Training Tips

"Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear of punishment."

—Ghandi

Stimulation to prevent chewing
Dogs need physical and mental stimulation. Your schedule should include exercising your dog regularly by providing an outlet suitable to him (long walks, runs, a rousing game of fetch or tug or a trip to the dog park). Looking for a reliable dog walker to help you out? Additionally, when your dog is home alone, it is beneficial to provide activities for him/her. Ideas include stuffed Kongs, rope toys, Buster Cubes, bully sticks or sterile bones. Here are some ideas on the art of Kong stuffing (in PDF format).


Housetraining
Housetraining is a breeze if a crate is properly introduced to your dog. Crate training exploits your dog’s natural instinct to keep his bed clean. Make his crate an enjoyable place to be by providing special treats or stuffed Kongs that he never gets when he is not in the crate. His first experiences of the crate should be with allowances in and out, play nearby and lots of praise and treats. Graduate to putting him in the crate for very short durations (starting with seconds). Gradually increase the amount of time he can spend in the crate. Sometimes with you in the room, sometimes when you leave the room.

Once your dog is used to the crate, he should spend all unsupervised non-empty time there. Unsupervised means that your dog does not have 100% of your attention. Non-empty means it has been approximately 45 minutes (in young puppies) since the last elimination. Additional likely elimination times include:

• When he is first let out of his crate
• Very first thing in the morning
• After eating
• After napping
• Last thing before bed
• Also, young puppies (8-10 weeks) usually need to go out every hour

If you take your dog out at one of these times and he does not eliminate outside, re-crate to avoid accidents and take him out again in 30 minutes. During housetraining, when your dog eliminates outside give immense amounts of praise and lots of treats. Make it an exciting event so he knows that you love it when he eliminates outside.

During the day, puppies can generally "hold it" for as many hours as they are months old. Use this thumbrule so you never leave your puppy in the crate for too long. The clock starts from when the puppy last peed (not from when you put the puppy in the crate). If you are crating your dog overnight, in the beginning you may have to wake up to let him out during the night, in case he can't hold it.

If you are indoors and see that your dog is about to eliminate interrupt him by clapping your hands and making happy talk and take him directly outdoors (carrying him, if necessary, like in an elevator building). If you find a mess after-the-fact, hit yourself on the head with a newspaper for not properly supervising.

Socialization
The ripest time to socialize your dog is before he is 4 to 6 months old. If puppies are not exposed to a variety of people, dogs and circumstances during this period, they are more likely to grow up with fear and aggression problems. If you have a puppy at this young age it is your responsibility to introduce him to as many people, children, places and things as is humanly possible. Introduce him to the vacuum cleaner, television, clatter of pots and pans, car rides, traffic noises and being touched, handled and brushed (by a variety of people). Make every experience a good one.

For more thorough discussion on the above topics or for more advice and training help, please contact Julie Sonenberg at One Smart Puppy, Inc.