The worst practice you as the owner may engage in is letting their dog off leash and unattended. Whether the dog is running in the park, romping up and down the backyard or playing with other dogs, the dog is learning that these good times do not include the owner. In fact, it is always the owner who ruins the fun by ordering the dog to “Come.” When the dog obediently comes to the owner, his leash is promptly attached and he’s on his way back home. This is not a good outcome from the dog’s perspective. So on each successive outing, the dog delays coming when called because by delaying, he is prolonging his off leash experience.

When the owner repeatedly calls the dog and he does not come, then the dog is learning that he doesn’t have to come or at least he doesn’t need to come until he is called over a thousand times. The dog has now learned that ignoring the owner is much more rewarding than to obey. This is definitely a losing situation. If the dog comes, he feels he is being punished for coming because his off leash fun has ended. If the dog doesn’t come, he is learning that by not responding to your command, he is being self-rewarded for ignoring you.

A very frustrated owner feels the need to punish the dog for not coming when called. Because the owner does not know how to punish the dog while it is running away, the owner punishes the dog when he eventually returns. In result, the next time the dog will take much longer to come back because not only does it end the fun but it also now means outright punishment from the owner if he does cooperate. In the end, just remember that you are in fact dealing with an animal mentality.

What to Do When Someone Enters

Does your puppy jump on visitors upon arrival?  It is a common trait amongst puppies, but this habit can be changed.

First, keep treats by the door.  Put these somewhere out of your puppy’s reach.  Then, whenever the doorbell rings or someone knocks implement the “sit” and “stay” commands.  Use the treats to reward your pup for sitting still and listening.  If your pup starts to stir, just give your pup a look.  Your dog will understand what it means.  Remember to never yell at your puppy.   Yelling doesn’t work on dogs.  It just confuses your pet.

What to Do When YOU Enter

How do you enter the house after a long day at work?  Do you call for your puppy in an excited voice?  Your actions have a direct impact on your puppy’s behavior.

For instance, if your pup is jumping when you open the door, and you are petting your pup at the same time, then this translates to your pet that the jumping action is rewarded.  The pup jumps, your puppy gets attention.  Instead, teach your puppy to be calm when you come home.  This will stop the jumping habit from escalating out of control.

For more advice about how to use positive reinforcement methods with puppies, talk to a puppy kindergarten instructor or enroll in puppy preschool today.

To get you started in the right direction, here are a few standard lessons that will enhance your puppy’s development into a healthy dog, and improve the bond shared between the two of you.  There are more lessons then what is covered, but at the least, this will give you a starting checkpoint.  To find out specifics, talk to a Florida puppy training instructor or a puppy kindergarten instructor today.

Teach Your Puppy Basic Training

Every puppy should learn to sit, down, stay and wait.  It will keep your puppy healthy and away from danger when need-be.  For instance, if you and your puppy are on a walk and traffic crosses your paths without warning, then tell your pup to stay via the stay command.  It will keep your pup from running out into the traffic causing fatal injuries.  It keeps your pup out of harm’s way.

Teach Your Pup Not to Nip or Mouth

Puppies tend to nip and mouth when starting.  You need to teach your puppy that it is not desirable behavior through applying positive reinforcement.  You do not want your puppy to grow into a dog that bites even during playtime, and that is occurs without this lesson taught from the beginning.

These are only two basics of puppy training.  There is much more to learn.  Talk to a Florida dog obedience instructor today.

Puppies need nail trimming, grooming, shots, and training.  And sometimes these tasks are not always completed by you.  There are professionals who handle these duties with ease.  But if your puppy is not common to new environments and other people, then your canine could react in a negative manner to these fresh elements.  Socialization is a means of making certain that nothing bad occurs when placed in an unfamiliar setting.

Why Puppy Socialization is Essential

The more exposure your pup has to various environments, the easier it will be for your pup to remain calm or at ease during hectic situations.  For instance, let us say you are taking your dog out for a walk.  Along the sidewalk there is construction unfolding with jackhammers, traffic build-up, loud noises, lots of people and pedestrian congestion.  But you need to give your dog’s daily exercise.  You are not going to turn around and go back home.  If your dog has a certain level of socialization experience, then it will not be a problem. Your dog will adapt by ignoring these factors regardless of the sound level.  If your dog is not able to adapt to the situation, then your dog may react with undesirable behavior.  It could lead to aggressive interactions, fear, insecurities, and the desire to runaway.

Avoid any negative situation from unfolding by properly socializing your pup to a wide array of people and settings.

Learn Socialization in Puppy Classes

To find out more about your puppy’s needs, enroll in a puppy kindergarten or puppy preschool today.  An expert will be able to guide you on socialization and other necessary elements for proper puppy training.

Try Obstacle Courses

Puppies love to play and have lots of energy to expend.  Thus, obstacle courses are a great way to combine both and assemble a strong character along the way.  For when a puppy accomplishes the task of walking up a ramp, going through a tunnel or proceeding downhill then it boosts inner strength. It shows the puppy not to be afraid of something and that the pup can accomplish a task that seems overwhelming at first, but is a cinch to accomplish.  When you go through these little tasks, provide lots of praise.  Make a game out of it.  Provide rewards and keep the mood positive.  Your dog will be running through the obstacle course in no time.

Socialize with Others

The sooner your pup is able to socialize, the better for your dog’s demeanor.  Introduce your canine to other puppies on the same level.  Also, if you have visitors that come on a regular basis, such as a delivery representative or your mother, then have your dog become familiar with that person.  It helps your dog grow to be social and not aggressive.

For more tips on how to build your dog’s confidence at a young age, check out puppy kindergarten or puppy preschool classes today.  The instructor will be able to provide you with additional ideas and positive methods.

Provides Support for You…and Your Puppy

It is difficult to manage teaching your puppy how to act when you are implementing it solo.  You may become frustrated taking away from the bonding opportunity available.  However, if you are teaching your puppy in a group, then there is instant support on how to handle the situation in a positive manner.  It keeps the lessons light, and there are experts available to help you along the way until you are comfortable to manage the situation on your own.

In addition, your puppy learns from watching and interacting with other puppies.  Therefore, if other puppies are picking up a lesson quickly, then your pup will take note and try to exhibit the same results.  It is a wonderful avenue to utilize when training your pup.

Your pup will receive many benefits from puppy kindergarten classes.  It teaches your pup the necessary socialization skills needed to live a healthy and happy life.  And who better to teach you then a Florida obedience dog trainer.  Contact him/her today and find out more details about puppy classes.

Use a Long Line Leash

Take your puppy out to an area where wildlife frequently visits.  Make sure your dog is on a secure, long line leash without tension.  It needs to provide the sensation of running free without a leash.  Leashes that provide tension will not do.  Next, have treats and your dog’s favorite toys with you.  Currently, when another animal passes by your dog, call to your dog to “come” and show the treat and/or toy while running in the opposite direction as the animal.  This will encourage your dog to follow.   Once your dog reaches your location, play games with your dog.  Engage your dog in physical activity with a positive aspect.  This will distract your puppy from Hela monsters, lizards, snakes and other animals that may come along and harm your puppy.

To find out more about how to teach your puppy not to chase meet with a Florida dog training professional or enroll in a puppy kindergarten class today.

Do Not Abuse Crate Time

Crate training is designed to teach your dog how, when and where to go to the restroom.  A puppy will not go to the bathroom where the puppy plays, sleeps and lives.  Thus, use the crate in such a manner.  Do not use the crate as a means of punishment for your puppy.  Your puppy will not understand and it will confuse your puppy further.

Never Use Physical Force

There is absolutely no reason to hit your puppy.  Instead, gently correct your puppy’s behavior when the pup does something wrong.  If you implement physical harm upon your pup, then you will end up with a nervous, aggressive, and confused grown dog.  Puppy’s need to be taught in a loving environment with positive reinforcement.

Rid the Old Concept of Rubbing Your Puppy’s Nose in an Accident

The old method of teaching your puppy where to go the bathroom via rubbing your pup’s nose in accidents no longer works.   Instead, concentrate on positive reinforcement by showing the puppy where to go, and provide plenty of praise when done correctly.

If you would like more tips on how to train your puppy, enroll in a puppy kindergarten class or a puppy preschool today.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

If I have said one thing throughout this entire dog training blog, it is to implement training with positive reinforcement.  Dogs react well to positive rewards.  They think, “Wow.  If I roll over, I get a tasty treat.”  Thus, the dog will keep rolling over on command.   It is affirmation that the dog’s behavior is desired.  It is what works with canines.

Make it Fun

When you are training with your dog, make it a fun experience for the two of you.  Engage in lots of praise and playtime in-between training techniques.  If you do then it causes your dog to reflect on the situation by thinking if I endure these lessons, I get playtime.  Therefore, your dog will not be resistant to training, but rather looking forward to it for there is playtime when the training is completed.

These Florida dog training tips are the basics of how to engage in effective and successful dog training lessons.  To find out more about how to manage your puppy’s training sessions, enroll in a puppy kindergarten class today.

Be Gentle with New Puppies

A new puppy has not had any training except what was learned from the litter.  Therefore, remind yourself of this fact and be gentle when executing commands.  You don’t want the puppy to react in a negative manner.  Thus, keep the frustration level to zero.  Use treats along the way.  It helps your pup understand what is considered acceptable behavior.  Positive reinforcement is a great way to achieve the results you want in a light atmosphere.

Not All Dogs Get Along

If there are other dogs in the home, introduce them to each other slowly.  Do not be taken aback if the older dogs are not accepting of the new pup in the beginning.  New puppies have more energy and wish to play; whereas, an older dog may be set in his/her ways.  Do not force the two to interact.  The bonding will improve overtime at their leisure.  Try to encourage positive interaction but talk to a Florida dog training professional for tips on how to ensure this occurs correctly.

There are many concepts to keep in mind when training a new dog to your home.  If you are unsure about a certain technique then enroll in a puppy kindergarten class today.