How to Train Your Puppy - The Critical Period
The time when a dog is most sensitive to learning is between 5 and 12 weeks.
I find that this period is best used to imprint obedience training commands, and reward techniques.
This way they become conditioned to respond to all future advanced training aimed at encouraging acceptable behaviour and positive manners.
When training your puppy you must use a firm and even tone of voice.
This does not mean shouting.
Always be sure to reprimand a puppy within TWO seconds of the event, so that the puppy can link your displeasure to its actions.
If you have children, get them to help you with basic obedience training.
Time spent playing with your puppy, helps to build the bond between you.
Words in themselves mean little to a dog or puppy.
If you watch any good dog trainer in action, you will notice that they use tone of voice.
A word should be delivered in short, crisp one or two syllables.
When praising a puppy or dog, always use a softer gentler tone.
All dogs, whatever age or stage of development they are in, learn by association.
Praise whether in the form of encouraging words, stroking or food, is a potent bonus for a dog.
If you want to command your puppy to sit while praising him/her warmly at the same time, they will soon learn that this action is a rewarding one.
In whatever training, consistency is critical.
Always treat the action in the same way, not necessarily using the same reward, but making sure that you do reward (where appropriate).
There are many things that a puppy will grow to consider as powerful rewards; - Food - Toys - Exercise - Or even just time spent with you.
In the same way that reward is effective in encouraging behaviours that we approve of, punishment is effective in discouraging behaviour that we do not approve of.
There are of course many ways that we can show displeasure with certain behaviours (without resorting to hitting a dog or puppy).
They include, saying "NO" firmly while holding the collar or scruff of the dogs neck, or something which I have found to be particularly effective, the ALPHA stare.
This is a simple technique, when your dog does something undesirable, such as play biting, simply grab them by the collar while commanding "NO", and star into the dogs eyes for a few seconds.
The reason this works so well, goes back to the natural pack behaviour instinct that all dogs have.
The ALPHA (pack leader) stare, is seen as an unpleasant consequence that they would rather avoid.
I find that this period is best used to imprint obedience training commands, and reward techniques.
This way they become conditioned to respond to all future advanced training aimed at encouraging acceptable behaviour and positive manners.
When training your puppy you must use a firm and even tone of voice.
This does not mean shouting.
Always be sure to reprimand a puppy within TWO seconds of the event, so that the puppy can link your displeasure to its actions.
If you have children, get them to help you with basic obedience training.
Time spent playing with your puppy, helps to build the bond between you.
Words in themselves mean little to a dog or puppy.
If you watch any good dog trainer in action, you will notice that they use tone of voice.
A word should be delivered in short, crisp one or two syllables.
When praising a puppy or dog, always use a softer gentler tone.
All dogs, whatever age or stage of development they are in, learn by association.
Praise whether in the form of encouraging words, stroking or food, is a potent bonus for a dog.
If you want to command your puppy to sit while praising him/her warmly at the same time, they will soon learn that this action is a rewarding one.
In whatever training, consistency is critical.
Always treat the action in the same way, not necessarily using the same reward, but making sure that you do reward (where appropriate).
There are many things that a puppy will grow to consider as powerful rewards; - Food - Toys - Exercise - Or even just time spent with you.
In the same way that reward is effective in encouraging behaviours that we approve of, punishment is effective in discouraging behaviour that we do not approve of.
There are of course many ways that we can show displeasure with certain behaviours (without resorting to hitting a dog or puppy).
They include, saying "NO" firmly while holding the collar or scruff of the dogs neck, or something which I have found to be particularly effective, the ALPHA stare.
This is a simple technique, when your dog does something undesirable, such as play biting, simply grab them by the collar while commanding "NO", and star into the dogs eyes for a few seconds.
The reason this works so well, goes back to the natural pack behaviour instinct that all dogs have.
The ALPHA (pack leader) stare, is seen as an unpleasant consequence that they would rather avoid.
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