Posts tagged Puppy behavior

EMC Lifestyle – To a man the greatest blessing is individual liberty,

To a dog it is the last word in despair

William Lyon Phelps

Why should we train puppies? Many people think puppies are too young to be trainable, after all they are just babies.

It would surprise many to learn that young puppies are like sponges and soak up training very quickly. Also during the early months of a dog’s life, there is an open window on the mind that allows them to become easily socialized. This is when puppies should be aggressively exposed to our complex world of unusual sights, sounds and smells. They need to meet all types of people: the elderly, children, the infirm, encounter people with wheelchairs, crutches, canes and umbrellas, see funny hats, different clothes and men with beards. At this special time, they should experience traffic, street noises, ride in cars and meet other dogs in a structured manner.

These early experiences are valuable to growing puppies and helps them become stable adults. Taking your young dogs to good puppy classes provides opportunities for these things to happen and helps owners to learn how to provide this exposure safely without instilling fear in the puppy’s mind.

Large or small, dogs jumping up on people, pulling on the leash, or being difficult with small children present problems that need to be dealt with quickly. These difficulties if unsolved become habitual, and can escalate creating hard to live with adult dogs. Many of these dogs are banished to a chain in the yard where they cannot inflict themselves on others or worse still euthanized. This creates discontent for the family, often a poor neighbourhood situation, and despair for the dog. Getting your puppy into a puppy class where you learn how to train your pet is essential. The science of dog training has changed dramatically over the past 15 years and yes, it is a science studied and researched in the Animal Behaviour Departments of universities the world over.

It is important not to let dogs rehearse bad behaviour until it becomes habitual and training classes teach how to do this. Good puppy classes provide puppy play for dog-dog socialization, handling by different people, exposure to a mixed noisy environment, development of bite inhibition. At the same time, behaviours like sit, down, come, stay and loose leash walking are taught. You will learn how to work these behaviours between classes. As dogs mature, you and your pet can continue to perfect these behaviours in beginner and advanced classes. The result: a well trained dog, who enjoys and knows how to work for you and is a true family companion.

Do make training part of your plans when getting a puppy or a more mature dog. Classes are available that are suited to mature dogs, who are able to learn new behaviours. Investigate the classes available in your area and sign up. You will have fun with your new pet and the bond that develops between you will be very special.