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[P832]Puppy Crate Training Tips

by M Bauer Pulis, M B

There are nearly as many dog and puppy training methods as there are dog trainers; but, there are some basic elements that all successful dog and puppy training methods have in common. Follow these tips when training your canine companion and you'll be well on the road to having a well trained dog, who is a source of great enjoyment and pride. But remember, dog training isn't instantaneous ? it is ongoing. Even when your pooch has acquired a desirable behavior it is still important to reinforce the behavior on a regular basis. Here are 10 of the most important tips to keep in mind when dog and puppy training:

1. All successful dog training programs require: patience, persistence, and consistence. This really is number one ? most important ? first and foremost.
2. Dogs are pack animals - use this to your advantage in your dog training
endeavor. Be sure your dog knows you are the Alpha Dog. Encourage your
dog to 'give kisses' (lick the back of your hand) - this is his acknowledging
you as the leader. Also rub your dog's belly. Exposing his belly to you is a
sign of submission. It is extremely important that your dog always
remembers that you are his ?pack leader?; and teaching him this as soon as
possible will make your dog and puppy training sessions progress much more
smoothly.
3. Remember that dogs (like humans) do make mistakes. The important thing is to correct the mistakes WHILE they are occurring ? later is too late.
4. Lavishly praise and reward the behaviors you want to establish as you see them occurring during your puppy training sessions ? and continue to reward whenever you see the behavior occur. This will lead to a snowballing effect: the more you reward appropriate behaviors the more they will occur ? the more opportunity you will have to reward good behavior?
5. Don't stretch dog or puppy training sessions out too long for you or your dog. Ten or fifteen minute sessions are plenty for most pups. And be aware that several short sessions are much more effective than one long marathon session. In fact, long marathon sessions are more likely to discourage you both and make you both want to give up.
6. Make your dog and puppy training time fun and positive. This should be a positive bonding experience for you and your pup.
7. Short dog training sessions are best ? but sessions should occur frequently. Twice a day would be good ? but once a day, every day, should be the absolute minimum for training your puppy.
8. Always end dog training sessions on a positive successful note. If either you or your dog are not in the mood for a training session, make the session short and easy that day. Only practice things you know your dog enjoys and will gladly do successfully at those times. Don't make any session a struggle. Save the more difficult tasks for times when both you and your pup are in the proper frame of mind.
9. Reward works better than punishment. Use this knowledge to positively ?shape? your dog's behavior. To do this, begin by rewarding your pup's behaviors that come closer and closer to the precise behavior you're trying to establish.
10. Correct inappropriate behavior from the beginning. Things that might seem cute for a puppy to do are totally unacceptable behavior for a full grown dog. Correct these behaviors from the start with your puppy ? before habits form. The longer the behavior occurs the stronger the habit forms ? the more difficult it will be to eliminate the behavior. Nip it in the bud!

Practice the above tips without fail during your dog and puppy training sessions. Always keep in mind that patience, persistence, and consistence are key. Throw in lavish praise and reward ? and both you and your canine companion be well on your way to success. And visit e-dog-training.com for more up to date tips, advice, and information on all your dog and puppy training problems.

Week One: During your puppy's first week home (he should be around 8 weeks old), it is important to take him for a vet check up. Sample of his stool is checked for worms and preventive inoculations are given. As I said puppy training starts on day one by calling him by his new puppy name.

Set up his eating area as well as his crate or sleeping quarters. Begin the process of house training as well as collar and leash training. Watch him while he plays by himself and observe his style and personality. Play gently and enthusiastically but avoid rough housing. Say ?Ok? whenever you feed him, hand him a toy or a treat as you walk out the door with him. Use plenty of praise all the time.

Week Two: As you play with your puppy, gradually add simple phrases and words into the games. If he is retrieving, say ?Take it ?as you throw the object. Praise him when he brings the object back to you. Say ?Out? as he drops it and praise him again. Continue with ?Ok? during meal, for going out, with playing, housebreaking, leash training, and observing.

Week Three: During the third week of puppy training begin to correct him gently for nipping and for chewing on shoes, cords, and furniture. Provide a toy for him to chew instead. Even if he stays inside the house, be sure to walk him around on his leash everyday. Always use eye contact. Say ?Watch me? to draw his attention to your eyes. Praise him for looking at you. This method teaches him to look to you for direction.A great leash training idea is to begin tying his leash to your belt and have him trail around wherever you go; starting for a few minutes at a time, working up to an hour as it becomes easier. This will help him bond to you and will also help with his puppy training.

Start teaching table manners, beginning with ?No? and ?Ok? for food. Initiate the ?Sit? and ?Stay?, working for no more than five minutes at a time this week. If you are at home most of the time, make sure that you leave him alone for short periods of time during the day to get him used to being alone. Begin to correct the stealing of food and found objects - keeping in mind that prevention is your best correction. Correct excessive barking, noise, and whining.

Week Four: Carry on with all of the above puppy training, adding more time that he walks properly on leash. Continue practicing ?No? and ?Ok? with food no more than twice per week. Continue to let him explore the house under supervision, both on and off the leash. Initiate the ?Come? and ?Down stay? to your puppy training program. Work with your puppy no more than fifteen minutes at a time. If he is going out, you may start teaching him to ?Heel? but do it very gently. Get him used to grooming procedures such as brushing, nail clipping, and occasional baths. Always make sure that every puppy training session is run as a game that way your puppy will enjoy himself whilst being trained.

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Both M Bauer Pulis & John Mailer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

M Bauer Pulis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Puppies Dogs and Leadership. Article provided compliments of e-dog-training.com - Please visit our site for FREE helpful tips, information, and advice on dog and puppy training, puppy potty training, dog care, dog health and nutrition, and more. Full article available at:. M Bauer Pulis's top article generates over 1600 views. Bookmark M Bauer Pulis to your Favourites.

John Mailer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, College Student Loan and Parenting. John Mailer has written many articles about dogs and puppies and how to train them.Puppy Training. John Mailer's top article generates over 60500 views. Bookmark John Mailer to your Favourites.