Once the program of vaccination is completed, the puppy is ready for the outside world. Before that he can be accustomed to a light collar and lead in the garden and learn to walk to heel without pulling or lagging behind. In the beginning the training exercises should be of short duration, partly because the young puppy is unable to concentrate for any length of time, and partly because his bones are not yet fully formed, and the muscles still need toning up. For most pups a 1s-zo minute walk is an adventure, perhaps even a frightening experience, with traffic thundering by and humans towering above a small, immature puppy.
The lead represents authority; it should be attached securely to the collar and held in such a manner that it comes under the dog's chin; if it loops over the head it will push the nose downwards and frighten the pup. Check or choke chains are not recommended for basic training exercises; the pull of the chain can easily frighten the puppy, and nasty accidents are known to occur from a loose chain caught on an obstruction and strangling the panicky animal.
The first walks should be short and pleasurable; it is less important that the puppy walks perfectly at heel than he learns to accept traffic and crowds and comes to associate a walk with a treat. When he is accustomed to collar and lead for the walk, he can be let off the lead in a safe open space, far away from busy roads where traffic bustle will not distract his attention and where the owner will not have to worry if the puppy decides to be willful and refuse to return.
The true turning point of all obedience training is the puppy's response to the command 'Come'. Until he comes when called no progress can be made with the other basic steps of'Sit', 'Stay', and 'Wait'. The average puppy resents being kept under control; the moment he is let off the lead he feels free and does not easily surrender that freedom. The best place to commence 'recall' training is in the garden, or in a small fenced area. Avoid places where there is a chance of the puppy escaping on to a road; the owner will panic, raise his voice, and make a mistake through a hasty move. The puppy, which senses that the handler has lost his confidence, will take off in fright, and training is automatically set back.
Let the puppy off the lead; do not call him back immediately, but let him run off the first exuberance of freedom. When he slows down and his attention is not distracted, call him by name in a pleasant but firm voice, and follow the name with the single command 'Come'. Determine from the start the command words to be used for particular actions and stick to them; 'Come' one moment and 'Here' the next only serves to confuse the puppy. Most pups will respond by taking a step or two towards the voice which is when a praising 'Good boy'is in its place to let the puppy know that he has done the right thing so far. At the same time, step away from him, patting one leg to show him where to come, and exaggerate praise for correct and prompt interpretation by the puppy. If, on the other hand, the speed of recall is slow or if the puppy comes half-way and then darts off again, ignore him and walk off, out of sight if possible. The pup will follow out of curiosity, and if that ruse fails, bend down and pretend to find something interesting on the ground. When the puppy eventually arrives do not make the mistake of grabbing him at the collar and securing him with the lead, even if it has taken half an hour to get him within range. Pat him on the head, tell him how well he has behaved, and let him go off again. If every time he returns he is put on the lead, he will soon see the drawbacks to such a deal, and the next day's exercise will take twice as long.
That first step may take a long time and require a great deal of patience, but once the battle is won, and the puppy is confident that it is worth responding, Because of praise or a tidbit, other basic exercises are that much easier. Repeat the recall command until he obeys unerringly, before trying it out in an open space. Never scold or punish the puppy if he fails to respond at once, and never let the exercise become so protracted that he becomes bored. Always finish a training period with a game so that he looks forward to the next session.
The lead represents authority; it should be attached securely to the collar and held in such a manner that it comes under the dog's chin; if it loops over the head it will push the nose downwards and frighten the pup. Check or choke chains are not recommended for basic training exercises; the pull of the chain can easily frighten the puppy, and nasty accidents are known to occur from a loose chain caught on an obstruction and strangling the panicky animal.
The first walks should be short and pleasurable; it is less important that the puppy walks perfectly at heel than he learns to accept traffic and crowds and comes to associate a walk with a treat. When he is accustomed to collar and lead for the walk, he can be let off the lead in a safe open space, far away from busy roads where traffic bustle will not distract his attention and where the owner will not have to worry if the puppy decides to be willful and refuse to return.
The true turning point of all obedience training is the puppy's response to the command 'Come'. Until he comes when called no progress can be made with the other basic steps of'Sit', 'Stay', and 'Wait'. The average puppy resents being kept under control; the moment he is let off the lead he feels free and does not easily surrender that freedom. The best place to commence 'recall' training is in the garden, or in a small fenced area. Avoid places where there is a chance of the puppy escaping on to a road; the owner will panic, raise his voice, and make a mistake through a hasty move. The puppy, which senses that the handler has lost his confidence, will take off in fright, and training is automatically set back.
Let the puppy off the lead; do not call him back immediately, but let him run off the first exuberance of freedom. When he slows down and his attention is not distracted, call him by name in a pleasant but firm voice, and follow the name with the single command 'Come'. Determine from the start the command words to be used for particular actions and stick to them; 'Come' one moment and 'Here' the next only serves to confuse the puppy. Most pups will respond by taking a step or two towards the voice which is when a praising 'Good boy'is in its place to let the puppy know that he has done the right thing so far. At the same time, step away from him, patting one leg to show him where to come, and exaggerate praise for correct and prompt interpretation by the puppy. If, on the other hand, the speed of recall is slow or if the puppy comes half-way and then darts off again, ignore him and walk off, out of sight if possible. The pup will follow out of curiosity, and if that ruse fails, bend down and pretend to find something interesting on the ground. When the puppy eventually arrives do not make the mistake of grabbing him at the collar and securing him with the lead, even if it has taken half an hour to get him within range. Pat him on the head, tell him how well he has behaved, and let him go off again. If every time he returns he is put on the lead, he will soon see the drawbacks to such a deal, and the next day's exercise will take twice as long.
That first step may take a long time and require a great deal of patience, but once the battle is won, and the puppy is confident that it is worth responding, Because of praise or a tidbit, other basic exercises are that much easier. Repeat the recall command until he obeys unerringly, before trying it out in an open space. Never scold or punish the puppy if he fails to respond at once, and never let the exercise become so protracted that he becomes bored. Always finish a training period with a game so that he looks forward to the next session.