Why are these online puppy training classes offered free of charge, you ask? I believe people want to have a well trained, nicely behaved, happy, social, easy to travel with, canine family member.
I cannot stress enough the importance of starting your puppy off right from the very beginning. If you have not already adopted a puppy, please read through this site thoroughly, including the training classes, as you will be prepared for problems before they happen. I also have a list of recommended books which you may find helpful for both the training assistance and also for the insight in to your dog's psychology.
1. BE POSITIVE.
There is absolutely no excuse for training your puppy using a rolled up newspaper. There are so many fantastic positive methods that will create a happy, outgoing, willing to please puppy. Please learn to train your puppy with positive training methods.
2. HAVE AGE APPROPRIATE EXPECTATIONS.
Puppies are going through different developmental stages just as human children go through developmental stages. Do not expect your 8 Week Old Puppy to have the bladder control of a two year old dog.
3. SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE
It is always amazing when a dog owner is surprised that their two year old dog who has rarely left the house is afraid of kids, snappy with other dogs, and wildly crazy on lead. You would not raise your child without taking them out in to the world. Please do not expect that you will be able to raise a puppy in a proverbial box and end up with a social, outgoing, friendly adult dog.
4. TAKE A CLASS
It doesn't matter who you are, you are more likely to train each week if you are signed up for a class you have already paid for. It is funny that dog trainers who have been to many, many classes over the years seem to recognize this and always take classes with a new puppy, yet the pet owner who has been to one session of classes ten years ago thinks that previous knowledge will be all that is needed with a new puppy.
5. STICK TO YOUR HOUSETRAINING REGIMINE UNTIL YOUR PUPPY IS 100% RELIABLE
I find that humans reliably stop working on housetraining when their puppies are only 98% reliable. The puppy then has an accident that goes unnoticed and gets confused about why going potty in the house is now allowed. Do not stop working at housetraining too early or you will end up back at square one.
6. START TRAINING GAMES AS SOON AS YOUR PUPPY ARRIVES.
Puppies are capable of learning at eight weeks. Do not wait until your puppy is six months old to begin training.
7. CRATE TRAIN YOUR PUPPY
A crate is not a punishment. Dogs are not like people. People get claustrophobic when locked in to a small space. Dogs naturally live in dens and find enclosed spaces safe and comforting. Your puppy may not like the crate at first as your puppy probably wants to be with you all of the time, but once your puppy is accustomed to being put in a crate and understands that the crate is associated with yummy cookies and bones, it will be a safe and relaxing place for your puppy to stay when you are not able to watch him.
8. INVEST TIME INTO YOUR PUPPY
You will spend the first two years of your dog's life creating the kind of dog you want to live with for the following ten to fourteen years. You will literally reap what you sow.
9. PLENTY OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE
A tired puppy is a good puppy. You need to provide daily mental and physical stimulation for your puppy.
10. PROVIDE OFFLEAD PLAY TIME WITH OTHER DOGS
Your puppy needs time to play off lead with other dogs. Playing with other puppies and also with adult dogs will give your puppy a chance to learn to speak dog. Your puppy needs to learn to interact properly with other dogs or you may end up with a fearful or aggressive adult dog or an adult dog who simply send the wrong signals to other dogs. Your puppy needs to be around adult dogs who provide appropriate corrections in order to learn that he/she is not in charge of the entire world. Your puppy needs to be around other puppies to learn to play and also to learn bite inhibition.
Please do not think that because this is a puppy focused website, that these lessons are not appropriate for training and working with an adult dog. If you have not already adopted a puppy, you might consider visiting your local Animal Shelter to see if there is a dog there who will suit the needs of you and your family. Have you ever wished you could do something to make this world a better place? You can make the difference between life and death for one dog. Visit your local animal shelter and give a shelter dog the chance for a happy life.
Dog Obedience Training, Dog Obedience, Pet Training, Puppy Training, Housebreaking, Choosing A Breeder, Choosing A Puppy, Online Puppy Classes, Puppy Kindergarten
