We believe to achieve the humble obedience and canine etiquette that you are looking for in your puppy, you must always duplicate the kind, consistent, training attitude of a canine leader. You will need to set rules and boundaries, and enforce them in a patient, consistent, and confident way for your canine friend. You must always "Seek the Valuable Lesson" and assume that whatever situation you and your Puppy are facing at the moment is exactly the right situation you need to ultimately be a successful team. This situation has been sent to you to help you both learn something, to help you become better, to help you and your Puppy expand and grow into that Dynamic, Loving, Human and Canine Family.
Canines are social beings and crave structure. It is up to you to position yourself as the alpha leader for your sweet canine friend, establishing that your puppy falls into a certain rank (as a child would) in the family pack ranking order. This can be done in a very positive and gentle manner allowing your puppy to always keep their self esteem and respect. You are the role model and "Top Dog" your puppy watches, loves, wags their tail at, and looks to each day for direction, rules and encouragement.
You will want to "Focus on the Future". Whatever challenges you and your Puppy face, focus on the future rather than on the past. Instead of worrying about what happened on the carpet and who is to blame, focus on where you want to be and what you want to do with your puppy and solutions to whatever in the past needs to change. Get a clear mental image of your ideal successful future of the two of you running, playing, and harmoniously living together, and then take whatever action you can to begin moving in that direction. Become solution oriented with every difficulty you and your Puppy face. Make a habit of looking for the answers to your questions, and create the solutions to your problems. Get your mind, your thoughts, and your mental images on the future and keep learning.
Look for the Good in Everthing and assume that something good is hidden within each difficulty or challenge that arises. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, a major proponent of positive thinking, once said, "Whenever God wants to give us a gift, he wraps it up in a problem." The wonderful thing is that when you look for the gift, you will always find it. Decide to be Positive and require your puppy to everything he or she wants in life. This is a very safe, non-confrontational way for you to establish and maintain complete control of your puppy at all times. It is a permanent - life of your dog, obedience training method. To learn more...
Practicing this positive method will gently and effectively communicate to your loved one that their position in the hierarchy is subordinate to yours, like a parent and a child. You must always treat your dog with care, consideration and respect.
Always use positive reinforcement methods a few of the "Sit" "Down" and "Stay" are the most useful and necessary commands in order for your puppy to develop proper canine manners and stay safe. You want your puppy to trust you and consider you their friend. Once you've given your pooch a command, don't give your little baby what they want until they do what you want. It's as simple as that! If your puppy refuses to perform the command, walk away, come back a few minutes later, and start all over again. If your puppy refuses to obey the command, be patient and remember that eventually your puppy will have to obey your command to achieve their goals. To learn more...
We have been taught by our parents and teachers since we were youngsters that we should say "Please" when we ask for something. No Free Lunch Dog Philosophy has the same teaching. If your puppy wants to be pet and receive a scratch, he or she has to give a "Doggie Please". The doggie way to give a "Please" is to sit and wait or do whatever command you ask of them.
To learn more - Try our Free Puppy Training Course This complete training course is free and has much more detailed information to help you and examples that can help your puppy bond to you and become that well trained, Dynamic Dog of your dreams.
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example 1: A human child asks to go outside to play, right? Your puppy must ask also. If your puppy wants to go outside to play or lay in the sun, they have to learn that yes, they can go play outside or lay in the sun, and even get extra rewards and lay on the porch a while, but only when he or she sits and waits at the door until you give them permission to go outside. It’s very simple.
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example 2: Before your dog comes back inside your house: They must always be compliant to your rule to calmly obey your command to "sit" at the door and "wait" till you give the verbal command and/or hand signal that they may come in. (This is a wonderful technique - No more running out in front of you or trying to get into the door in front of you and/or your company.)
example 2: After your puppy is potty trained, in order to go to the bathroom your baby has to ask you if he or she can go outside by ringing a bell and waiting by the door, or coming to get you and letting you know in a way you have taught them.
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example 3: Petting is a reward for your puppy, so it’s your responsibility to take control and don't hand it out for free. When your puppy approaches you for petting, first ask he or she to say a "Doggie Please" by sitting or doing something else for you. If your pooch does what you ask, pet and praise you puppy. If he or she doesn't give you a "Doggie Please", then there is no reward for them.
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example 4: Never let your puppy have access to a bowl of food all day long. Control the food. Free feeding is a big doggie “NoNo”. Food is such a highly valued thing, your puppy must earn all food from you, including treats, by responding to a verbal and/or hand signal cue from a family pack member.
Children are required to wash their hands, come to the table and sit politely at dinner time at our house and we expect all puppies to also be polite. All meals need to be earned. Your loved one should have to sit and wait till you give them the sign that it is time for them to eat. This is just good doggie manners. See “Feeding Strategy” day 2-tomorrow.
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example 5: When someone comes to the door: Your puppy must always be relaxed, obey your command to "sit" or go lay down on the dog bed and stay there until after the company leave or till you give them the "okay" that they can come over and meet your guests. After your guests leave, your puppydog can be rewarded with a pet or scratch on the head.
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example 6: Before putting a leash on your puppy's collar or going for a walk: Your puppy must always be relaxed, calmly obey your command to "sit" and "wait" until you give the signal that you are ready to put the leash on and you are ready to go on your walk together.
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example 7: Before playing a game of fetch: Your sweetheart must always be calm, and obey your command to sit for you each time, before you throw the fetching toy.
Many families will make a list of the "doggie words" and "doggie training techniques" and place the list on the refrigerator or in a place where everyone can read it. Once your puppy has mastered a few of your basic commands, you can give your little pooch anything (food, a treat, a walk, a pat on the head, scratching their back), but before you share this love and attention with them, they must first perform one of the commands they have learned.
This is one of the single most important canine building blocks you will ever do for your puppy to help them build a stable mind, an obedient attitude, and the desire to please you.