Since puppies will do nearly ANYthing to see your happy smiling face, show them the fastest and easist ways to be a Good Dog and they will happily comply. Praises and cuddles are all the rewards they need. Moving towards "What a good dog!" from "Bad Puppy!" is based on one thing. Your puppy does not know the English language, and the faster he learns it, the better for all, because the minute he knows what you want he will DO it. Make it faster and easier for him to learn by keeping these tips in mind: 1. Be consistent in the words you choose to teach him commands.
If you say, "Wanna go potty?" in the morning, and "Have to go out?" two hours later, and "Wanna go pee?" two hours later, etc., then you are expecting him to learn three commands on his first day, instead of learning one phrase really well. Decide which words to use, and make sure everyone in your family uses the same ones. 2. Use his name in the command if you want action, do NOT use it if you want him restricted from action. This is very important.
When a dog hears his own name, his nature is to leap into action. When you want your puppy to come, say, "Puppy, Come!" [insert his name instead of the word Puppy, of course] When you want him to lie down, simply say, "Down". 3. Do not confuse your puppy with the same words for different commands. If you are teaching your puppy basic obedience commands, the word "Down" means to LIE down, usually followed by "Stay.
" If you do not want your dog to use the couch, say the word, "Off", not the word, "Down"." This word can be used to keep him from jumping up into your lap, onto the couch, chair or bed because it is the ACTION of jumping up you are trying to restrict. Saying "Down" when he jumps onto the couch will just make him lie down on the couch! See the difference? Do not ever hit your puppy, you dont need to. The worst punishment he ever needs to learn a lesson is your sad frown and walking away from him.
Do not overdo this command, one or two minutes is long enough. After a minute of ignoring him, give a command he knows well and praise praise praise, with a big smile. These three tips, used with gentleness and consistency, will teach your puppy all the words he needs to know to be a happy and obedient companion in a matter of days.
Dy Witt has shown, bred and trained standard poodles for 25 years. Vets and groomers of her pups send word back of how wonderfully happy and easy to handle they are. For more on her training techniques, more free articles and info on her ebook on dog training, visit http://www.DogTraining15MinsADay.com
