Patch O' Pits
05-17-2006, 11:09 AM
Tips for Training /Socializing Your Pup
The Patch O' Pits Way
These are actually just some of the things I do with all my new pups
Persistence, Patience, Praise and over all consistency will very important in working with your pup at any age.
I figured I'd put this up since several people just got new babies. Please add on more to help out the newbies
I think little kids really help with socializing pups the best, they make strange noises, often pet awkward, smell funny hehehhe so I always borrow some from my family and neighbors since I don't have any of my own!
Touching-Touch them all over from mouths to toes. Put some dog toothpaste on your finger and rub it on their teeth and gums;
next start using a little toothbrush in their mouths
Nail cutting-I found was easiest when they were asleep LOL I used regular infant nail cutters on teeny ones then dog nail clippers as they grow and then later a dremel.
Using clickers I used clickers a lot when they were really little and you'd be surprised how fast they picked things up. If you want to do it:
-Just wait for them to complete the task click treat and praise
- Also get a clicker that has a little hole at the end so you can tie it around your wrist or your neck because they can be a pain in the neck to hold while you are training and you need it handy
Calling by nameI named all the pups in the litter so this was easy. One of the first things they learned was to respond to their names. This makes all other training 10x easier.
Call them click or praise and uses toys or treat when they are old enough for treats ... mashed up cheddar cheese or liver is nice and smelly and works wonders!!!!!! Use whatever works well for you!
Noises
Introduce the pups to a variety of sounds. Since I slept with them They got to hear my alarm clock every time it was time for a feeding LOL they learned what that meant quick. I was up for all of the feedings to begin with to make sure everyone was thriving and getting enough. They also had a TV and radio in that room.
After the first week or so I vacuumed around them usually when they were eating but not right near them. They heard normal every day noises I didn't try to keep anyone quiet.
SOME OTHER good noises/things to get used too:
opening and closing umbrella's by them when they get to be about 7 weeks and let them stiff and see the umbrella when it is both opened and closed
clanging dog dishes drop pans
Textures
When they start to walk and are not like weebles but them onto different surfaces
Counters, the tub, flooring, blankets, pillows, the grass if it is warm enough outside, sand, dirt, etc.
You want to take them to work on basic commands 1 at a time for not more than 2-3 minutes here and there throughout the day this does not apply to the potty command, do that as much as needed lol.
"POTTY"
once they are ready to venture outside teach them the potty command and treat it as any other training lots of rewards. LOL I used the licker w/ mine at first for this too. My neighbors think it is pretty funny!
I find the easiest way to house train is to crate train. The crate will be a safe place for your puppy when you can't be with them.
Some signs that they have to go are, sniffing, circling, pacing, squatting
Crate training overview
Get a crate that they can stand turn around in a lay down , do not give them more room then that until they are trained or they will use it as a toilet.
Many crates come with divider pannels so the crate grows with the puppy.
When you can supervise the pup keep them out with you.Take them to potty before and after eating, when they wake up, after they lay and many many times in between
Try to get them on a schedule
do not use the crate as punishment it needs to remain a happy , safe place for them.
"COME"
The most important command in my book!!!! Knowing their names really helped w/ this one!
This starts as soon as they are wobbling around. kneel about a foot away extend your hand and say the dog's name and come with your hand with food as a lure right by their little nose and bring them into you then can say YEAAAAAAAA (heheh) make a big fuss
As they get bigger, you'll do less luring w/ food and you go up on your feet then you will eventually call them from a little farther away. This takes weeks!!!!!!! You can also call them to come and then run away from them a tiny bit to get their attention and motivate them to chase/come to you.
"OUT"
As soon as the pup plays tug w/ you teach the OUT command
you can also start teaching these below commands as well:
"SIT" use food right above the pups nose and your sit hand signal while saying sit and gentle hands to help get the pup in position then click treat and praise
ONLY SAY THE actual command ONE TIME
"DOWN" similar to the above just the hand signal and food positioning are different.
this time put the food by the dogs nose then down between his front legs and ease him into a down saying DOWN only 1X. When he is there the second he does it click treat and praise
I didn't go into a lot of detail so if you need more just let me know...
STAY Since stay is a harder command for young pups to learn I recomend you teach it last after the basic command. Scroll down a couple of posts to see the lesson. I broke it down and fully explained to make it easier as it can be more of a challenge to teach
Some Appropriate chew toys
frozen carrots, nylabones and kongs make great chew toys.
never leave them unattended with toys they can break pieces off of and swallow such as stuffed animals and plastic chew toys
Bite inhibition:
All puppies do go throught the biting stage as they are teething.
When the pup does play to rough or even nip a little say "NO" in a firm voice just like you are but then also redirect the behavior to a toy like a rope ect. You have to make the toy more interesting than you. You can't just throw it or give it to him and expect him to stop
If you are willing to put the time into training and working with the dog. This is not a major issue.
Classes
When your pup is old enough and vaccinated you can start socializing with other dogs and get out in public to expose them more.
Puppy kindergarten classes and basic obedience classes are not just good for first time owners, but great for socializing the dogs and getting them on their way to becoming a good citizen and great family member.
Most dogs that end up in shelters are great dogs that their owners didn't take the time and effort to work with properly
WARNING if you do all this the pups and you both will develop a very strong bond much more than you'd even expect, heheheh
Please add in your tips to help new puppy owners too
The Patch O' Pits Way
These are actually just some of the things I do with all my new pups
Persistence, Patience, Praise and over all consistency will very important in working with your pup at any age.
I figured I'd put this up since several people just got new babies. Please add on more to help out the newbies
I think little kids really help with socializing pups the best, they make strange noises, often pet awkward, smell funny hehehhe so I always borrow some from my family and neighbors since I don't have any of my own!
Touching-Touch them all over from mouths to toes. Put some dog toothpaste on your finger and rub it on their teeth and gums;
next start using a little toothbrush in their mouths
Nail cutting-I found was easiest when they were asleep LOL I used regular infant nail cutters on teeny ones then dog nail clippers as they grow and then later a dremel.
Using clickers I used clickers a lot when they were really little and you'd be surprised how fast they picked things up. If you want to do it:
-Just wait for them to complete the task click treat and praise
- Also get a clicker that has a little hole at the end so you can tie it around your wrist or your neck because they can be a pain in the neck to hold while you are training and you need it handy
Calling by nameI named all the pups in the litter so this was easy. One of the first things they learned was to respond to their names. This makes all other training 10x easier.
Call them click or praise and uses toys or treat when they are old enough for treats ... mashed up cheddar cheese or liver is nice and smelly and works wonders!!!!!! Use whatever works well for you!
Noises
Introduce the pups to a variety of sounds. Since I slept with them They got to hear my alarm clock every time it was time for a feeding LOL they learned what that meant quick. I was up for all of the feedings to begin with to make sure everyone was thriving and getting enough. They also had a TV and radio in that room.
After the first week or so I vacuumed around them usually when they were eating but not right near them. They heard normal every day noises I didn't try to keep anyone quiet.
SOME OTHER good noises/things to get used too:
opening and closing umbrella's by them when they get to be about 7 weeks and let them stiff and see the umbrella when it is both opened and closed
clanging dog dishes drop pans
Textures
When they start to walk and are not like weebles but them onto different surfaces
Counters, the tub, flooring, blankets, pillows, the grass if it is warm enough outside, sand, dirt, etc.
You want to take them to work on basic commands 1 at a time for not more than 2-3 minutes here and there throughout the day this does not apply to the potty command, do that as much as needed lol.
"POTTY"
once they are ready to venture outside teach them the potty command and treat it as any other training lots of rewards. LOL I used the licker w/ mine at first for this too. My neighbors think it is pretty funny!
I find the easiest way to house train is to crate train. The crate will be a safe place for your puppy when you can't be with them.
Some signs that they have to go are, sniffing, circling, pacing, squatting
Crate training overview
Get a crate that they can stand turn around in a lay down , do not give them more room then that until they are trained or they will use it as a toilet.
Many crates come with divider pannels so the crate grows with the puppy.
When you can supervise the pup keep them out with you.Take them to potty before and after eating, when they wake up, after they lay and many many times in between
Try to get them on a schedule
do not use the crate as punishment it needs to remain a happy , safe place for them.
"COME"
The most important command in my book!!!! Knowing their names really helped w/ this one!
This starts as soon as they are wobbling around. kneel about a foot away extend your hand and say the dog's name and come with your hand with food as a lure right by their little nose and bring them into you then can say YEAAAAAAAA (heheh) make a big fuss
As they get bigger, you'll do less luring w/ food and you go up on your feet then you will eventually call them from a little farther away. This takes weeks!!!!!!! You can also call them to come and then run away from them a tiny bit to get their attention and motivate them to chase/come to you.
"OUT"
As soon as the pup plays tug w/ you teach the OUT command
you can also start teaching these below commands as well:
"SIT" use food right above the pups nose and your sit hand signal while saying sit and gentle hands to help get the pup in position then click treat and praise
ONLY SAY THE actual command ONE TIME
"DOWN" similar to the above just the hand signal and food positioning are different.
this time put the food by the dogs nose then down between his front legs and ease him into a down saying DOWN only 1X. When he is there the second he does it click treat and praise
I didn't go into a lot of detail so if you need more just let me know...
STAY Since stay is a harder command for young pups to learn I recomend you teach it last after the basic command. Scroll down a couple of posts to see the lesson. I broke it down and fully explained to make it easier as it can be more of a challenge to teach
Some Appropriate chew toys
frozen carrots, nylabones and kongs make great chew toys.
never leave them unattended with toys they can break pieces off of and swallow such as stuffed animals and plastic chew toys
Bite inhibition:
All puppies do go throught the biting stage as they are teething.
When the pup does play to rough or even nip a little say "NO" in a firm voice just like you are but then also redirect the behavior to a toy like a rope ect. You have to make the toy more interesting than you. You can't just throw it or give it to him and expect him to stop
If you are willing to put the time into training and working with the dog. This is not a major issue.
Classes
When your pup is old enough and vaccinated you can start socializing with other dogs and get out in public to expose them more.
Puppy kindergarten classes and basic obedience classes are not just good for first time owners, but great for socializing the dogs and getting them on their way to becoming a good citizen and great family member.
Most dogs that end up in shelters are great dogs that their owners didn't take the time and effort to work with properly
WARNING if you do all this the pups and you both will develop a very strong bond much more than you'd even expect, heheheh
Please add in your tips to help new puppy owners too