Training my new puppy!

Jeanne Perciaccanto

Ultimate Dog Training

What are the first steps you must take in training your new puppy?  

The top of the list usually include: house training, sit; no biting and walking on a leash.  These are clearly functional aspects of daily life for any well behaved dog to learn and starting with a new puppy helps to set up easier transitions through stages of development through out the first year.

Most Dog Training schools will focus their programs on these particular behaviors and include more of the "how to" commands for down, stay, come and social skills of playing well with others.

While these commands and behavior skills are pertinent to building common language between you and your dog; also giving your dog the boundaries and expectations you have and how they can meet your established goals.

All to often, what is not taught and can only be taught to young pups are the preparations they need for practical and emergency circumstances in life.  These are situations which can and do produce stress.  Stress can be learned as acceptable or left unlearned to become fearful.

Stress has become the big "NO NO!" in dog training, yet dogs are left ill prepared for dealing with stresses that do and will occur in life.

Seemingly simple things such as Vet visits, nail cutting and basic grooming can create such difficult emotional stress. 

A visit to the Vet produces such apprehension and anxiety before ever leaving the house knowing full well what will happen when you arrive.  Some dogs will need to be muzzled or sedated with use of heavy drugs just have these basic needs met.  

Groomer will refuse to take dogs that are stress biters, throw crazed hissy fits on the table or become so stressed in the crates, they become disruptive to the enter staff and are not invited back.

Cutting the dogs nails is such a battle that owners wait until the next Vet visit as a way to avoid the impending struggle.

A dog in a medical emergency will look to get away, that is nature leading a dog into flight or fight.  The fear/pain will drive them into panic.  Teaching them how to settle when stressed can and will keep your dog less likely to further injure themselves and make it possible for you to handle them safely.

There are other types of stress we cannot foresee such as natural or home disasters which no one wants to think about but do happen.  We are taught to have emergency preparedness drills for our family or an escape route for hurricanes but have you prepared for how your dog will deal with all the stress produced as a result of evacuation?  Evacuation centers that allow pets only do so with pets crated.  If you dog has not learned to be calm, relaxed and settled in a crate may get you removed from the center.

If your puppy struggles in your arms at ten weeks and 10 pounds, imagine what that puppy as a full grown adult with size, strength and capabilities that involve using teeth will produce!

Not teaching your pup to learn how to self placate and relax while being handled in a state of stress is not only unfair for future expectations, but lacks in sound training principles leaving them ill prepared for life's stresses.

There is a step by step process in teaching dogs how to settle and should be taught by someone experienced in this practice.

Your puppy training program should and must include safe and gentle handling instructions to make life's stresses easier for your dog to understand and calmly handle life as adults.

  For more information on training your puppy visit http://www.ultimatedogtrainingnj.com