PUPPY SERIES HAND OUT

SOME BASICS, HOW THEY THINK, WHAT THEY NEED, EQUIPMENT

Several million dogs are euthanized every year because of preventable behavior problems. Prevention is best! Don’t wait for several months before you seek help for a problem behavior. One of the goals of puppy training is to use preventative exercises and techniques to ensure that your dog does not feel the need to guard things such as food, people, places or toys. This is the time to make him feel safe and comfortable while he his being handled and staying home alone. Most importantly he must be taught to have a “soft mouth” or not to bite. 

Your are not establishing a relationship with your dog. You are establishing a bond with your dog. (remember he is not a person). Most behaviors that we want from our dogs are unnatural for them. Behaviors that we do not like or see as a problem behaviors are natural for the dog. Dogs do not know the difference between right and wrong, they do not have religion or morals. Dogs do not do things out of spite or jealousy. It is dangerous for you to impart human values to you dog. You will damage the human/animal bond, and create confusion and miscommunication between the two of you. This will lead to serious behavior problems possibly even aggression.

Dogs learn from experience. They will repeat what works for them. If they get attention for crying, they will repeat the crying. They will avoid behaviors that come with a negative experience. If the puppy bites you and you go away, the puppy will avoid biting.

It is easy to set up a “behavior chain” that you did not intend to. For example, the dog gets aggressive with company, so you distract him with a treat and have him lay next to you, and if he reacts to company you give him down command and a treat. If you are not practicing this exercise when company is not there, then you create a behavior chain. In the dogs mind it goes like this. I like treats and attention. If I growl & lunge at company, then I will be able to lay next to my owner and get attention and treats. Over treating and not practicing exercises in the absence of negative behaviors will create an unwanted behavior chain. Aggression =’s attention=treats.

I use only positive methods to train all dogs, and correct behavior problems. Just because dogs will not repeat a behavior that comes with a bad experience, does not mean that it is a good idea to use punishment. I will explain this during our visits. Most importantly you will damage the human/animal bond, and the puppy will learn to distrust people.

What you need…

Treats. I recommend low protein treats such as carrots, peas or green beans. I sell a variety of healthy treats in the store. (sales pitch: all of the treats I sell are made in the USA some are organic. Most are wheat, corn, soy free. If you need help choosing a treat feel free to ask for my suggestions)

Refer to the poison food list, and avoid things on that list.

A nylon collar. I recommend a martingale style collar for puppies, or a flat collar with a metal buckle. DO NOT GRAB AT THE COLLAR TO GET THE PUPPY TO STOP SOMETHING. YOU WILL MAKE HIM COLLAR AND HAND SHY.

A nylon leash 4-6 ft long with a metal clip.

A nylon long line 15 to 30 feet long. We will use this in training come and other things later.

Toys. Lots of toys. Different toys serve a different purpose in your puppies training and stress release. He should have toys for snuggling, toys for carrying, hard chew toys such as nylabones, rubbery chew toys,  and interactive toys for learning thinking skills and relieving boredom. He should also have one kill toy, a toy that he can shake and wrestle with. Your puppy should have around 15 toys. You always keep 5 put away and trade them occasionally. (never put away his favorite toy)

Of course he should have food and water bowls. Water should be available inside and out.

A toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

Grooming brushes and combs

A nail clipper that has double blades.

A local veterinarian, and emergency numbers incase your regular veterinarian is not available.

Puppy shampoo if you are going to eventually bathe the puppy yourself. I use puppy shampoo on my adult dogs because it is tear free and gentle. Be careful not to choose shampoo with smells that may attract bugs, such as fruit smells.

A car harness or carrier for in the car. If your dog is loose in your car, enters the drivers cabin and causes an accident you are liable. There are new regulations in effect with hefty fines for dogs who are able to enter the drivers area of the car. It is dangerous for you, your dog and your passengers for your dog to be loose in the car.

A copy of your dogs rabies certificate. Keep one in your car and one at home. In NY if your dog bites (even though some people may call a small bite a nip it is still a bite by definition) another person or dog a DEC officer has the right to shoot your dog and send his brain to Albany to confirm that your dog does not have rabies. Local officials such as police and dog officers have the right to take and confine your dog at your expense to confirm that your dog is not sick with rabies or other zoonotic diseases. If you cross the borders between NY and PA or any other state you must have a copy of the rabies certificate or your dog can be confiscated.