Training Your Puppy In 5 Minutes E-Book

Miriam Fields-Babineau

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Positive Training
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 155

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

From puppy to senior - and every stage of life in between - Positive-Training Series books offer fanciers savvy advice straight from the experts.

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Leseprobe

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Miriam Fields-Babineau has been training dogs and other animals professionally since 1978. She has owned and operated Training Unlimited Animal Training and Animal Actors, Inc., for 25 years. She teaches people how to communicate with and train their dogs, of any age or breed, specializing in behavioral problem-solving.

Ms. Fields-Babineau has authored many animal-related books, including Dog Training with a Head Halter (Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.), the e-book How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer (Intellectua.com), Dog Training Basics (Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.) and many more. She writes numerous articles for trade magazines, such as the award-winning Off-Lead Magazine and Practical Horseman. She has produced the videos The First Hello, which addresses how to prepare a dog for the arrival of an infant, and Dog Training with a Comfort Trainer, which demonstrates how to train a dog using her head-halter design, the Comfort Trainer.

Ms. Fields-Babineau also provides animals for television, film and advertising, having worked with National Geographic, Animal Planet, the History Channel, Warner Films, Orion Films, the Discovery Channel, CBS, the Family Channel and many more. When not training other people’s animal companions, she travels the country, performing in equine and canine competitions as well as exhibiting the skills of her trained felines.

The author, Miriam Fields-Babineau, with Golden Retriever puppies.

Photographs by Evan Cohen, with additional photos byBernd Brinkmann, Miriam Fields-Babineau, Isabelle Francais and Carol Ann Johnson.

The publisher would like to thank all of the owners of the dogs featured in this book.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®: TRAINING YOUR PUPPY IN 5 MINUTESISBN 13: 978-1-59378-593-2

Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books® • A Division of BowTie, Inc.40 Broad Street, Freehold NJ 07728 USACover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

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Contents

Introduction

Dispel common training myths and see how your pup starts learning right from birth, as well as how you can use his puppy attention span for short, effective teaching sessions.

Know Your Puppy

Gain an understanding of how to approach your pup’s training based on breed-specific traits. Learn about temperament testing, along with scores and interpretations of the dog’s reactions.

Starting Off on the Right Paw

To have a good relationship with your pup, you have to be prepared to give him the care that he needs. Learn how to get your house and family ready for the new arrival, explore basic grooming and healthcare issues, discuss specific care needs and find out how to keep your pup happily occupied and out of trouble.

Get to Know the Schedule

Just as important as teaching basic commands is teaching your dog to have proper potty habits. Presented here is an effective house-training plan, including when and how often to go out, proper use of the crate, teaching a potty command and creating a daily routine to ensure clean habits.

Think Dog: Woof, Woof, Grrr, Woof! Yip!

What are you saying to your dog? What does he think you are saying to him? See how your cues translate to your puppy and vice versa…these include voice, body language, eye contact, touch and taste. Learn how you and your puppy can always understand each other.

Lessons for Puppy

Here are the basic puppy lessons and how to teach them in five-minute sessions using positive training techniques. Lessons include target and sit, come and sit, “round robin” training, heel and sit, down, stay and leash training, as well as how to deal with distractions.

What Is Normal?

Just like humans, puppies experience different developmental life stages. Learn what to expect from puppies at various ages; the socialization and ranking periods, spanning the ages of 3 through 16 weeks, are discussed in detail.

No Bad Pups!

Learn how to prevent behavior problems or change bad habits to good ones using redirection and consistency. Behavior issues discussed are jumping up, mouthing/biting/chewing, excessive barking and chasing cats.

The Well-Rounded Pup

Now that your puppy has his basic education, how does he behave in the world beyond your yard as a good canine citizen? Added tips are presented here, including distraction-proofing, working with a professional trainer for basic knowledge or to overcome problems, traveling safely with a well-mannered dog and more.

Busy puppies are happy puppies. On-leash strolls in the park are good exercise, as growing pups should not have strenuous activity that stresses their developing bodies.

Most dog owners believe that it takes many hours per day to train their puppies. They try to work with them for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, yet only receive 5 to 10 minutes of puppy attention span. With the puppy’s loss of interest, the puppy owner becomes frustrated.

Many trainers will not begin working with dogs until they reach four to six months of age, or even older. They believe that puppies cannot learn anything until this time. Even many veterinarians are under the impression that one cannot begin training a dog until the dog reaches adolescence or adulthood. They believe that a short attention span also means limited learning ability.

The fact is that dogs begin learning from the time of birth. They learn how to obtain their food, what smells and sounds signal that it’s time to feed and how to solicit the giving of food from their mother. Much is instinct, but there is more that is learned through trial and error.

Puppies should begin formal training on the first day that they go to their new homes. Responsible breeders start the training process from the time of weaning. The pups learn to come to their food dishes on a specific cue. Many pups learn to relieve themselves in a specific area, if provided. The pups are exposed to various stimuli to prevent fear behaviors. Even those pups that don’t have the benefit of being raised by a responsible breeder will learn behaviors from their mother, siblings and environment.

A new puppy owner should not give the pup time to acclimate to his new environment prior to beginning the pup’s training. This merely allows the pup to develop bad habits and then to receive punishment at a later time for those behaviors that were allowed previously. This isn’t fair to the pup. Why should he be punished for breaking rules that he was never really taught in the first place?

Most pups learn quickly to come to the food bowl and dive right in—literally!

The rules should be set from day one. Pups are quite able to learn basic commands at the tender age of two months. By three months of age, their brains are fully formed and very open to learning. In fact, their brains are soaking up the stimuli of their environments like sponges. At this age, they are desirous of remaining with their new pack members (their owners) and will rarely stray too far.

A challenge that every puppy owner faces is keeping the pup’s attention. A toy is a good way to bring the pup’s focus back to you.

These early behaviors can be tapped and enhanced to prevent future behavioral and training problems and to raise the pup in a positive manner. By using consistency from the beginning, using clear communication and working with the pup in five-minute increments throughout each day, the result is a canine companion that knows only proper behavior and learns quickly in any situation.

Puppy Training in 5 Minutes will teach you how to use canine communication skills to work with a very young puppy. You will then learn how to work within a pup’s short attention span and accomplish new behaviors with each five-minute training session. This book will address common puppy behavioral issues, overall puppy care, puppy training and how to prevent future behavioral problems. The training procedures are based purely on positive reinforcement through treats, toys, touch and praise. These methods encourage a pup to perform specific behaviors through play. The procedures in this book will help you to develop a great puppy who will give you years of pleasure and companionship.

Happy training!

A puppy is truly a new family member, almost like a new baby or a new sibling to the kids.

Getting a puppy is similar to bringing home a new baby. Granted, you don’t have to go through pregnancy or labor with a puppy, unless you’re the dog’s breeder, but you will have to change your life a bit and take the time to turn your puppy into a well-behaved member of the family. As you research what it means to become a puppy owner, you will notice that everyone has an opinion. What’s more, everyone has a different opinion. Even worse, everyone has a different and conflicting opinion. Who’s giving the advice you should follow? What will be the right thing to do?

There are many ways to raise a dog. Dogs are versatile, loyal and forgiving. They rarely hold grudges and are always willing to learn. The old adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” does not ring true for dogs, only for closed-minded people. The best advice: keep an open mind. Ask questions. Try things. Use whatever works best for you and your puppy.

There are many sensible ways that will help you raise this new four-legged child. The first is to be consistent. Always do things the same way. Dogs are creatures of habit. If you are consistent, your pup will learn faster and will listen no matter where you are or what is going on around you. The second is to follow the three P’s of training: patience, persistence and praise.

Exercising the three P’s will get you all the results you desire.

Puppies have an average attention span of approximately five minutes, some shorter, some longer. It is possible to increase a pup’s attention span, but you will be most successful if you work with your puppy for five minutes at a time, followed by a rest period. Doing this several times a day will achieve results. Your pup will love to work and will gradually increase his attention span, and you will quickly accomplish all of the goals you have in mind for your puppy.

You might ask, “How can my puppy learn what he needs in just five minutes?” Easily. Use the techniques outlined in this book and you will be successful. Be consistent. Be patient. Be persistent. And praise your puppy whenever he does something good, even if it’s a little thing.

One of the things that makes dogs one of the most popular pets in the world is their versatility. They can learn to exist in any environment and are ultimately social, intelligent creatures. If you take the time to work with your pup and guide him in the right direction, you will soon have a companion that fits you and your lifestyle.

Knowing as much as you can about where your pup comes from, such as his parentage (breed), early education (kennel where he was born and kept), medical records and nutrition will aid the pup’s transition into your life. Different breeds have different tendencies toward specific behavior patterns and physical needs. There are many exceptions to the rule, but one can make generalities. If you obtain your pup from a responsible breeder, you can usually be assured of a healthy pup that is typical of his breed and therefore should have certain behavioral characteristics that will help you anticipate his actions and prevent misunderstandings. Let’s examine some of the general characteristics of the different groups of dogs, using AKC classification as the basis.

The whole family must devote time to the pup, caring for him and being consistent in what he is taught.

Golden Retrievers are good representatives of the Sporting Group. These are active, outdoor-loving dogs that certainly aren’t afraid to get their paws wet.

GENERAL BEHAVIORS WITHIN BREED GROUPS

SPORTING GROUP

This group includes the pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels, as well as the Vizsla and Weimaraner, two all-purpose hunting breeds. Sporting dogs were originally bred to aid hunters. From flushing and fetching to pointing and chasing, sporting dogs are bred for specific hunting conditions and types of game. These breeds have lots of energy, are very loyal and are eager to please. They love people and activities. Most sporting dogs make great family pets because of their ease in training and love of doing things with their owners. They do not do well in homes with children under five years of age, for they are too active and may inadvertently knock small children over, but they can keep up with well-behaved older children for well into their senior years.

Sporting breeds are often very friendly and eager to be part of the family unit. They do not do well if cooped up in small areas for long periods of time or left alone without a chance to play with other dogs and people. They require lots of exercise and do not care about the weather conditions as much as some other breeds. Most, in fact, have been bred to retrieve from the water, so they don’t understand why they cannot go out to play on a rainy day. They are high-energy and very demanding of attention. You had better love outdoor activities if you own a sporting dog!

The smallest of the Hound Group is the Miniature Dachshund.

HOUND GROUP

Hounds were some of the first known hunting dogs developed. The Hound Group consists of the scenthound breeds (like the Bloodhound and Basset Hound), which locate and catch prey by scent, and the sighthound breeds (like the Greyhound and Irish Wolfhound), which locate and catch prey by sight. They have been specialized into trackers for locating prey and are rarely used for flushing, retrieving and pointing. Hounds will often follow a trail, regardless of any distraction, even that of their owners calling them to come. These breeds can be energetic, bold and stubborn, a combination often difficult to train. It is rare, however, to find an aggressive dog in this group. They all require consistent and patient training and must learn at an early age to always come when called, regardless of an interesting scent or sight, which poses quite a challenge. The sighthounds are especially known for their speed, and they can be off and running in a flash.

A popular working dog is the Siberian Husky. This Nordic sled dog is known for his endurance and helpfulness to man.

While your hound pup might be absolutely adorable when he jumps up and barks, this behavior will not be as cute when he is an adult dog. Starting him off right with proper training and behavior modification techniques as outlined in this book will ensure you of a pleasant companion. As a pup, your hound will have lots of energy, but he will mellow with age, turning into the dog that naps at your feet. Most hounds live well with children of all ages.

WORKING GROUP

These breeds were developed for a variety of tasks from guarding, herding and pulling to carrying loads and search-and-rescue. They can adapt to any temperatures and exhibit extreme intelligence and working abilities. Working-breed dogs can make great pets if fully integrated into their family packs. However, if left alone for long periods, chained up or constantly kenneled without any interaction, they can become dangerously aggressive. Some of these breeds were originally bred as fighting dogs, making them dangerous to have around children or small pets due to their high prey drive.

Playing tug-of-war with your working-breed puppy and hearing him growl as he pulls may be lots of fun, but you should refrain from these kinds of games until your pup has a better understanding of the family hierarchy and you are sure he knows his place in the pack. Inadvertently allowing your working-breed pup to “win” at this game can make him more assertive with family members as he grows. While some working-breed dogs do well with children if raised with them, you should only consider owning one of these breeds with children over the age of ten. Many of these dogs grow to be large, and a young child can easily be injured by a big, active dog, albeit accidentally.

The Parson Russell Terrier is an energetic small terrier, known for being smart, quick and packed with personality.

TERRIER GROUP

Bred for hunting small game such as rodents, rabbits and foxes, terriers are tenacious and high-energy, rebelling against authority and showing aggression more easily than any other breed group. When riled, they do not back down easily. However, they do learn quickly and, if given proper guidance, socialization and obedience training, make great pets.

Due to a terrier’s tenacious nature, it will be very important to involve your dog in as many social activities with other dogs and people as possible. Without this exposure, he can become aggressive toward strangers and other animals. Never praise your terrier for any type of growling and refrain from playing tug-of-war with him, for this increases his prey drive to dangerous levels. Games of fetch are the most productive. Also, you will need to practice removing things from your dog’s mouth and replacing them with alternative objects. A terrier can become possessive/aggressive if allowed to steal and keep an off-limits item, and he must be taught to let go when you try to take the object away.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the “bull-and-terrier” breeds, members of the Terrier Group.

The Chihuahua is a toy dog with a giant personality.

TOY GROUP

Most of the toy breeds were developed from the other major dog groups, their behaviors similar to the breeds from which they were derived. Toys acclimate easily to any living space and, due to their small size, do not require much space to receive proper exercise. Most of these breeds have house-training problems; however, this is due more to their being spoiled than to their own stubbornness, although that can be part of the problem. If not trained, toy breeds tend to bark excessively and are easily aggravated if they don’t get what they want.