So you’re getting a new puppy?
Another random chapter from the new book created by longtime trainer Donna Chandler, and this one talks about the dos and donts of puppy parenting within those first few weeks and months of bringing that puppy home.
Donna Chandler, nationally renowned Canine Trainer and Behavior Specialist, reveals her secrets right into your home for the most complete and convenient dog obedience course you will ever need. If you recall in a past issue, we talked with her about how her Good Dog! ONE-der Class® can be your #1 go-to resource to help you and your puppy or new dog acquire a happy and enjoyable relationship that will last a lifetime!
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Written by: Donna Chandler
Life is too short to not enjoy each other’s company—and way too hectic to commit to 6 or more weeks of on-site training classes. In the past, Donna has brought her groundbreaking course to anyone interested on any web-connected device, but now, she in the middle of creating a new book that compliments the complete class!
Indoor Leash
Indoor leashes are a great training tool, but must be used correctly to be effective.
Using the indoor leash enables your dog to spend more time with you and your family outside of his crate. Keep the leash on your dog when he’s lying on his rug by your chair while you read or watch TV. When cooking dinner, you can attach the leash to your belt so he can be in the kitchen with you. By using the indoor leash this way, you’ll know where your dog is at all times, and he won’t be chewing up your “toys,” such as antique chairs or brand-new shoes.
#1 mistake owners made is taking the indoor leash off before habitual time frame ends. If your children want to have the dog nearby while they watch TV, or just want to play with him, make sure they also keep his leash on.
When the four- to six-month training period is over and you have removed the leash, if your dog starts forgetting his commands, put his indoor leash back on for two to three days for a refresher course – it’s that easy.
The indoor leash is a valuable tool when introducing any dog to a new home, and you’ll want to use short refresher courses with it if you move or take your dog with you when you travel. If you take your dog visiting, keep him on his indoor leash while in your friend’s home – that way, he can’t get into mischief and you’ll both be invited back. You’ll soon discover that the Training Pages indoor leash, along with the crate, will become one of your best training tools! You’ll never have anything chewed up, and you’ll always know where your dog is.
Treats/Food
Motivation Dogs are highly food-motivated but don’t take treats when stressed.
Boiled chicken makes an excellent highvalue treat. Boiled turkey and ground beef are also good. Make sure you rinse after boiling to remove all of the fat (which can cause diarrhea).
Cheerios make a great daily dog treat. Dogs don’t absorb them, so they won’t cause weight gain and they don’t interfere with the dog’s diet. You can mix Cheerios with a high-value treat, which will allow your dog to have a high-value treat every third or fourth time. Treats should be the size of one Cheerio.
Keep small bags of treats all around your home so they’re easy to grab –you only have two seconds to give your dog a treat for them to make the connection between the command, the behavior, and the reward. In other words, you can make the dog hold the command longer, but once the command is over, you only have two seconds to give the treat.
Dogs learn 10x quicker with tiny treats
When you take your dog out of your home, bring enough treats to last through the walk or trip. Hold the treat up to your face before giving it to your dog. This action subliminally teaches your dog to look at you every time you give a command or say his name. Eventually, your dog will look at you every time you give a command or say his name.
Aggressive Games
I frequently get calls from dog owners complaining that their puppy or dog is becoming possessive with his toys or snaps at his family. Ninety percent of the time these behaviors are the direct result of playing tug-of-war, which is a common but huge mistake dog owners make.
Tug-of-war is merely a game to humans… but to canines, it’s a power play. Tug-of-war is used to teach police and military canines to bite. There are specific rules to incorporate with dogs in playing tug-of-war, but most families either don’t remember them or disregard them. Therefore, I recommend that you never play tugof-war with your dog. A game for the human, a power play for the dog
Bite Inhibition
Most puppies do not have bite inhibition because we take them from their mothers and siblings at such an early age. If you have ever seen a litter of puppies playing and one puppy bites another, the bitten puppy yelps and runs away – play is over.
Teaching your puppy bite inhibition is done in much the same way. When your puppy chomps down on you, in a loud voice yell, “Ouch!” Puppies must be taught bite inhibition, it’s not genetic Then put the puppy in his crate for a tenminute time-out – play is over, and he loses the company of his human.
After the time-out, let your puppy out of his crate and resume play. If he bites again, repeat the loud “ouch” and plunk him back in the crate for ten minutes – game over. This method usually works after three or four times; after all, the last thing your puppy wants is to lose his time with his human. Keep in mind that the crate time itself is not the punishment – losing his human’s company is the punishment.
Donna Chandler, Author, Canine Trainer, Behavior Specialist, Service Dogs (PTSD, Diabetic, Seizure & School Dogs)
CEs AAVSB/R.A.C.E.
Office: 317-769-4649
Cell: 317-403-1125
Training with stimulation has become much more accepted today than it was in prior times. There are still holdouts that say “No way am I going to shock my dog. I love him and do not want to hurt him.”
However, a much larger percentage of dog owners and trainers recognize the huge advantage of incorporating the use of a low-level stimulation e-collar into their training program, IF THE E-COLLAR IS USED CORRECTLY!
When it comes to dog training, the well-worn phrase “Timing is everything” is especially true. If two dogs were DNA clones, had identical environmental exposures, and were trained by two separate owners who taught with the same training program, one of the dogs would most likely be better than the other. The reason would be based on th
Nationally recognized as one of today’s top professionals, George Hickox has owned and campaigned numerous field champions and Dog
of the Year.
