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Whose Fault is it When Your Dog Disobeys?

By Beth Frumkin

Whose Fault is it When Your Dog Disobeys?

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Your dog disobeys. You get angry. You discipline the dog. The dog sulks for a bit, learns nothing, and goes back to disobeying again. This pattern of behavior is repeated time and time again. You want to train your dog how to behave but you really feel stuck in a cycle.
How do you get out of the cycle of your dog disobeying and not listening? First of all, we need to consider the fact that it’s not helpful to get angry or irritated. In fact, instead of being angry with the dog, maybe we should be angry with ourselves. Since we are the ones responsible for training our dogs, we might be the ones at fault. Our training and treatment of our dogs is what causes them to behave certain ways. And since dogs only understand black and white or yes and no, if we send mixed messages to our dogs then we can expect that they won’t be able to understand or obey.
Here are some examples of confusing situations owners respond to poorly that can cause dogs to disobey or act up:

Destructive Behavior

Owners get very angry when their property is destroyed. Maybe your dog has torn up your sofa or chewed up your favorite pair of Italian leather shoes. You’re likely to be pretty upset. But really, how did the dog get the opportunity to destroy your things? Was he left with “freedoms” that he hasn’t been taught to handle? We he left unsupervised at too young an age? Did he have unmet needs, such as staying home alone for too long, so he acted out?
Many dogs, especially young ones, are unable to cope without boundaries. They need time, attention, and walks to burn off energy. Although getting angry with the dog might be easier, owners should really consider if their anger is targeted in the right place. Especially if we assume the dog knows how to behave—but we haven’t taught him.

Running Off

This behavior is extremely frustrating for dog owners who spend much of their time chasing their dogs through the neighborhood. It’s not only tiring, it may be embarrassing as well! consider who is responsible, however, when your dog runs off. Have you taught your dog good recall skills? Did you teach him walking on the leash before allowing him to run free off of it? Have you practiced the command “come” with him to make sure he obeys? These steps all function as ways to teach your dog to handle the responsibility of being off leash. If you haven’t taught him these, then ultimately you are the one who is responsible.
If your dog struggles with running off, you can train him to do otherwise. It takes time and patience. Try keeping him on a short leash at first and then adding to his freedoms. Try it out with distractions nearby, or when other dogs are present. Reward him with praise (and treats) when he obeys, and withhold praise when your dog disobeys.

Lunging at Another Dog

Even when your dog is on leash, he may lunge or jump toward other dogs. This can be irritating, or even harmful to the dog owner, or to the other dog. This is a frequent problem that dog owners experience and aren’t always sure how to solve. Of course, the best time to stop this is when your dog is a tiny pup. But many owners allow their cute little puppies to get away with this behavior. And then they get irritated with their giant dog does it. Truly, that’s not fair. If you have not taught your dog to refrain from lunging at other dogs, how is he to change his behavior?
Teach your dog to calmly “say hello” to another dog by commanding him first to “heel”. Once he has mastered heeling, he can slowly be taught to greet others as you give him permission. If you have previously allowed this behavior, you’ll need to work twice as hard to correct it. But don’t give up! Patience and consistency are your best friends when it comes to correcting the times your dog disobeys.
When your dog disobeys, it can be tempting to get angry or annoyed. But if we remember that it’s our responsibility to teach the dog how to act, then we can take a better approach. Be kind and patient, setting forth the expectations to your dog from the very beginning. Of course, it isn’t always the fault of the owner, but take our part of the responsibility is key. Then we can move forward and solve the problem with consistent efforts and effective dog training.

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How to Train a Dog Not to Jump

By Beth Frumkin

How to Train a Dog Not to Jump

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Your tiny puppy jumps on any- and everything he comes into contact with and, because he’s little and cute, no one minds. Plus, he’s too short to really reach anything of consequence on countertops.

However, when your tiny puppy turns into a full-grown dog and hasn’t been taught to stop jumping, he’s going to create some stress — and possibly some damage as well!

It’s essential to learn how to stop a dog from jumping on the counter, guests, and anywhere else you don’t want them. At a minimum, your pants (or shirt depending on your pup’s height) may end up covered with muddy pawprints. Learning how to train a dog not to jump prevents this unwanted behavior.

Even worse, lovely meals and birthday cakes end up as goners if your pup spends time counter surfing. Learning how to keep your dog off the counter helps curb these incidents. Teaching your young pup to keep all four paws on the floor is a critical part of having a well-trained dog.

Three Tips to Stop Dog Jumping

Try these tips to learn how to train a dog not to jump on people and to stay off of your counters.

  1. Curb that Enthusiasm

Your dog jumps when they’re excited. Even if a jumping dog doesn’t bother you, this habit comes across as very rude — or even scary — to many other people. Dogs can’t distinguish between the different people they jump on, so you must train them not to jump at all, no matter who it is.

This excitement is also caused by forbidden — and often delicious — items on kitchen counters. Learning how to stop a dog from jumping on the counter not only preserves your food but helps keep your dog safe from ingesting potentially toxic items.

long-haired Dachshund jumping on grass
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The first step in how to train a dog not to jump is to train yourself. Never touch your dog unless all four of their paws are on the ground. Because they crave your affection, your dog learns quickly that they don’t get a pat if they’re jumping.

Cuddling or petting them when they’re jumping is a reward and teaches them that this is acceptable behavior. If your dog jumps up on you, turn your back and completely ignore them. You can use your leg to gently shove them off, but for a lot of dogs, this quickly turns into a fun game of “shove.” It’s best to simply ignore your pet while saying a firm, calm “down” command.

Once your pooch sits down with all four paws on the floor, calmly offer them praise. When learning how to train a dog not to jump, keep your voice and actions devoid of excitement. If your dog acts overly excited, ignore them again until they calm down. Using a loud, booming voice will only excite them more, so keep it low. Give them attention only when they’ve calmed and are showing less interest in you.

These tips also work if you want to know how to keep your dog off the counter. The difference is you can use your body to gently move them off the counter while giving that same firm “down” command. Don’t shove and turn it into a game. Move gently sideways into them until all four paws are on the ground and then calmly praise.

  1. Teach a Polite Greeting

Many times dogs use jumping on people as a way to greet or say hello. Dogs whose owners haven’t learned how to train them not to jump don’t realize that this is rude and unacceptable. As the owner, you must make sure your dog’s manners are polite.

Teach your dog to sit prior to greeting someone, which will ensure they’re calm first. If your dog hasn’t yet mastered the sit/stay, don’t attempt to teach them not to jump. Avoid the temptation to simply hold their collars to keep them sitting; this can excite dogs the same way walking on a tight leash does. They need to have a solid sit before learning the more complicated task of not jumping.

When introducing your dog to a new person, ask the person to calmly and slowly approach your pup while completely ignoring them. Firmly use the “sit” command while ensuring your dog obeys.

Learning how to train a dog not to jump needs persistence. Require your dog to sit until he can calm down, otherwise, they don’t get to say hello. If you find it difficult to keep your dog seated, explain to the person that your dog is still learning. Tell them that saying hello is a reward and your dog must earn it by being calm. If your pup simply won’t behave, tell the person that they aren’t allowed to greet them right now and ask them if they can try again another time. Eventually, your pup will begin to understand your expectations and obey.

  1. How to Stop a Dog from Jumping on the Counter

Golden Retriever puppy lying calmly on kitchen floor
Photo by Show 131/ CC
Another vital thing to master is how to train a dog not to jump on the counter. Jumping on people and jumping on counters come from very different motivations for dogs. Dogs who jump on people simply want to give a happy greeting. Dogs who get on counters usually do so because they’re looking for something they aren’t supposed to have.

The fact that your dog tries to do this in secret makes it one of the most difficult behaviors to stop. In the case of counter surfing, your goal should always be prevention. Because many human foods actually make dogs sick, it’s best to simply keep your counters free and clear of food in general. This negates the need to learn how to train your dog not to jump on counters in the first place.

However, if you need to learn how to keep your dog off the counter, seek to use food as “bait” and set them up - a sting operation! It may sound mean, but it’s the best way to teach them.

Put a leash on your dog and place some tasty (but not dangerous!) food near the edge of the counter. No doubt, your pup will go for it! When they begin to jump, immediately tug on the leash. At the same time, firmly tell them “no” or “down.” Once they get down off of the counter, praise them.

In the process of exploring how to train a dog not to jump, there may be a time or two they successfully get the food item. If this happens, immediately take it out of their mouth, even if you need to put your hand in their mouth to do it! There’s no use in your dog receiving a reward for doing something they shouldn’t. Otherwise, this exercise produces positive reinforcement for negative behavior.

If they have a tendency to get the food when you practice how to stop your dog from jumping on the counter, try using food that doesn’t taste as good as they expect. For instance, a piece of bread with chili paste might seem appealing. But once he eats it, he’ll instantly regret it!

Again, persistence reigns supreme in how to train a dog not to jump on people or counters. Work consistently for a little bit of time every day. Teach your dog the rules, and make sure your dog knows who’s in charge. Be patient and you’ll find that they’ll eventually respond with the appropriate behavior. Before you know it, you’ll have a well-trained dog with all four paws on the ground!

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A Fearful Dog? Train Your Dog to be a Confident Pet

By Beth Frumkin

A Fearful Dog? Train Your Dog to be a Confident Pet

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Worried about having a fearful dog? Learn how to train your dog to be a confident pet.

Insecurity in our dogs can lead to many problems. Some forms of insecurity are innate, and some are learned based on experiences. Dog who are fearful are unsettled, and this fear can often lead to fear aggression.
Puppies can be inherently fearful. So it is our job, as owners, to teach them to be confident in a variety of situations. Older dogs, particularly those that are rescued, can show fear in different situations based on their history. The challenge is that we don't come to know of that history.
Whatever the reasons for the fear though, you can use these proven techniques to help build your dog’s confidence.

Tone of your voice as you train your dog:

Many puppies and dogs are fearful or timid in new situations. This is a totally natural behavior. But when it is dealt with correctly you can help your puppy gain confidence. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make with their dogs is what I call “justifying the fear”. Dogs read both our body language and the tone of our voice and react accordingly.
If your puppy hears you saying something like, “It’s ok. Don’t worry. Don’t be scared” in a fearful tone, your puppy will instinctively think that you are nervous. That makes them even more nervous! Instead, we always want to be confident in our tone when communicating. Instead of trying to reassure the dog in a concerning tone, sound confident and reassure them there is nothing to fear. By doing this they will realize that you are not concerned, so neither should not be either! Try saying confidently, “Good girl. That’s it. Good.”

Exposure to different situations

The more you expose your dog to, especially early on, the less likely it is they will be fearful or timid. If you have a puppy, it is important to take them into a variety of situations to teach them that there is nothing to fear. For example, busy streets, crowds, and parks are places that your puppy may feel nervous at first. Slowly introduce them to these things. Start with less busy areas and working your way up to bustling and noisy environments. Use the confident tone described above to help the puppy understand there is nothing to fear.
In an older dog, you can do the same thing. But you may find if they had a negative experience they will be even more hesitant. In every case though, you want to make sure to introduce these things to your dog slowly so as not to scare them more. Never force your dog to approach something or someone that makes them nervous. Instead slowly approach something only as close as your dog feels comfortable, and use treats and praise to encourage this. If your dog doesn’t want to go any closer, that’s fine. Bring the dog back to the same spot each day, and encourage them to approach a little closer each time.

Ignoring vs Reacting:

Some dogs are just unable to overcome their fears to the point where they feel comfortable approaching whatever it is. A good example of this is a dog that is fearful of other dogs.
I see fear aggressive dogs all the time, where the fear is so ingrained that they are just unable to be social with other dogs. My answer to this is always the same, it is fine for your dog to not like other dogs, but they need to learn to ignore them vs reacting badly out of fear.
Dogs look to their owners for confidence, so if your dog is afraid, we want them to literally turn to look at us and so that we can confidently reassure them that there is nothing to fear. In these extreme cases I teach a dog to ignore and instead turn to their owner to get through a situation.
A good example of this would be the dog that barks and backs up every time they see another dog approaching. Instead of allowing the fear to progress into aggression, I teach owners to use food to lure their dogs face to them and make eye contact with them as the other dog passes.
Once the dog has gone by, we treat and praise our own dog for not reacting. By doing this repeatedly, it teaches our dogs to look to us to gain confidence, and in turn they become more confident over time.

Focus on you:

Many dogs have fears and feel insecure in certain situations. The main goals are always to train your dog to focus on you when they are scared, and realize that your calm and confident behavior is also how they should react. Dogs are very perceptive animals, and if they sense any fear or insecurity in their owners, it only builds fear in them.
Calm and confident dogs are happier and more settled than insecure dogs, so always help your dog conquer their fears and gain confidence from you.

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Stop Puppy Biting: The Why And The How

By Beth Frumkin

Stop Puppy Biting: The Why And The How

Photo by Show 131/ CC

If a tiny little puppy starts nipping at your ankles or fingers, it might be kind of cute at first. But the older (and bigger!) he gets, the more likely this is to be a nuisance—or even a danger. Some puppies have a tendency to bite because of their breed, while others just pick it up as a habit. Although biting is certainly a problem related to the age of your pup, if you don’t stop him early on then he’ll believe that it’s okay and eventually turn into a biting dog.
 
Why Puppies Bite
Typically, puppies bit from one of two reasons: either they can’t contain their excitement, or they are teething. Since they have no self-control, puppies often become overstimulated which means they are excited and tired at the same time. At this point, they easily give into their instinct to bite. As your pup ages, he will likely learn to control himself a bit but will still probably need some help.
 
Teething puppies bite simply to relieve the discomfort that comes from new teeth cutting through. Timing may vary depending on the breed, but this process of teething typically begins around the age of three months and last until 6-8 months of age. Dogs who are teething will naturally stop on their own when the discomfort subsides. In the meantime, offer your pup toys or rawhide to chew on rather than your hands.
 
How to Stop Puppy Biting
These five tips provide you with actionable steps to take toward stopping puppy biting:
 

  1. Use a toy. For a puppy who is teething, as mentioned above, a bone or chew toy should be made available. If your pup tries to bite your hand, give him a firm “no”, and replace it with an appropriate toy. (Soft, squeaky toys are not as likely to be satisfying so go for a harder chew toy to begin with. Then test it out to see what your pup likes best.) Once he has taken the toy, praise him with encouraging words and pat him or scratch his ears. This positive reinforcement is critical for his development and training in puppy biting as well as other habits.

 

  1. Walk away. Nothing upsets a pup more than losing attention! If you are playing together and he won’t stop biting, simply get up and leave. This sends him the message that play time ends when he bites. Otherwise, if you keep playing, he may misunderstand that biting is a fun game and try to continue.

 

  1. Try cradling. This method works not only for puppy biting but also for other times you want him to be calm. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Put your pup upside down on your legs, with his head near your belly and legs inside your legs. Form a circle around his front legs, with your index finger and thumb. Keep your hands near his “underarms”. At this point, use your thighs to brace him if he is trying to wriggle away. While it may be uncomfortable for both of you at first, this cradle hold will begin to signal to your dog that it’s time to calm down.Keep your pup in this position long enough for him to calm down. Once he is calm, you may praise him and let him go. Of course, some puppies become so comfortable in this hold that they fall asleep!

 

  1. Divert your puppy's attenion. Diverting your puppy’s attention may be the only way to get him to stop biting. In this case, introduce something else for him to focus on or something to do. Try putting a leash on him and practice some obedience training. Use treats if he works on his tricks calmly. Once you’ve gotten him to think about something else, your pup may move on from the biting.

 

  1. Remove him. As a last resort, if your puppy is biting and won’t stop then you can remove him from the situation. Put him in his crate or outside with a toy that he is allowed to chew on. Use this as a sort of “time out” for your puppy. This helps to calm him, giving him a chance to relax and stop biting people. Once he is able to calm down and control himself, you can praise him and bring him back inside.

 
Here are some more puppy training challenges.

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How To Teach Your Dog ‘Leave It’

By Beth Frumkin

How To Teach Your Dog ‘Leave It’

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It is important to teach your dog at the beginning of his life to set him up for a happy and obedient life! One of the most universal commands taught to dogs, “Leave It” works effectively in a host of different situations. And it keeps you away from the negativity of always using the word “no”. Whether you’re telling your tiny pup to stop chewing on your slippers or you’re trying to get your larger dog to stop sniffing at your neighbor’s rear end, the command “Leave It” works effectively if you know how to train him to listen and obey.
 
If you want to learn how to teach your dog the “Leave It” command, let me tell you - it is fairly simple and straight-forward. This command can be taught incrementally, in just four small steps combined with a significant amount of repetition and patience. By the end of six or eight weeks, even the most tempting treat or satisfying slipper will be left to lie when you tell your dog to “Leave It”. Follow these steps for dog training success:
 
Step One. Begin indoors. Start by putting something on the floor that your dog might want. This may be a piece of food, a shoe, or something else that your dog might usually be interested in. Have some treats available and bring your dog over on a leash to the item. Be ready for when your dog first notices the object (as he will!) and give a firm “Leave It”.  Combine the command with a tug on the leash, using your foot to keep the object away from him.
 
You’ll likely need to repeat this step many times. Possibly over and over. The goal is to get your dog to look at you at some point during this process. Once he looks at you, take this time to reward him with a treat and verbally praise him. If he goes for the object, put the treat under his nose and lure his face away from the object while repeating the phrase “Leave It”. Practice this repeatedly with various objects while you teach your dog what the command means.
 
Step Two. When your dog becomes successful while on the leash, then you’ll know it is time to take the leash off. To make it more challenging, set up a sort of obstacle course. Walk with your pup off leash, navigating through the objects. Repeat “Leave It” each time he looks at one of the items. When he understands, he’ll look at you for a treat each time you say “Leave It”. At this stage, treat and praise him each time he obeys. If he does grab something, pull it out of his mouth immediately—making it unpleasant so he won’t repeat this.
 
Step Three. Once your dog has mastered the “Leave It” command inside the house, feel free to move outside. Use the same technique for any type of outside distractions, keeping treats ready. At first, if your pup is attracted to something you may have to give his leash a tug. Get him to focus his attention on you. If your dog doesn’t succeed well at this stage, go back to practicing inside until he gets it.
 
Step Four. These steps may take approximately six weeks from the start until your dog can obey your leave command without needing a treat for reinforcement. As time passes, wean your pup off the treats by giving one every second time. Never stop using verbal praise to reinforce your puppy’s new obedience trick. When he gets it without a treat every other time, pare it back to every third time and eventually stop giving treats altogether.
 
Effective obedience training for your dog required a great deal of patience, firmness, and repetition. Eventually your dog will defer to the “Leave It” command every time you say it. You’ll find yourself on the way to an obedient, happy dog in no time! And you will get immense satisfaction when you teach your dog these easy, but essential commands.
 

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4 Effective Ways to Mentally Stimulate Your Active Dog

By Beth Frumkin

4 Effective Ways to Mentally Stimulate Your Active Dog

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Dogs. A human’s best friend. Sometimes they are the joy of our lives, and sometimes the bane of our existence. We love having healthy and active dogs, but sometimes they wear us out with their activity and energy. You know that your dog needs to have physical exercise to stimulate him and keep him healthy. Did you know that your puppy can be mentally stimulated in order to wear him out and calm him down?
Bored puppies tend to get into trouble and mischief, finding ways to entertain themselves that are likely not your preference. Dogs who dig in the yard or chew on shoes may simply be searching for something interesting to do. Provide dogs with access to mental stimulation to keep them interested in “appropriate” activities and stay out of trouble.
 
Practice these four tips to mentally stimulate your dog and keep him in good health:
 

  1. There’s more to teaching your puppy tricks than simply entertaining your friends. When dogs practice and perform tricks, they are exercising their minds to stay sharp. Many dogs know how to “roll over”, “play dead”, or “shake”. If your dog has mastered these, now is the time to try the literally hundreds of other tricks you can teach your dog.

Try teaching your dog tricks that require multiple steps to complete. More complicated tasks may take more time to complete, but will keep your dog mentally stimulated for a longer time. If you are not sure which tricks to attempt, do a simple online search. You’ll find dozens of options including how to give a high-5, jump through a hoop, spin, fetch, open and close a door, or even put his own toys away.
Work on tricks with your puppy at a time of day when he is not already exhausted. For instance, after a long walk is a bad time to practice tricks. But in the morning after breakfast might be a good time.
 

  1. Take just one step into a pet store and you will easily see that toys are great for stimulating puppies. Many mental stimulation toys require your dog to get food out of something. For instance, the “Kong” toy allows you to put peanut butter, soaked dog kibble, or some other treat inside. (Kong toys come in different sizes and strengths targeted at your dog’s particular needs and abilities by age and breed.) Your puppy will ideally spend a great amount of time trying to get the food out of the narrow end. Once he has mastered that, consider freezing your filled toy overnight before giving it to him. This will require him to work at it even harder and stimulate him mentally. And because this is not very interactive, you can use this toy as a way to mentally stimulate your dog while you are engaged in a separate activity.

 

  1. Some dog breeds enjoy games and activities more than others do. If your dog breed is smart and active, you need to supply him with mentally stimulating games. One of the simplest games to play with your puppy is hide-and-seek. Using dog treats, of course. Simply command your puppy to sit and stay while you place some treats in plain sight. Release your dog while telling him to go and find the treats. If you need to at first, lead him to some of the treats until he finds them all. Once he has an understanding of the game, begin to hide the treats to make the game more challenging. Puppies are great at using their noses to sniff things out. This game allows him to be physically as well as mentally active.

 

  1. Training your puppy to obey works as a fun, mentally stimulating activity. Practice a very strict heel that requires your puppy to stay directly beside you while walking. If you walk more slowly, your dog must slow down too, meaning he has to concentrate very hard. Add in turns and twists to keep him on his toes—literally!

 
A long “stay” or a “down stay” requires the dog to stay still while you are moving around. Try sitting, squatting, standing, jumping, or even moving in and out of the room as he is required to “stay”. While this may seem cruel, it helps to mentally stimulate him as he must pay careful attention. Not only that, but this works as a good reminder that you are the “alpha” in any situation. The more your dog become accustomed to this activity, the longer you can extend the time you expect him to stay.
 
Physical exercise clearly works as an important part of keeping your dog active and healthy. And, of course, you must always be kind to your dog and allow him to have plenty of time for fun and freedom.  But including mental exercise and stimulation in his life actively works to aid your dog in becoming well-trained, focused, calm, better behaved in various situations. Ultimately, mental stimulation allows your dog to be happier. And that’s what every dog owner wants!
 
 

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Does Your Dog Embarrass You While Walking On A Leash?

By Beth Frumkin

Does Your Dog Embarrass You While Walking On A Leash?

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Dog Leash Training Made Simple
 
When you get a puppy, you imagine how wonderful your life will be! Playing fetch in the park, cuddling, and going for walks. You dream of carrying him in your large handbag where he is perfectly well behaved, much like the girl in Legally Blonde. Maybe you’re even planning to have him as the ring bearer in your wedding. Everything is beautiful in this imaginary world with your new puppy.
Reality, however, hits you a bit differently. Basic commands, house training, and dog leash training work less effectively than you originally anticipated. And the idyllic scene of you and your sweet dog walking in tandem? That turns into something more like a disastrous chase scene from a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Maybe your puppy constantly sneaks off of his leash and into other people’s cat doors, maybe he decides to curl up in a ball for a rest at the end of someone’s driveway, or maybe he has a habit of jumping up at people on the sidewalk and ends up pulling down their pants!
Whatever the case, now is the time to instill some dog leash training into your life.
 
Getting Started with Dog Leash Training
The idea of teaching your dog to walk nicely on a leash may seem simple, but anyone who has tried will likely find it’s a bit more difficult than it sounds. Harnesses typically do not work well when trying to walk with a large breed dog. Harnesses allow dogs to use their full body weight to pull you forward. Eventually this means that they will be walking you rather than the other way around! Collars made of heavy metal must be avoided because they may give your pup too much control.
Begin dog leash training your pup at as young an age as 10 weeks. Use firmness, consistency, fairness, and praise to encourage your dog to develop an understanding of dog leash training within several weeks.
These two main commands teach your pup while he is learning dog leash walking: Heel and Leave It.
 
Dog Leash Training Command: “Heel”
Teaching your dog to heel requires a leash that is somewhat short, helping to keep him in control. Set the goal of keeping the leash hanging loosely next to you. Begin while standing still and then step off slowly, at the same time commanding your dog to “heel”. If needed, use dog treats to lure him forward while keeping him in the right place next to you. If your puppy tries to lurch forward without you, quickly say “no” and pull shortly on the leash. Gently place him in the correct position. Once you return him to the correct position, praise him very quickly so he hears the positive feedback right away.
Another option when your dog starts moving ahead of you: turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Use this to teach your pup to be constantly paying attention instead of trying to wander off on his own. When you do this, you also reinforce the idea that you are the master and he needs to obey you.
 
 
Dog Leash Training Command: “Leave It”
The second main command to accomplish dog leash training is “Leave It”. Use this command for a variety of scenarios. For instance, when on a walk your dog gets very distracted when approaching another dog. When this happens, get your dog’s attention as quickly as possible by using the command “leave it”. Combine this with making eye contact.
Continue to say “leave it” as the approaching dog gets closer. Then step aside and command your pup to “sit”. If you choose, continue saying “leave it” while urging his face toward you with a treat. Keep his attention this way until the other dog passes by. Then immediately praise him and give him the treat.
While you are teaching dog leash training by exercising the command to “leave it”, use the treats in the beginning. As your pup improves his behavior, aim toward weaning him off of the treats. Otherwise you’ll end up with one fat doggie! To do this, continue to use the “leave it” command as well as the verbal praise. But don’t give a treat every time to see how he does. Eventually cut out the treats altogether and your dog will obey you simply for the praise.
 
Dog leash training is not a magical overnight process, but it can often be accomplished in a matter of several weeks if you are dedicated to the task. Start early, be patient, offer positive reinforcement, distract with treats, and use the commands “heel” and “leave it”. These steps guarantee to take you and your puppy far. Eventually, this will accomplish that ideal picture of you and puppy strolling happily along the boulevard with grace and style!
 
 

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5 Important Commands to Train Your Puppy During the First Month

By Beth Frumkin

5 Important Commands to Train Your Puppy During the First Month

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Have you ever met a dog who was simply ill-behaved and awful? Chances are, this is because their owners were not serious about training them when they were just puppies. When you first receive him, begin to train your puppy as soon as possible. Brand new puppies come into your home ready to learn and grow. But whether they learn good or bad habits is entirely up to you!
Some of the most important habits you train your puppy will likely happen within their first month of life. This builds a foundation which you can use to add further training. Here are five of the most critical training points for your puppy’s first month:
 

Sit

First things first. Pups need to know that you are the Alpha in the relationship. This may be accomplished partially when you train your puppy to “Sit”. This idea of sitting helps to instill self-control into your puppy (because we all know that puppies have none on their own!) without asking too much of them. “Sit” is a basic command that allows your puppy to follow a simple instruction and be rewarded easily.
Teaching your young dog to sit is the perfect scenario for him to learn positive reinforcement. You can do this by using a treat, holding it close to your pup’s mouth (so they can smell or even lick it) but make sure they can’t get it. Lure your pup’s nose into the air by using the treat. And what happens when his nose goes up? His bottom goes down! Once he sits, he can have the treat. Eventually you can change your positive reinforcement from treats to praise and he’ll be just as happy.
 
 

Down

It might be cute when your tiny puppy won’t listen and simply crawls all over you. But that quickly stops being so cute when your puppy has turned into a large dog. Starting your dog early with the term “Down” helps to establish your control over the situation as the Alpha.
 
The technique for teaching a dog to lie down is similar to that for sitting but this one might be harder to train your puppy to master. When your pup is seated, place a treat near his nose, letting him smell and lick it. Then slowly try to lure his nose to the ground without giving him the treat. Be sure not to move too far away or he’ll stand up again. If this happens, tell him “No” and start over with the “Down” command. Be patient. When your dog eventually gets it, reward him with the treat and praise. Release with an “Okay” command.
 
 

Stay

Anyone who has ever met a puppy knows that they have a hard time sitting still! Using the “Stay” command can be difficult and this step should be taken very slowly. This command requires a great deal of patience and building a strong foundation of commands.
In order to train your puppy to Stay:

  • Begin by having your puppy sit at your side.
  • Tell your pup to “Stay”. (Many puppies respond well to a stop hand sign.)
  • Slowly pivot around so that you are in front of him.
  • Repeat the command “Stay”, but don’t step away.
  • After one second, repeat the command again and return to your pup’s side.
  • If he has remained still, offer praise, give a treat, and then release with “Okay”.

Repeat these steps and increase time and distance in extremely small increments. Make it a goal to get up to 5 seconds and two steps away. If your dog can’t quite handle this, then back off until he can master it. Then move on.
 
 

Heel

Practicing good leash manners is important to prepare your pup to eventually go for walks. Teach the “Heel” command by remembering that it literally means to follow your heel. Showing your puppy how to walk strictly at your side helps him learn not to pull on the leash. Eventually they can then walk more comfortably beside you.
 
Again, in order to train your puppy to “Heel”, your best bet is to use treats. As you step off to walk, say the command “Heel” and then lure him along with the food. The purpose of this is to keep his focus on you so that he does not run ahead. If he does move ahead, say “No”, stop walking, and put him back where he belongs next to you. Walk very slowly at first, guiding your pup the whole time and commanding him, praising him, telling him “No”, or guiding him back to the proper place. As he begins to understand what you are asking, stop luring with treats and use them as a reward.
 
 

Come

 
Getting your puppy to come to you willingly works as a critical part of his training. This is particularly true if he is ever off leash (playing in a dog park) or gets away from you accidentally. Difficult for puppies to learn, the “Come” command may take up to six months to master. But beginning in his first month of life is still important.
Many small pups won’t stray very far away from their masters. Use this to your advantage by only saying the command “Come” when you are certain that your pup will obey. Or if you are willing to actually go over and retrieve the dog yourself. Make sure your dog knows that “Come” is not an optional command.
One way to be sure that your puppy will come is by being more interesting than whatever he is doing. Bend down to his level, use a very excited voice, and be extremely encouraging. As soon as he comes, sit him at your feet, offer praise, and give a treat. This will positively reinforce his good behavior. At this stage you are trying to get your pup to believe that coming to you is the very best thing in the world!
Practice training your pup to “Come” in an area that is contained, such as in a hallway, our in a secured area. You need to be prepared to go get your puppy if he chooses to ignore you. Then praise him as soon as you touch him, so he associates this with something positive.
 
 
Puppies in their first months of life are small and sometimes silly. But they are never too young to start learning to behave and obey. The sooner you begin to train your puppy, the better a foundation you will lay. And your pup will appreciate your efforts to help him live a happy, obedient life.

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7 Tips to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days. Finally, Stop the Stink!

By Beth Frumkin

7 Tips to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days. Finally, Stop the Stink!

Photo by Show 131/ CC

One of the most difficult (and embarrassing) parts of owning a puppy is that your house can begin to stink! Untrained pups can cause odoriferous damage as well as irritation and frustration. Creating good habits for your puppy at an early age helps him learn quickly and makes him ready so you can housebreak your dog. Your commitment and consistency work to reinforce your pup’s training routine, and the reward will be a happy housebroken dog and a very satisfied owner!
Many people want to get their dogs housebroken. In fact, if you want to train your pup in as little as 7 days, we’ve got 7 tips for you that will help you do it!

Location

Choosing a location for your pup to associate with doing his “business” allows him to learn that he has a specific place where he is supposed to relieve himself. If you can simply let your pup go out into the backyard, this is ideal. If this isn’t an option, you can choose to keep a small litterbox, or even a patch of fake grass for him to go on. Small spaces might be a bit more challenging, but still possible. No matter what you choose, consistency in the space where your dog goes potty acts as an important factor.

Frequency

Puppies have very small bladders and need to go very often. As dogs get older they can hold it longer, but small pups need to urinate and defecate very, very often. Get your puppy to his potty spot right away before he needs to go. In order to do this, take your dog to the potty spot every 30 minutes when you are first beginning to train him. Also, take him within just a few minutes after eating. It may take a lot of patience because puppies have a tendency to be distracted. If your pup doesn’t go after 10 minutes of trying, take him back inside. Be sure to keep him confined and then try again after 15 minutes.

Word Association

Assign a certain term to the activity for your dog to do his business. Use something like “go potty”, or “go to the bathroom”. Say this phrase every time you take your pup to the potty spot. Repeat this phrase each time so that he begins to associate it with the activity of being housebroken.

Positive Reinforcement

Praise your pup every time he goes in the right place! Puppies love positive reinforcement, but they need it in a calm way. If you get too excited, you might distract your dog from doing his business. Continue the habit of praising your puppy for a long time when he goes in the right spot and he’ll enjoy this habit for years to come!

Correction

When trying to housebreak your dog, remember that puppies live very much in the present. Proper correcting of a dog has to happen in the moment, rather than after the fact. Although some people believe that bringing a dog back to the place where they made their mess is effective, it’s really not. If your pup has an accident, just clean it up and move on. Use a cleaner that is designed to remove urine odor, or try white vinegar. This keeps your dog from coming back to that spot and re-claiming it.

Schedule

Keep your dog on a routine to housebreak him as quickly as possible. Dogs do well when they know what to expect. They need to be told when it’s time to eat, go for a walk, or go potty. Continue to stick to the routine even as they continue to extend the amount of time they can “hold it”. Keeping your dog on a schedule by feeding him at the same time every day also helps as dogs typically poop just after eating. Another schedule help is to take the water bowl away from your pup after dinner time. This keeps him from needing to urinate as much in the night.

Pay Attention

A critical point in while you try to housebreak your dog in 7 days is keeping your puppy very close to you at all times. Paying attention prevents your dog from having an accident. Watch him constantly, keep him contained when necessary, and don’t allow him to get too excited. Although it might seem tedious, this effort of paying careful attention to your dog will pay off!
A small puppy will likely take a bit longer than a week to housetrain, particularly it it’s a small breed dog. But applying these principles helps your pup to have as few accidents as possible. Create a routine, stay consistent, offer praise, and pay careful attention so that you can housebreak your dog in as short a time as possible. And soon you’ll find that your house doesn’t stink anymore!

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4 Common Puppy Training Troubles – Which One Do You Need To Solve?

By Beth Frumkin

4 Common Puppy Training Troubles – Which One Do You Need To Solve?

Photo by Show 131/ CC

When you first see your puppy, you will probably find yourself enamored by how cuddly and adorable he is! However, puppy training requires a great deal of work and consistency to get your puppy to the status of being a mature dog. We’ll address some of the more common puppy training problems such as housebreaking, jumping, chewing, and biting.
 
How to solve the 4 common Puppy Training Problems?
 

Housebreaking

Housebreaking your puppy acts as one of the most important parts of training a new canine member of your family. Few things cause more frustration than finding a “gift” that your little pup has left on the carpet or flooring of your home! But with a strict routine—and a lot of patience—you can housetrain your puppy in a short time.
Here are some tips for housebreaking your puppy:

  • Choose a “potty spot” to be the place you take your dog when it’s time to pee or poop.
  • Beginning at just eight weeks old, take your pup to the potty spot every thirty minutes, as well as within just a few minutes of eating. Then wait long enough for the puppy to go.
  • Choose a word or command that represents this action such as “go potty” or “go out” to reinforce this part of your puppy training.
  • When your pup relieves himself in the right place and time, praise him and actively use positive reinforcement.
  • Sometimes your dog doesn’t go when he has the opportunity. When this happens, keep him on a leash or in a crate and try again in 15 minutes.
  • Don’t leave your puppy unattended while you are housetraining him. If you watch your pup at all times, you’ll be able to catch him if he starts to go inside. When this happens, tell him “no”, and take him out to his “potty spot” right away.
  • Use consistency and prevention in puppy training to encourage your dog to “hold” his urine or feces for longer periods of time and expand the time in between trips to the potty spot.

 

Jumping

Tiny, cute pups grab at your heart and jump on your lap! And as they get more and more excited, pups want attention and affection, which means that they jump even more. While you might find a jumping puppy to be adorable, a full-sized jumping dog doesn’t have the same attraction.
Some tips for breaking puppies of jumping:

  • Breaking a dog of jumping works much better if you can start when he is very young. This allows you to stop bad habits before they start.
  • Never touch your pup unless all 4 feet are touching the ground. No love or affection at all. Otherwise you offer a positive reward for negative behavior.
  • Insist that your puppy sits before being introduced to a stranger who wants to say hello. It won’t take long until your dog realizes that the best way to get attention is to keep his feet on the floor.

 
 

Chewing

If you’ve ever found you designer shoe with teeth marks on it, then you know how upsetting a puppy with a chewing pup can be! They really come by it honestly, but that doesn’t make it any less destructive. In an effort to exercise their jaws and practice using their teeth, puppies have a tendency to want to chew. They may also chew out of stress or to explore. Teach your pup from an early age the appropriate types of chewing in contrast to inappropriate chewing. Here’s how:

  • Prevention works as the best possible cure in any puppy training adventure, including chewing.
  • Work hard to avoid leaving anything lying around within the reach of your pup.
  • For furniture, take advantage of a chew-deterring spray such as “Get Off” or Bitter Apple. Apply daily.
  • Just as with potty training, never leave your puppy unattended. If you catch your pup trying to chew, use a firm “leave it” command and remove the item. Praise him immediately when he stops.
  • Provide appropriate chew toys for your dog to get out his aggression and cut his teeth on.

 
 

Biting

Without proper puppy training, your dog is likely to bite or nip. This behavior not only annoys but it can also be dangerous as your pup grows larger. Over-excited puppies particularly have a tendency to use their mouths. They can also end up eating things (like socks) that their bodies don’t digest well.
Some tips to get your pup to stop biting or nipping:

  • If your puppy bites or nips while you are playing, then get up and walk away. This will teach him quickly that play time ends when he bites.
  • When he wants to chew on your hand, have a chew toy handy to show him where he can appropriately bite.
  • Praise your dog for choosing to bite on his toy instead of you.
  • If your pup gets over-excited, try to get him out of the fray. Move him to a quiet corner or put him on a leash to help him calm down.
  • Work on some obedience training activities. Re-grouping your dog’s thought process may allow him to get away from the excitement and re-focus on a training task.

 
Training your pup can prove to be difficult, but also very exciting! Dogs thrive well and feel safe when their masters provide them with consistency. As you teach your dog to understand your expectations, build good habits, and follow rules and structure, you provide him with a great foundation to grow into a well-behaved dog. And into your very best friend.

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