Training Your New Puppy
PUT YOURSELF in your puppy’s place. Things you take for granted as part of everyday life are new to your puppy. Some things will scare him and some will excite his curiosity. How you react to these changes in his environment will make all the difference. If you are calm, reassuring and understanding of these experiences, your puppy will be much more apt to conform to his new surroundings.
Just remember, he is a puppy, so let him be a puppy. He needs to think and respond like a puppy. At this stage of his learning, everything around him will influence him for the rest of his life. Don’t expect too much. Be patient, consistent and positive. He will learn. It’s up to you to decide what he will learn.
One of the first things you must establish in your relationship is the role of the “Pack Leader.” Dogs are pack animals and therefore you must establish yourself as the pack leader. If you let him get away with bad behavior you may end up with an uncontrollable dog. If you train your puppy properly, you will have a happy, well adjusted dog who loves his life, his family and being a dog.
Examine your puppy - Every night, sit down on the floor with your puppy and massage his feet, legs, gums and ears. Also make sure his eyes are clear, his nose should be clean and wet without discharge and be sure his coat is clean and free of fleas and ticks.
Socialization - Start socializing your puppy right away. Make sure the environment and events are pleasant and nonthreatening. If your puppy’s first experience with something is frightening or painful, you’ll be defeating the purpose. Also, your puppy’s playmates should be completely vaccinated. Your puppy should start his vaccines at eight weeks of age.
Crate training - The key to house training is to establish a routine that increases chances that your puppy will eliminate in the right place and at the right time. When you are not home you should keep your housedog in a dog crate. Make this crate comfortable with a blanket, food and water. You should start a routine of coming home and immediately taking the puppy outside to an area where you want him to eliminate. Give your puppy treats and extra praise each time he masters his potty training.
Puppy kindergarten training – Professional obedience training is the best way for your puppy to get safe socialization and learn the basic training commands. This way he will learn basic commands like sit, stay, come when called and how to walk on a leash. G
For more information, contact the Haile Plantation Animal
Clinic at 377-6003. They are located in the Haile Village Center.
Their web site is www.haileanimalclinic.com.