“All training is negotiation, whether you're training dogs or spouses.”
– Ian Dunbar
So, you've got a new puppy, and it was love at first sight. The little wiggly, soft, cuddly bundle of joy is yours. And then, you bring him home. Holy cow, did he have this much energy at the adoption center? And how did no one tell you that he chews everything? And pees everywhere? And tries to eat from your plate? And barks every time the doorbell rings or he sees a bird, or a squirrel, or a.......? And how long will it take for him to learn to sit, stay, lay down, and to realize your Micheal Kors shoes aren't chew toys? Cause that's an expensive mix-up, right there. Training your puppy will make your life easier (and let's face it, cheaper) and your pup's life safer.
I am not a trainer of any sort, particularly of the gym variety; I'd rather walk a dog than lift a weight any day. However, I do know that dogs can and should use their manners. We all know some dogs are better at it than some of their human counterparts! Most research will tell you to use treats as rewards for learning commands. What do I say to that? ABSOLUTELY! People, I can easily be bribed with a cookie, and why should we expect a dog to be any different? It's not as if you can write him a commendation. If you ask him to “sit”, and he sits, then give that dog a bone! Or, at minimum, a “good dog” and some love. We all need positive reinforcement, right?
When my kids were born, I started teaching them the word “no” pretty early on. Ask me later how that's going. But seriously. Start early with puppies, when they are 2-3 months old. If you want to be fancy and impress your friends, you can tell them that you are using Skinner's “negative” reinforcement technique as part of your dog's training. Ever heard that saying, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks?”. It's not one of those old wives tales. It's true. Say you let your dog get on the couch because it's old, has a pizza stain on it, and what do you care, right? Then, you get a better job, a nicer couch, and BAM!-- you're done having your dog on the couch. Try to change that rule, and you'll have suspicious fur and drool marks on your brand new couch every time you return home from an outing. Dogs don't know that they aren't fooling you! And how confusing is a change in rules for your pooch. It's just not fair.
So, negative reinforcement goes like this: Puppy does the bad thing, and gets a “no”, along with losing whatever positive thing he had going. You are petting him and he jumps on you, and you immediately remove your hands and say, “no” and “off”. Positive reinforcement for sitting, laying down, staying, and negative for jumping. Or biting. Or chewing shoes (replace that shoe with a chew toy). And, REPEAT. A LOT. Until he gets it. And he will.
I think the most important aspect of the training is consistency. I know, his cute face is so hard to resist! The puppy force is strong. He will try to pull you in with those cute, guileless expressions and sweet, sad eyes. Just one time, it's okay if he jumps all over me....awww....he loves me. Snap out of it! It's a “no” every time. And guess what? A cute puppy is even CUTER when he minds his manners.
You know that expression, “I can't take you anywhere?”. Well, wouldn't it be great if that didn't apply to your family pet? Teaching your pup commands and manners as well as socializing him to kids and other dogs will make taking him places a breeze. But, most importantly, a trained puppy is a safe puppy.
Oh, and don't forget to enroll your puppy in one of our super fun play groups. We'll help reinforce his training, and all that excess energy will be depleted after an hour and a half of hard play at the dog park. Now go enjoy that puppy, because you are one lucky human!
– Ian Dunbar
So, you've got a new puppy, and it was love at first sight. The little wiggly, soft, cuddly bundle of joy is yours. And then, you bring him home. Holy cow, did he have this much energy at the adoption center? And how did no one tell you that he chews everything? And pees everywhere? And tries to eat from your plate? And barks every time the doorbell rings or he sees a bird, or a squirrel, or a.......? And how long will it take for him to learn to sit, stay, lay down, and to realize your Micheal Kors shoes aren't chew toys? Cause that's an expensive mix-up, right there. Training your puppy will make your life easier (and let's face it, cheaper) and your pup's life safer.
I am not a trainer of any sort, particularly of the gym variety; I'd rather walk a dog than lift a weight any day. However, I do know that dogs can and should use their manners. We all know some dogs are better at it than some of their human counterparts! Most research will tell you to use treats as rewards for learning commands. What do I say to that? ABSOLUTELY! People, I can easily be bribed with a cookie, and why should we expect a dog to be any different? It's not as if you can write him a commendation. If you ask him to “sit”, and he sits, then give that dog a bone! Or, at minimum, a “good dog” and some love. We all need positive reinforcement, right?
When my kids were born, I started teaching them the word “no” pretty early on. Ask me later how that's going. But seriously. Start early with puppies, when they are 2-3 months old. If you want to be fancy and impress your friends, you can tell them that you are using Skinner's “negative” reinforcement technique as part of your dog's training. Ever heard that saying, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks?”. It's not one of those old wives tales. It's true. Say you let your dog get on the couch because it's old, has a pizza stain on it, and what do you care, right? Then, you get a better job, a nicer couch, and BAM!-- you're done having your dog on the couch. Try to change that rule, and you'll have suspicious fur and drool marks on your brand new couch every time you return home from an outing. Dogs don't know that they aren't fooling you! And how confusing is a change in rules for your pooch. It's just not fair.
So, negative reinforcement goes like this: Puppy does the bad thing, and gets a “no”, along with losing whatever positive thing he had going. You are petting him and he jumps on you, and you immediately remove your hands and say, “no” and “off”. Positive reinforcement for sitting, laying down, staying, and negative for jumping. Or biting. Or chewing shoes (replace that shoe with a chew toy). And, REPEAT. A LOT. Until he gets it. And he will.
I think the most important aspect of the training is consistency. I know, his cute face is so hard to resist! The puppy force is strong. He will try to pull you in with those cute, guileless expressions and sweet, sad eyes. Just one time, it's okay if he jumps all over me....awww....he loves me. Snap out of it! It's a “no” every time. And guess what? A cute puppy is even CUTER when he minds his manners.
You know that expression, “I can't take you anywhere?”. Well, wouldn't it be great if that didn't apply to your family pet? Teaching your pup commands and manners as well as socializing him to kids and other dogs will make taking him places a breeze. But, most importantly, a trained puppy is a safe puppy.
Oh, and don't forget to enroll your puppy in one of our super fun play groups. We'll help reinforce his training, and all that excess energy will be depleted after an hour and a half of hard play at the dog park. Now go enjoy that puppy, because you are one lucky human!
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