Welcome To Positive Dog Parenting™

Just as a human traveler might unintentionally offend or confuse a person from a different culture, it is possible to actually CAUSE problems in our pets when simply doing what seems most natural to us as individual pet owners.  What we need to remember is this; as much as pets are like us, we do have species-specific behaviors.

Here's the good news! Given new information, we can modify our behavior, which changes the perception of the pet, which increases the pet's learning and our potential for love, joy, and satisfaction in the relationship! 

If you have a new puppy, you essentially have "wet clay" to mold in your efforts to raise your ideal adult dog. Pups are in their critical socialization and optimal learning period from ages 1 to 4 months old. Older pups are more like working with dry clay and adult dogs more like chiseling marble. Can marble be chiseled? How would Michelangelo answer that question? 

Most Important Rules with a New Puppy

• Prevent bad habits.  Provide constant supervision indoors until ALL house rules are learned. Keep the puppy in a kennel when you can't supervise.  Try keeping the pup with you on leash indoors.

• No spanking or any kind. If the pup is "caught in the act" interrupt, consider a 3 minute "time out" then forgive.

• Establish consistent "house rules" by praising behaviors you DO want and ignoring or redirecting behaviors you do NOT want.

• Exercise your pup daily, introducing new people and animals by YOU acting friendly and approaching them first. It is never too late to teach a dog a new set of rules. 

Learn to Earn  
The best way to establish your leadership and role as teacher with your puppy is to start right away with the "learn to earn" principle. Your pup will learn from you when he or she realizes that YOU control ALL the valuable resources and that nothing is for free! This is simple to do but does require being consistent. Before you give the pup ANY privilege such as a meal, walk, toy, passage through a door (in or out), petting, brushing, prolonged eye contact, or praise, SIMPLY ask the pup to do something FIRST such as "sit", THEN give the pup something valuable. 

Food Rewards       
NEVER hit or punish a puppy. Be the provider of everything good and nothing bad.  If you see the pup doing something wrong, ask yourself, what would be right?  Make it in the pup's best interest to do what is right by giving lavish praise and treats. Use words to give corrections such as "off" to get off a couch or you! Use the word, "quiet" to teach the dog to stop excessive or inappropriate barking. As the pup gets older and wiser, you can begin to phase food treats out.  NEVER phase out praise or using privileges as rewards for good behavior. Would you work if you were never paid?  

Housetraining
Supervise the puppy at all times. If the pup begins to eliminate in the home, swiftly pick the pup up and carry him out to the right area, then praise. The best way to teach your pup not to eliminate in the home is through supervision and contented confinement. Contented confinement includes positive kennel training and close tethering. When done correctly, elimination training takes one to two weeks. Remember input equals output.  Feed and water your pup twice daily during elimination training. Take your pup to the designated toilet area and give a cue such as "get busy". Praise softly as the pup eliminates. Upon completion, make a big fuss over the pup's success and give a food treat.
                                                        
Teaching the Pup to Come to You
One of the most common reasons for pups or dogs to stop coming when called is due to punishment by the owner. This punishment generally occurs when the pup does not come quickly enough. People also punish the dog accidentally after saying, "come" by doing something perceived by the dog as unpleasant.  ALWAYS make coming to you a positive and bonding experience between you and the dog. 

To teach the word, "come", begin with a hungry pup. Put a piece of dog kibble in front of the pup's nose, say the pup's name and the word, "come" in a happy voice. Then move backwards, keeping the food in front of the pup's nose. The pup has a natural chase instinct and will follow. Praise following you and then give the food as a reward. When the pup learns the word, "come", call the pup from different parts of the house or yard. Buddy up with another family member and call the pup back and forth between you, giving a treat each time. Practice "come" before every meal.  

Early Socialization
The earlier you start puppy socialization the better. Early socialization helps you raise a puppy and future adult dog that is friendly and flexible rather than fearful or aggressive to other animals and people of all ages.  

The Earlier the Better...

• Enroll your pup in an off leash puppy socialization class.

• Host a puppy party.

• Provide your pup with 1 - 3 days of weekly puppy daycare. 

• Use the ABN Socialization Checklist to give your pup early, positive experiences that will last a lifetime. You don't get a second chance to make a first good impression! 

Household Manners
Use words to give corrections to teach the pup to get off a couch or you! Use the word, "quiet" to teach the dog to stop excessive or inappropriate barking. If the pup begins to eliminate in the home, swiftly pick the pup up and carry him out to the right area, then praise. As the pup gets older and wiser, you can begin to phase food out. NEVER phase out praise or using privileges as rewards for good behavior. Would you work if you were never paid?  

House Rules
Teach your puppy the rules you want for the adult dog. Do not let the pup up on furniture or allow jumping up on you NOW if you do not want this behavior LATER. Teach the puppy gentle mouthing NOW to prevent hard bites LATER. Teach the puppy to chew on the right things and to play nice NOW with praise and attention. IGNORE or give time outs for misbehavior. 

Identification
Start your pup with a nylon collar with an identification tag attached. Put your last name and two or three phone numbers on the tag. You don't want to put the pup's name or your address on the tag to prevent someone bonding to your pet or burglarizing your home. The best time to ID chip or tattoo your pup is while your pup is under anesthesia for a spay or neuter at 4 to 6 months of age. For older, unruly pups, use a head halter instead of a collar for natural, effective control.