Geek behavior of your favorite pup ;)

Puppy training actually begins within the litter. From about 3 weeks of age on, these newbies begin to explore their surroundings. By action and either negative, or positive response, acceptable behavior is learned. This is natures way.

Interaction with Mom and littermates also begins to establish hierarchy as common in most all social animal packs.

Geek your new puppy! It's a great idea whenever possible, to visit your breeder and watch how the pups interact.

Here you should look for a sociable pup to increase your odds for a well tempered dog. Choosing a pup who cowers off on its own, or seems to dominate and bully littermates may indicate a hard headed puppy.

With exception to what your puppy has learned within the litter, a puppy is like a blank canvas. It is a dry sponge so to speak and ready to soak up everything you will teach.

Every newly homed puppy marks a new adventure. While you may have been through puppy training time and time again, it's back to square one, what fun!

These first few days your puppy may be scared, timid and anxious due to the recent separation from its litter. During these initial stages I personally like to let my new puppy acclimate. Providing in minimum, a nice cozy den, puppy crate, some new soft toys, food, water and lots of love.

Keep a watchful eye during this period for potty breaks and try your best to avoid accidents. If you notice any changes in playful behavior, like stopping to sniff, quickly pick up your pup and bring it outside to a spot. This spot should be designated as a bathroom area. You should bring your puppy to the bathroom numerous times a day, before bed and upon awakening. It's never too soon to begin this potty training process.

Basics

Now in brief let's discuss the rest of our puppy training process. Each section here will soon link to a full article on specific topic.

At times you may get overwhelmed and very frustrated, this is expected. Yet yelling at and punishing a young puppy can lead to a timid or fearful dog. Your puppy will have accidents! Your puppy will chew on things! Your puppy may bark, whine and be disruptive!

Remember this is all normal behavior and the proper way to address this is keep a watchful eye and re direct bad behavior.

Puppy Training With a Crate or Den

The crate should be a pleasant den.

Instinctively, dogs are denning animals. By providing a crate of appropriate size and using it properly, you're fulfilling the natural desire of your dog to den.

The crate should not be used as punishment! Yes, an occasional time out is OK yet to scold a dog for an accident and lock it in its crate is NOT. A dog crate will also provide a safe, comfortable quiet place for your pup to rest. Also, this is an invaluable tool for potty training.

The first few nights expect whining and restlessness, maybe even for a week or two. It's common for a puppy to whine and cry and imperative that you ignore this.

This should all subside gradually once your puppy understands it is safe and becomes accustom to your schedule.

Potty Training

Potty training is more an understanding than a process. For the first few weeks of life dogs eliminate via stimulation by there mother. At about 3 or 4-weeks they will venture away from their littermates to eliminate. Nothing has changed within your home. It's all just fine far as a puppy is concerned to find a nice spot and eliminate. Typically, as long as it's away from where the eat or sleep.

Three keys to puppy training house breaking are a dog crate, a watchful eye and numerous trips to the bathroom area. Here we will use a "command" and praise our pups when they "finish" ;) Accidents will occur and it's important to catch your pup in the act. Now swiftly pick them up and bring them to the designated bathroom area. With repetition and patience accidents will diminish as an understanding is finally achieved.

Never rub your dogs nose in an accident or scold it after the fact. Over time and as your pup matures, their bladder control will increase and bathroom breaks will be fewer. It is often said that a dog can hold their urine for one hour with every month of age.

Bad Behavior

Redirect and praise, "good chewing" ;)

Of course things like chewing, barking, foraging through trash and other activities, while normal to a dog is a problem for us.

Like everything else, a watchful eye and catching your puppy in the act is key to developing an understanding of what is acceptable.

While I like to keep things positive these situations require intervention. A negative command such as "No", a redirect and then positive praises.

Socialization

I like to socialize, socialize, socialize. If yours is a toy or small breed, be sure to pass it around to friends and family. Just be sure they are aware how to properly handle a puppy as serious injury and broken bones are common with dropped dogs, especially toy breeds. When socializing larger breeds, encourage interaction with everyone you meet keeping a calm, confident attitude and body language at all times.

Socializing with other dogs and animals is also important from an early age and will result in a friendly, trustworthy adult dog. Just keep in mind it is best to hold off on socializing with other dogs until your vaccination protocol is complete, about three or four months of age. There a tons of nasty viruses and parasites that can be transmitted to an unprotected puppy, especially at dog parks.

Puppy Training Obedience

Obedience training can begin once your pup has settled in. Just keep in mind that the attention span of a young dog is minimal, maybe 5 to 10-minutes tops. Two or three short obedience training sessions per day is perfect.

Using positive training with a young puppy will build a trust and confidence. Working for praises and rewards is fun and your puppy will want to learn.

As with any training timing, consistency and repetition is key, repeat, reapeat and repeat!

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