Getting Started with your New Puppy

Helpful tips and suggestions

by Jude Iaconianni

House Training and Paper Training;   

House Training actually begins with "Training yourself First".

Create a schedule, routine and stick to it 100%.  Start out with small time

frames like every 30 to 45 minutes and slowly extend this time longer.  

Use the same door and/or area while training.   Carry the puppy near the door

you have selected repeating your command a few times in a playful excited tone.

Pick something and don't change it   "Outside"   "Potty Time"   "Let's Go Outside"

As your puppy learns this command stretch out the distance from the door where

you set the puppy down.  You may even start out carrying the puppy all the way

outside to the potty area.

Praise and reward with success immediately after they potty but continue to stay

outside with your puppy for several minutes after they potty.  They might not be finished

or they may learn to associate going potty with having to go back inside.

This association can lead them to hold it while they are outside until they want to

go back inside.  Always take your puppy outside after waking up from a nap and after

play sessions.

Watch for sniffing at the floor.  In most cases this leads to potty activities.

Use your command you selected and proceed to the door and/or area for going potty.

If you do not catch them before they have a accident or during the accident reprimanding

will have no effect.  In fact punishing after the accident occurred could actually cause

them to just be more sneaky about it.

Getting through the First Few Nights:

Try using a small crate or carrier on a chair next to the bed where the puppy can see

you.  Make sure the crate or carrier is stable and with puppy movements it won't tip or

fall.  Place the puppies bed, blanket, stuffed toy and or chew toy with the puppy at night.

 If the puppy begins to cry or bark tell your puppy  "NO" and stick your finger through the

crate or carrier at the bottom but don't play with the puppy.  Try not to move your fingers

or the  puppy may think its play time.  In most cases the puppy will sniff maybe lick or

nibble at your finger then will settle down and lay against your finger.  Once the puppy

settles and goes back to sleep slowly remove your finger.  This reassures the puppy

they are safe and not alone and builds confidence in your puppy.

Do's and Don'ts:

Never chase or lunge at your puppy trying to catch it.   This can lead to a fearful

dog that will run from you when you call it by name.  Always try to coax or call the puppy

over to you then pet and reward the puppy when they come to you. If you need to retrieve

the puppy try to move slowly towards them always pet and reward when you get your puppy. 

No matter how frustrated or angry you are at the puppy for not coming to you scolding or

punishing the puppy may teach your puppy that coming to you when called is not

rewarding and cause your puppy to avoid contact with you. 

In other words it teaches your puppy to "RUN and HIDE" when it hears its name.

Always stick with easy simple commands:  Short and simple commands

work best.  Try not to overwhelm your puppy with to many commands to learn at the

same time.  Teach one trick at a time.

When teaching verbal commands try to associate the verbal command with a

hand signal or visual command at the same time.   You never know as your puppy

grows and enters his/her senior years whether they will loose their sight or hearing. 

By teaching both verbal and visual commands you prepare yourself and your dog

if they ever become hearing or sight impaired.