and is harder to spill), sleeping pad and toys. Do not leave food in the crate. This is not the pup's eating place. The exception is if you must be gone for more than 6 hours, then leave a small amount of dry food to hold the pup over to his next meal.

Your puppy might not like the crate at first. Don't give in to his complaining or tantrums! If you're sure he isn't hungry and you know he does not have to potty, ignore his yowling. Eventually he'll settle down and sleep which is what crates are for! You can make going in the crate fun by giving a small tasty treat.

Dogs need toys.
Contrary to popular belief, puppies do not know the difference between a new shoe and an old shoe. They do not know the difference between a new blanket and an old blanket. Nor do they do know the difference between a wooden toy and a wooden table leg. Thus, puppies need their own toys, toys that are unique. They need toys that are not similar to the normal things in the house. Great toys for your puppy include rawhide bones (not the compressed pieces), latex squeaky toys, braided rope booda bones, tennis balls and anything else that is unique that the pup has free reign to gnaw and mangle. If you do not provide the pup his own toys, he will find something else to chew on.

Dogs need water.
Puppies are 80% water. While growing, puppies drink lots of water. Restricting water is not the way to housetrain a puppy. Restricting water can kill your pet.

Dogs need food.
When it comes to dog food, you get what you pay for. Fifty pounds of dog food for $9.00 is a fifty-pound bag of corn with a little meat thrown in. Dogs do not digest corn. If the dog can't digest the food, it comes out the other end. If you feed your dog cheap food, the amount of poop will be huge. 

Buy good, high quality food. I do not care what brand you feed; just know what you are feeding. Take the time to read the label. The first ingredient should be a meat or meat product; don't settle for anything less. 

Do not feed canned food to your puppy. Canned food is 75% water. Puppies need better nutrition than what canned food can provide. Canned food is a treat. 

Dogs need you.
Dogs are pack animals and never live alone by choice. Dogs and puppies need love and attention to keep them mentally healthy and happy. They need companionship; they need you.

It takes time to raise a good pup. Always remember to make time in your day to spend one on one with your best friend.

Housetraining
One of the first steps you must take with your new friend is to teach him where to go potty. Remember that a puppy or dog will go potty after he wakes up, eats and plays. Follow ALL of these hints, be patient, and you will soon have a dog that is housetrained.

1) Keep the puppy in a crate or a confine area while unattended.
If the crate is too large, the puppy will have room to use one end as a bathroom. If you have a puppy that is going to get very large, buy a large crate and close off one end with a divider of some sort. If your puppy must be left alone while you're at work, then a larger crate is okay. Put a stack of newspapers at one end for him to use when you can't be home to let him out. A puppy or dog that is untrained and has free roam of the house will make messes in the house and will find something to get into. It is also a huge invitation to mark territory all over the house.

2) Do not use "pee pads".
Pee pads confuse the pup. He does not understand the difference between the outdoors and inside. If you encourage the pup to use pee pads, he starts to think he can go potty anywhere. If you want a dog that will potty outside, do not confuse it. Train the pup to go outside from the beginning.

3) Take the puppy to the same location outside every time.
Use a command to indicate it is time to potty not time to play. I like "hurry up". When the puppy goes potty, give lots of praise. Tell him what a good dog he is. Dogs like knowing they have pleased you. I do not recommend food treats. This encourages the dog to ask to go outside just to get a treat.

4) Be persistent.
The pup must have ample opportunity to learn to go outside and to not have mistakes in the house. If you wait 8 hours to take your puppy out, expect a mistake. The pup cannot hold it that long. Both the puppy and the older learning dog need to be given the opportunity to eliminate every two hours. If you must be gone for longer periods, it is your mistake that the pup had to go in the house and the puppy should not be chastised.
Take the pup out after EVERY meal.
Take the pup out after EVERY play session.
Take the pup out after EVERY nap.
In short, take the pup out after every event in its life while it is learning.

5) Mimic the behavior you want your dog to do to tell you he wants out.
If you want your pup to learn to scratch the door to go out, scratch the door yourself, mimicking the behavior you want your pet to do. You will probably feel silly the first few times but the dog will catch on. You can also take the pups paws and scratch the door before opening it. The dog soon learns that scratching the door makes it open.

6) Clean all accidents thoroughly.
If your puppy does have an accident, clean the spot well to remove all odors so the pet will not associate this spot with his "potty" the next time he has the urge to go.

Remember, the easiest, fastest way to housetrain a pup is to PREVENT accidents.  Be persistent and remember that your pup will need to go after eating, sleeping and playing. Take the time now to housetrain your new friend.