To raise a dog or teach an old dog new tricks, you need to follow certain protocol. These tips will ensure that you're the alpha dog in your house.
1. Positive Vibrations: Whether training a puppy or your husband, it's much better to use positive reinforcement than to scold and punish. Rewards go a long way, and remember that this puppy is young – it takes a ton of repetition for a puppy to learn a new trick. If the puppy doesn't do what you want, forgive him and try to prevent it from happening again in the future.
2. Potty Training: Puppies like to keep their beds clean. While you are around the house, your puppy should be confined in his crate or designated area – he should not have free reign this early. Every hour, go outside with your pup to where you want him to eliminate. Use a word or phrase that he will associate with going to the bathroom. If the puppy potties, reinforce this good behavior with positive encouragement. If he doesn't, take him inside and try again in 20 minutes. After he potties, bring him back in and play with him for some time, then put him back in his crate. During the night, he will need to go, so set your alarm for once or twice during the night and take him out. Don't feed him or give him water before bedtime. After eating, wait 15 minutes and take him out.
3. The Crate: This should not be a place for punishing your dog; instead, he should chew his toys and feel comfortable being alone here eventually. Water, bedding and toys should be part of the positive environment you set up for your puppy. Keep the crate in your bedroom at the beginning. Feed your puppy in his crate, put toys in the crate and lock the door with the puppy outside. Whenever he shows interest in the crate – at first looking, and then walking over and smelling – praise him and give him treats. After he's comfortable in the crate, feed him treats through the mesh cage. Gradually increase the amount of time he's in the crate while he eats these treats, beginning with 10 seconds. If he begins to whine, you're moving too fast.
4. Walking on a leash: The collar comes first. When he forgets about it, attach the leash. When he forgets about it, pick it up. Walk around the house with him. When he walks away from you, don't yank him; stop and call him. When he comes back to you, praise him. Never keep walking while he strains on the leash; it reinforces the habit.
After these behaviors have been cemented, it's time for more advanced training like puppy socializing, commands, and specialized problems like biting or barking. After this, it's important to take your pup to the vet, and you may want to think about dog insurance. Dog insurance, or any kind of pet health insurance is a great way to save money on your dog's health problems, which if they occur, can be devastatingly expensive. Good luck training, and remember positive reinforcement is the only way to train your pup.
Author Resource:-
www.PetAssure.com is the preferred alternative to insurance coverage for your family pet. Unlike pet health insurance, all pets are covered; regardless of age, medical condition or any pre-existing condition. There are no exclusions, no deductibles and no waiting for reimbursement with our pet health plan .
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
