Skills to Train Your Puppy

Teaching your puppy to sit. Coming when called. Walking on a leash so it's pleasant for both of you. Learning to stay home alone. These are some of the important skills to teach your new puppy!

Remember puppies have short attention spans, and you want to be successful.

Teaching a Puppy to Sit

With the puppy facing you, move a food treat close to his nose,

 then slowly over his head, keeping it close to the top between his ears to prevent jumping up.

He will raise his head and plop his bottom onto the floor, in a sitting position.

Avoid pushing the puppy's rear to the floor, forcing him to sit.

Research shows better results when the puppy sits voluntarily.

Keep the first few sits very short. Slowly, extend the time the puppy is in a sitting position.

Coming When Called

Puppies under four months old can learn the perfect "recall".

Call her to come, using the same word every time.

When she arrives, give her/him a small treat like a cheerios or a verbal praise and pet her/him.

Then release her to go back to playing.

 NEVER call her to come if you are planning to end whatever fun activity she is engaged in.

 You want her/him to always have a positive end.

Leash Training a Puppy

To leash train, first let him/her get used to wearing a collar

 such as the Breeder's Edge Perfect Fit Training Collar. 

 A training collar is different from a normal collar due to sewn-in elastic

that stretches if he gets caught on something,

allowing him to easily slip out of the collar if needed.

Once he/she tolerates the collar, use a leash such as

Breeder's Edge ID Me Take Me Home Collars and Leashes and let him acclimate to that.

Then start walking, using a long-handled plastic or wooden spoon

covered with peanut butter or soft cheese.

Hold the leash in your left hand, the spoon in your right hand at your left knee and begin,

using the food-coated spoon as a tool to help your puppy ignore the leash.

He/She will follow the spoon and eventually end up walking politely at your side.

Learning To Be Alone

Stuffed Kongs and other hollow toys, and muffin tins filled with frozen goodies

 are a great way to keep your puppy busy when you are gone or unavailable.  

Stuff the toy or metal muffin tin( no silicone please) with plain yogurt,

 soft cheese, peanut butter, or soft treat, mixed with your puppy's kibble.

To help your puppy look forward to your absence,

 lock a frozen treat in the crate before you leave for the day.

She/he will anticipate a great time in her create

, instead of giving you sad puppy dog eyes.