Puppy Class #1 How to Raise a Confident Puppy

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Raise a Confident Puppy!

How to raise a confident puppy

Puppy Class # 1


Mia Montagliani YourDogNeedsYou.comPuppy training tips and tools


Why are puppy classes so important?Because puppies make lasting judgments about the world around them.


By 16 weeks, puppies have decided what is good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, scary and safe.


Common but avoidable dog problems:• excessive barking• destruction• aggression & dominance• shyness or attention seeking• lead pulling


• disobedience & not coming when called• biting/nipping• toileting inside the house• digging• noise phobias• fear of fireworks and thunder


Most of these problems are the result of the failure of the owner to establish clear, fair and easy to understand ground rules from the start.


You can mould your puppy’s behavior easily when it is still young.You have the power to give your puppy the best start to life. So, now is the time to provide a positive learning environment.


You can raise a great puppy! One that is obedient, healthy and secure. I will now share easy, actionable strategies you can start using today to ensure your puppy grows up confident, secure and happy.


Confident dogs share the following characteristics:• They are not alarmed by different or new noises• They behave calmly around other dogs• They are generally friendly toward people• They follow ground rules that are enforced

consistently


The strategies I am about to share will help you develop the confidence that comes with knowing you are doing the right thing by your puppy.


Confident handling is surprisingly simple. Here are some ways you can handle your dog in a positive way.


Tip #1 Never shout at, or hit, your puppy.


Little smacks on the nose can cause your puppy to become fearful. This can lead to problems like biting or aggression.


Tip #2Handle your puppy often; touch your puppy’s paws, ears, tail and muzzle on a

daily basis.


If you desensitize your puppy’s paws to your touch, your puppy will more likely allow you to clip its nails or examine its paws (in case of injury or a splinter).


Tip #3Handle your puppy on a table so it becomes

familiar with heights.


Tip #4Handle your puppy and its food when

your puppy is eating.


Raising a confident puppy means it must become familiar with everyday sounds. Fear of noises is a result of the dog not being given an opportunity to get familiar with these sounds when it was still a puppy.


Tip #5Have your dog listen to as many sounds

as possible.


Tip #6

Take your puppy out to busy places, noisy indoor and outdoor areas such as café’s, city areas or

freeways. If you can, expose your puppy to fireworks displays

and actual thunderstorms.


Thunder doesn’t happen on command!You can buy a ‘thunder maker’ cheaply from ebay. Small instrument that makes thunder noises – quick and easy to use.


Free MP3 with the following sounds:• Lawnmower & leaf blower• Babies and children• Phones• Traffic - cars, trams, dirt bikes & trucks • Thunderstorms & fireworks• Music• Gun shots and artillery• Door bells, vacuum cleaner & hair dryer• Aeroplanes


Tip #7Socialize your puppy with other

friendly puppies.


Your job is to protect, but not mollycoddle, your puppy. If your puppy is in danger, gently and calmly remove your puppy, and reintroduce it when the other puppies are calmer.


WARNING: If your puppy has not yet received its full course of vaccinations, then avoid other adult dogs and other places frequented by adult dogs, such as dog parks.


In my next free virtual puppy class (How to raise a healthy puppy), I’ll talk about the correct vaccination schedule for your puppy, and which diseases your puppy should be protected against.


Tip #8Encourage your puppy to be friendly and

calm when greeting your friends and family.


To ensure your puppy learns to be friendly towards people, let it be handled by all sorts of people frequently.


Visitors to your home should only handle your puppy with your permission and when the puppy is calm.


The correct way to greet a puppy:Offer an open palm under their dog’s mouth. Then gently pat the puppy under its chin and chest area.Do not put your face close to the dog’s face – this might be seen as a threat.


Tip #9

Ignore your puppy for 10 minutes whenever you come home. Your puppy will be more secure if you consistently

apply this technique.


This tip is one of the best ways to ensure your dog does not develop separation anxiety. Ignoring your dog after you arrive home means your dog is less likely to fret in your absence.


Puppies thrive on routine and consistency – it gives them security. If you are inconsistent with your house rules, you are teaching your puppy that your rules are negotiable.


Tip #10Do not have your puppy sleep on your bed,

unless you are okay with it sleeping there when fully grown.


If you allow your puppy to sleep on your bed, then later try and change its sleeping area, you’ll have a war on your hands! Your puppy will whimper, bark and whine and scratch your door to get back its beloved spot on your bed! You’ll lose sleep and your temper - so save yourself the hassle!


Tip #11Take your puppy to its toileting area often and

give your puppy an opportunity to potty in that spot.


Tip #12Never punish your puppy for accidents inside

the house.


Tip #13Make certain furniture off-limits from the start. Later, you can teach your dog to jump on or off

your furniture on command.


A puppy that receives conflicting messages from its owner about what is acceptable is likely to behave erratically. A secure puppy is one that knows early on what it can and cannot do and will be a calmer companion.


Tip #14Do not allow your puppy to bite or chew

your hands because this will become annoying later. Simply redirect the chewing to hardy toys like small

Kongs or Nylabones.


Tip #15Never feed your puppy scraps as you

are sitting at the dinner table. This will encourage begging behavior.


If you’ve realised your puppy has gotten away with ignoring some of your rules so far – take heart – you can start your new rules today. Your new-found persistence will pay off with a lifetime of good behavior!


Summary:• Up until 16 weeks old, your puppy will learn much from its environment so provide positive learning at this critical stage of life.• Gently handle your puppy often – especially its paws, ears, muzzle and tail.


• Handle your puppy on a table so it is not afraid of heights or the vet’s examination table.• Gently handle your dog and its food whilst its eating (to prevent food guarding).


• Use your hands to gently manipulate your dog into standing and lying positions to show control & leadership (ignore whimpers).• Never ever hit, yell or get angry at your puppy (this could create insecurity, timidity, defiance or a complete shut down to learning).• Expose your puppy to different people.


• Encourage calm and kind interaction between your puppy and people (including children).• You and visitors should ignore your puppy until it is calm.• When arriving home, wait 10 minutes before greeting your puppy (this helps avoid separation anxiety).


• Expose your puppy to different sounds such as my bonus MP3, outdoor events and activities.• Make sure the exposure is gradual by slowing increasing volumes or decreasing the distance between the puppy and noise.• Make all experiences pleasant with praise and treats.


• Allow your puppy to play with other puppies regularly (under supervision).• Allow boisterous play, but gently remove puppy if the play gets too rough.• Do not expose your puppy to adult dogs or areas where dogs go until it is fully vaccinated.


• The correct way to pat a dog is with an open palm under the dog’s chin, gently patting the chest area.• Redirect your puppy’s chewing of your fingers to hardy toys (like Kongs).• Decide on your ground rules early and stick to them.


• Introduce your dog’s permanent bed as soon as possible.• Choose a potty area and encourage your puppy to use that area.• Do not punish your puppy for potty accidents – they will happen!• Never feed your puppy scraps from the dinner table – this will encourage begging.



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Puppy Class #1 How to Raise a Confident Puppy

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Transcript of Puppy Class #1 How to Raise a Confident Puppy