Where does puppy training begin? Useful techniques for teaching your dog commands. Group or individual lessons


At what age can you train a puppy?
A puppy is capable of learning from birth, but while he is blind and deaf, it is very difficult to find suitable reinforcement for him. At the age of about 2 weeks, the puppy’s eyes open and he begins to leave his “den” - the place where a happy mother and offspring live. Leaving the house, he gets acquainted with the world around him. At this time, it is already easier to train him, but training can cause severe anxiety in his mother, and this is unsafe - both for the mother dog and for the puppies, and sometimes for people.
At four weeks of age, the puppy is active, cheerful and trusting. He begins a period of socialization, when he learns to communicate with his relatives, people and the world around him. From 3 to 16-20 weeks (this depends on the breed) the puppy should be exposed to as many types of people, dogs and situations as possible. At this time, he needs to learn the language of his species, otherwise he will not be able to communicate with his relatives, will not become interested in the opposite sex, and will not be able to take care of his own offspring. If a puppy of this age communicates only with adults, he will not understand that small children are people too, and may even begin to hunt them. It is extremely important that the puppy is well socialized, so from 3 to 16 weeks– this is a critical age that determines the entire subsequent life of your pet.
Naturally this is also best age to start training because:
1) Training is not only and not so much about teaching a skill. When you train a dog, you give it the key to understanding man. She begins to distinguish praise from blame, learns your gestures, becomes better attached to her owner, and learns to understand where your attention is directed.
2) Training is the path to soft, friendly communication with your dog. Almost every prohibition command, like “ugh!” or “you can’t!” can be replaced with the command “come to me” or “sit.” If the puppy grabs a slipper or leans on you with his front paws, punishment will only direct his attention to what he is doing. And although he may begin to fear punishment (or the owner himself), he will no longer forget about the slippers or his paws on the owner’s coat. The command tells the dog not what it should not do, but what it should do in this situation. The puppy's attention is directed to the execution of commands, they are reinforced, and unwanted behavior disappears from his memory.
3) Training is a way to enrich your puppy's life, which means it’s better to socialize him. By working with your dog and not letting its development take its course, you will feel for yourself what exactly your puppy is afraid of and what else you need to introduce him to. And during classes, he will constantly cope with new tasks for him and develop his intelligence.
4) Around 3 to 12 weeks of age in a puppy play behavior develops. If you skip this period, it will be much more difficult to play tricks on the dog, and he will prefer to follow commands for a treat; he will be less interested in toys.
It doesn't matter if it's about pet, but canine athletes know how valuable a dog’s love of games is when preparing for performances in obedience, agility, freestyle courses, as well as protective servicegood job on the sleeve depends on how much and correctly the dog was played in childhood.

However, there are two very serious reasons why dogs start training later than 16 weeks:
1) Vaccinations. Unfortunately, in big cities the likelihood of a puppy catching a fatal infection is very high, so you have to be careful about vaccinations and observe quarantine. However, while quarantine is in progress, the puppy misses the socialization period. The owner needs to remember that 15 years with a “crazy psycho” in the apartment will not give him any pleasure, even if this tailed madman is physically healthy. Therefore, as soon as the quarantine is over, you need to socialize the dog without wasting a minute. Usually, owners have only 2-4 weeks to fill the gaps in their pet's development.
2) Training methods. It has been experimentally proven that training based on the so-called “mechanics” (when you put pressure on the dog with your hands, trying to form its posture) leads to the fact that the dog is getting stupid. She stops taking initiative and does not try to solve the problem on her own. Such training does not help the puppy develop, but, on the contrary, spoils it.
Around 16 weeks is still a very young age. strong memory. In addition, for many dogs (this depends on the breed of your pet), 3-4 months is the beginning of the “age of fear”, when the puppy learns to distinguish between dangerous and safe. All events that happen to the puppy and the people and dogs around him are literally “imprinted” in the baby’s memory. If you physically punish your puppy, or if someone harshly punishes their dog in front of your pet, this will have an impact. irreversible consequences : Later they will manifest themselves in a fear of all people or people with some special appearance, perhaps in a fear of dogs or special situations. Let's say, if in front of your puppy someone on the training ground severely punished their dog, so that it tucked its tail or even squealed, your puppy will remember that dogs experience pain on training grounds. This will affect both group classes and sports performances.
The only punishment applicable at this age is a “time out”, ignoring the dog for several minutes. Even raising your voice to a puppy needs to be done carefully - one dog will react to this calmly, another – nervously. Remember:
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DOG TRAINING IS NOT RELATED TO PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT.
The only important thing is at what moment and how you influence the dog. If you do everything in right moment, then you achieve the result without tugging or spanking the dog. If you have to physically punish your dog, it means you are not aware of the situation, you are late or in a hurry, or you are simply giving vent to irritation. All this leads to negative result in training.
Training a puppy around 16 weeks of age to benefit both dog and owner should involve only two methods.

1) Taste-enhancing. The dog is taught to follow a piece of treat or toy. Then the treat is introduced in such a way that the puppy has to sit, lie down, stand up, or do something else to get the reward.
2) Operant. The owner calmly watches the dog and, as soon as it accidentally makes some necessary movement, gives it a treat. At first, the dog makes the desired movement very rarely, but gradually it begins to understand that there is some kind of connection between its behavior and reward. Having mastered several commands in this way, the dog begins to invent and suggest this or that movement to the owner - the person can only choose what to reward the pet for.

There are already training grounds where instructors use the two methods described when training all dogs: both puppies and adults. This kind of training safe for the psyche dogs any age, besides, it allows you to achieve much more high results in training and helps to establish understanding between dog and owner. Therefore, you can start training in educational training groups at such sites immediately after the end of quarantine or 2 weeks after the puppy arrives in your home. Best age puppy to start training – 3.5-4 months.

Some owners are sure that the dog does not need to be taught commands if it does not take part in competitions and exhibitions. But this is a fundamentally wrong position. A well-mannered and obedient pet is not only a reason to be proud, but also an opportunity not to experience behavior problems during a walk or in other situations. This is relevant not only for representatives of large or fighting breeds, and for decorative dogs, which can also cause a lot of trouble to the owner, surrounding people and animals.

This is rather a rhetorical question, since dogs are highly trainable and, with due attention and patience, can master any skill they want. Some people want their pet to fetch items, while others want them to guard their home. The main thing worth highlighting is that he must respond to his nickname, hear and obey his owner when he receives an instruction or sees a warning gesture. There cannot be a single list for non-service breeds, so it all depends on the owner and personal preferences. Nevertheless, there is a list of basic commands that develop the animal’s agility, obedience and intelligence.

"To me"

One of the basic commands that must be practiced until it is executed perfectly, since in some cases it can save the pet’s life. At first it is pronounced when the dog is already running towards the owner, and later - using attractive objects (treats, toys). The order is given in a calm voice from a short distance, and when the student has mastered it a little, you need to increase the distance and, ideally, achieve fulfillment even when the owner is out of sight (for example, in another room).

You should not use the command “Come to me” before doing things that are unpleasant for the animal (trimming claws, scolding for something, etc.).

"Sit"

Another one mandatory command, which allows you to stop the dog at the right time and take a sitting position. To begin with, it is pronounced at the moments when the puppy begins to sit down on its own, and subsequently at the request of the owner after pronouncing the order. To master it, you need to show and let the animal smell the delicacy, then raise it above your head and voice the order. You can simultaneously help the animal by gently pressing on the sacrum area.

“Come” and “Sit” are the two most important skills that must be performed the first time, regardless of the situation or mood. Without mastering them, you should not let your dog go without a leash while walking.

"Near"

This skill will be useful so that the animal does not scare others in in public places and followed the owner. It is recommended to start the lesson when he has walked around and will not be distracted by external factors. Training takes place in motion, on a leash, which is kept 20-30 cm from the collar. The owner moves at a moderate pace and clearly says “Nearby.” If the dog moves away from your leg or gets underfoot, you need to use a leash and a repeated order to return it to its place and, if successful, reward it with a treat. Over time, you can speed up or slow down the pace of movement, start running or turn to the side and ensure that the dog is always at your foot and moves in parallel.

"Ugh"

One of the basic skills that requires a complete prohibition of incorrect actions, and will be useful when it is necessary to wean a puppy from biting, jumping on people, lifting prohibited objects or chasing someone. Initially, the skill is practiced on a slack leash, which jerks sharply at the moment the order is pronounced.

You should not abuse this requirement so as not to turn a dog's life in a series of prohibitions. Repeating it too often risks causing her to simply stop responding to it.

"Place"

The animal must have a clearly marked permanent place, and it must know its location. To train, you need to say “Place” and lure the dog there by showing a treat. When he is in the required place, praise him and give him the tidbit. This demand is usually used for unwanted behavior and means something like a human “go away”, for example, if a dog begs food from the table or jumps on guests.

"Lie"

This order is not used as often as "Sit", but can also be useful in certain situations, for example, at a veterinarian's appointment when you need to examine your pet. For training, you can use a treat that is held so that the animal reaches forward and down and eventually accepts supine position. The second option is, after giving the order, press the withers with one hand, and place the other behind the front paws and push them forward.

It is important to ensure that the dog does not fall over on its side and lies down carefully, stretching out its front legs and tucking its hind legs under itself.

"Stand"

This skill is not only included in the list of standards, but is also often used in Everyday life. For example, combing the fur or dressing an animal is much more convenient if it stands upright and does not fall over on its side. Since this command requires more endurance and concentration, training should begin no earlier than 7 months of age. After pronouncing the instruction “Stand,” you need to bend over to the dog sitting next to you and lift it to a standing position, holding it under the stomach with your left hand. After holding for 3-4 seconds, you can give a treat and praise.

"Give"

Having heard such an order, the animal must give up the object that it holds in its teeth or guards as its property (a bowl, a toy) and does not allow anyone to approach it. It adapts well to toys in puppyhood, so when the puppy grabs a toy, you need to strictly say: “Give it” and take it away. If necessary, you can stroke, shake the animal or unclench its jaws with your free hand, while repeating the order. To begin with, it is important to return the toy immediately, and over time, increase the gap between compliance and returning the item.

"Aport"

Despite the fact that this skill is not as important as “To me”, “Nearby” or “Place”, it can be taught already with early age to complement your student's abilities. First you need to put the student in his place and interest him in some object (stick, ball), and when he tries to grab the thing, throw it back and say: “Fetch!” Training is accompanied by a gesture indicating the required item.

"Walk"

Typically used to change activities after completing an exercise. The command is not difficult for the animal. The order “Walk” is pronounced and the direction of movement is indicated with a gesture. If, after practicing other skills, you release the dog each time with the word “Walk,” then there will be no need for targeted training.

"Give me your paw"

The command does not carry any functional load, but will be very useful when it comes time to trim nails or wash paws after a walk. To master this useful trick, you need to sit your pet in front of you and show him a treat clenched in your fist. He will instinctively try to get it first with his tongue and then with his paw. At this moment, you need to say: “Give me your paw” and hold the paw in your hands for a few seconds, after which you can praise the student and give the honestly earned edible reward.

"Face"

This command deserves special attention and is mastered only after other orders are unquestioningly and instantly carried out. “Face” is a protective, but at the same time dangerous skill, so it is best to learn it in the presence of a professional instructor and at the age of no earlier than 6-10 months. After the words “Face,” the student must attack the object.

Attention: the “Fas” command can only be taught to a psychologically healthy and balanced dog!

Preparation

Before starting training, it is important to realize that there are no stupid pets. Of course, it is advisable to start working immediately after the puppy appears in the house. Starting from 3 months, you can begin to master simple skills in game form, since the baby will quickly absorb information. Some people believe that an animal becomes stupid with age, but this is not true - it is more difficult for an adult animal to assimilate new information. But if the moment is missed and the dog has matured, it can also be taught commands at home if you act correctly and systematically, but it will just take more time.

The main conditions for successful training include a confident, loud intonation of the voice, clarity of gestures and sufficient patience, since at first the animal may not pay attention to either orders or gestures.

Choosing a training location

An area already familiar to the dog, where there will be no distractions (cars, strangers and animals), is suitable as a training place. If the place is unfamiliar, you need to give him time to sniff new territory and make sure there are no dangers.

Choosing a training time

The time for classes is selected depending on the daily routine and your own plans, but it is not advisable to conduct classes in the middle of the day in the summer. If this is the only thing possible time, then you should stock up on enough water. You should not start exercising immediately after sleep, hearty lunch or dinner. The last meal should be several hours before the start of training. Before starting the lesson, it is recommended to take the animal for a good walk or run several laps around the stadium.

Choice of treats

It is important to take it with you favorite treat dog, which will motivate her to obey and correctly follow orders. These can be pieces of cheese, boiled meat, dry food, special cookies purchased at a pet store and any other options.

How to praise correctly

Treats and praise (vocally or in the form of stroking) act as encouragement for the dog correct behavior only if they arrive immediately at the time the task is completed. A common mistake is delaying a treat, during which actions unrelated to the command may be performed. For example, when mastering the order “Come to me,” the treat is given as soon as the dog is near the legs, but not when it has already approached, sat down, or twirled around. Otherwise, the reward will be associated with the last action (sat down, licked the hand, leaned its paws on the owner, etc.)

If you decide not to use the services of dog trainers, but to train your dog at home, then it is useful to at least know their basic professional recommendations:

  1. Classes are held daily with a gradual increase in time and number of repetitions. To get started, 10-15 minutes will be enough.
  2. The command is pronounced in a stern, serious voice, praise in a softer and more playful voice.
  3. The requirement is pronounced once, maximum twice. Multiple repetition will not be effective, since the dog will be confident that it can follow the instructions the tenth time, which is unacceptable in critical situations.
  4. Before voicing the order, the pet’s name is pronounced, which is a kind of signal to attract attention and follow further instructions.
  5. You cannot raise your voice or start shouting, and especially resort to physical punishment if the student refuses to follow the instructions.
  6. Each successful action is rewarded with treats and verbal praise.
  7. You can conduct classes in one place, and after successfully mastering the skill, change the environment and location.

If you become the owner of a new pet, it is important to understand that a change of environment usually causes stress for the dog. At first, it is important to make friends with him, spend more time and feed him only with your own hands in order to achieve the necessary trust. If you put enough love, attention and care into your dog to teach basic skills, you can get it right. well-mannered pet, who will be devoted to his owner to the tip of his tail.

The desire to caress, pamper and simply love little puppy quite natural and more pleasant than the desire to educate him. Why? Because at first this little living and so defenseless lump is simply pitiful. It is not clear how and what can be taught to him at such a tender age. He'll grow up...

The biggest mistake new owners make is waiting for the puppy to grow up. This will happen much faster than you think, and by that time the grown-up puppy will begin to train you. The age of a dog is not comparable to the age of a person, so we must know how our puppy grows and develops.

A 2-3 month old puppy is quite ready to absorb information at the level of a 4-5 year old child. Training a puppy is a process that is necessary from the first days of being in the house. Let these be the simplest commands: “Place”, “Lie down”, “No”, “Ugh”, “Come to me”. By 6 months, the puppy will have already mastered them, and during a walk you will only have to consolidate the results obtained.

A 6 month old puppy is approximately the same age as a 10 year old child. Active exploration of the surrounding world continues. The puppy is already more confident in himself, and he can do more difficult tasks- commands “Sit”, “Stand” and “Nearby”. Perseverance is still not enough, but everything is remembered quite quickly. Gradually, you can teach your puppy to fetch. And, of course, all classes should be carried out in the form of a game, making sure to take breaks and not overtire the puppy. After all, at such a young age he nervous system extremely mobile.

Classes should be alternated with playing with other dogs, communicating with people and walking in different places unfamiliar to the puppy. This allows him to be socialized and accustoms him to obedience in different conditions and unfamiliar places.

The biggest mistake new owners make is waiting for the puppy to grow up. This will happen much faster than you think, and by that time the grown-up puppy will begin to train you.

From 6 to 10 months, the puppy turns into a young dog. His teeth have already changed. He is physically stronger and puberty forces him to decide on his status in his own pack - your family. This is where what you painstakingly put into his young head from the first days of his life in your house will come in handy.

The main task is to explain to the young dog that you, the owner, are the leader of the pack. That all family members, including the youngest and the oldest, have unquestioned authority. And that from now on the dog will be treated with respect, but not equal. If the owner was able to set priorities correctly, without humiliating the dog or treating it rudely, then the dog will grow up obedient, even if it has not undergone special training courses.

It is important to remember that a dog, like a person, values ​​justice. She will humbly accept punishment if it is on time and for the cause. Will gladly accept praise. He will appreciate the owner's respect and will not forgive lies.

Many people consider puppies to be the most adorable thing because they are so small, fluffy and cute. Although puppies are cute and fun to become good dogs, they need proper education. Transforming a puppy into well-mannered dog It takes a lot of time, as well as a lot of patience and love, but all this effort will definitely pay off in the long run. A well-trained puppy will be a wonderful companion for you, while failure to train your pet can very quickly lead to serious problems. Start your training by developing a good relationship with your puppy, and then move on to learning all the important commands that he will benefit from knowing.

Steps

Part 1

Learn the basics of training

    Prepare yourself and your family to be responsible for your puppy. With all the excitement that accompanies the arrival of a puppy in the house, it is very important to distribute the various responsibilities for training it among family members and establish rules regarding the puppy itself. The key factor(not only for the puppy, but also for you) is discipline.

    • For example, if you decide that the puppy should sleep in a crate until he gets used to cleanliness, then for the first few days do not allow anyone to let the puppy into your bed at night.
  1. Set clear rules for your puppy. A puppy needs clearly established rules from the very first day in your home. At the same time, the rules themselves should be simple to implement. For example, if you do not allow your puppy to climb to the second floor of the house, install a gate on the stairs. If you don't want your puppy to beg at the table, never give him food from your plate. And remember not to swear at your puppy too much, otherwise he will lose trust in you.

    Find a suitable method of encouragement. It is almost impossible to train a puppy without using some kind of reward. Many dogs respond well to edible rewards. However, be aware that when using edible rewards (or "treats"), the food pieces must be small. Even the most common dog food pellets are suitable for training!

    • Regular use of overly large pieces of treats to reward will very soon lead to weight gain. excess weight in the dog and related problems with health. Use the most delicious treats when learning new commands, for example, turkey is a healthy tasty treat. When you're simply reviewing what you've learned, use lower-value treats, such as regular dog food kibble.
    • Some dogs respond better to play rewards. If a dog likes to play fetch, he might be rewarded by throwing a ball every time he does something right, other dogs might enjoy playing tug of war. However, game types of rewards take longer, because of them the puppy may become overexcited and be unable to continue the lesson, in addition, after a while the game may simply get boring for the pet. Games are good for rewarding agility training, but such training should not be done until the dog is 18 months old and his joints and bones are strong enough for such activities.
  2. Research information about your specific breed. Different breeds There are significant differences between dogs, so it's a good idea to research the characteristics of your dog's breed so you know what to expect. Each breed needs its own training program for its well-being, so make sure you know your dog's specific needs.

    Use verbal praise. Verbal praise should also be used in conjunction with the reward methods you choose. When your puppy follows your commands correctly, praise him good-naturedly in a clear tone of voice. Puppies always respond well to the contented and happy voice of their owner.

    • Clicker training is also helpful. For this, you will need to buy a clicker and immediately click it every time the dog correctly follows the command.
    • On the other hand, if the puppy does not obey, a stern tone of voice should be used to reprimand. It is very important that the puppy understands the difference between a happy and dissatisfied tone of voice of the owner who informs him of a mistake. Just remember to make peace with your puppy after you scold him.
  3. Make sure that training sessions are short (about 10-15 minutes). Also try to make sure that the lessons are full of new and interesting things, for example, include small games of your own inventing them. If you see your dog starting to get bored, distracted, or upset, end the lesson and pause.

    • If you yourself start to get frustrated, end the lesson as well, but try to end on a positive note with praise and encouragement. This way the puppy will look forward to the next lesson.
    • Try to give your puppy 10-15 minute lessons every day to help your puppy learn new commands faster.

    Part 2

    Toilet train your puppy
    1. As soon as you bring your puppy home, start teaching him to be clean. Remember that a puppy 12 weeks of age or younger is not yet able to fully control bladder and intestines. Even if he wanted to “be patient,” he simply could not do it, so he should not be severely punished for mistakes in the house. In most cases, the process of accustoming to cleanliness within the walls of the house lasts until the age of six months, and in some cases even longer.

      • When it comes to toilet training your puppy, it is very important to maintain a positive attitude, even if the puppy has made a mistake.
    2. Don't forget the rule of converting months to hours. Puppies are usually able to tolerate and wait for a walk for as many hours as they are months old. If your puppy is four months old, then he should not be left without a walk for more than four hours.

      • This rule does not apply to night time, since at night the puppies' intestines fall asleep, just like in humans. By the time your puppy is four months old, he should no longer feel the need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
    3. Organize a regular feeding schedule. As you might have guessed, in most cases the puppy needs to be walked immediately after feeding. To speed up the toilet training process, organize a regular feeding schedule for your puppy and strictly follow it. Do not free feed your puppy (with a full bowl of food always available) unless advised by your veterinarian.

      Walk your puppy regularly. Create a regular walking schedule for your puppy. Very young puppies go to the toilet every 30-45 minutes. Such puppies need to be walked every hour, as well as immediately after feeding, sleeping and playing. The puppy should definitely be walked in the morning, in the evening before bed, and also before you are going to leave him alone at home for a long time.

      Praise your puppy for going to the toilet outside. Give your puppy treats and praise him for every time he defecates and urinates outside. Try to always take your puppy to the toilet in the same place designated for this purpose. While in the designated place, give the puppy the “toilet” command and wait for him to do his business.

      • Choosing a specific place for the toilet will help the puppy make an associative connection between its smells and the need to go to the toilet. Often it is the smell that prompts the puppy to go to the toilet as soon as possible.
      • While training your puppy to be clean, always stay close to him during walks so that you can immediately praise him when he goes to the toilet. Remember that some puppies go to the toilet as soon as they are outside, while others need to sniff the area or play a little first.
    4. Pay attention to signs that your puppy wants to go to the toilet. Common signs that your puppy wants to go to the bathroom include sniffing the floor, pacing in circles, whining, pacing incessantly, and wanting to get out. As soon as you notice this behavior, pick up the puppy and take him for a walk as soon as possible. Remember to always keep a close eye on your puppy.

      • If you catch a puppy relieving himself in the wrong place, clap your hands loudly twice. The noise will scare the puppy and make him stop. Quickly take your puppy outside by pulling him by the collar or having him run on his own next to you.
      • When you find yourself outside, take the puppy to the designated toilet area and let him do his business. Once the puppy has done everything, praise him and give him a treat. If your puppy can no longer go to the toilet, don’t worry, just try to be near him the next time he wants to go to the toilet so that you can take him outside in time.
      • Don't yell at your puppy and never poke his nose into a puddle. Just clean up after the puppy and try to walk him on time next time.
    5. Create a pen for the puppy. This is especially important when you leave your puppy at home alone. Select a cage or area that can be fenced off with a pen or covered with a baby gate. Secure this area for the puppy. Lay newspapers on the floor, give the puppy bedding, toys, and bowls of water and food. After a few weeks, you will notice that the puppy will begin to go to the toilet only in one specific place in the designated area.

      • Gradually, you can begin to reduce the area covered with newspapers until the puppy begins to go to the toilet on one newspaper laid down. Eventually, the newspaper can be gradually moved closer to the outside door, and the puppy will continue to use it as a toilet.
      • If the puppy starts going to the toilet somewhere else again, then you have reduced the area covered with newspapers too much or moved the newspaper to a new location too quickly. Toilet training a puppy takes quite a lot of time, be patient.
      • Praise your puppy when he goes to the toilet in the right place. If the puppy made a mistake, but you did not see how he did it, there is no need to scold him. He will not understand the punishment for what he did an hour ago. If you catch the puppy right at the scene of the crime, hold it and firmly say “ugh.”
    6. Allow your puppy access to all areas of your home. Once your puppy is comfortable using the designated toilet area and can be trusted, allow him to begin exploring the rest of your home. It's best to introduce your puppy to new rooms one at a time. Only do this under supervision. When you can't supervise your puppy, take him back to the pen.

      • Put your puppy on a leash when you let him explore a new room. When your puppy is tied to a leash, it is harder for him to get into trouble.

    Part 3

    Stop your puppy from biting and chewing things
    1. Understand that your puppy is not trying to hurt you when he bites you. Puppies learn the world with the help of his mouth. Therefore, they may bite when they are studying you or just playing. Puppies simply do not understand that their teeth are like needles piercing human skin, so it is very important to teach them not to bite as early as possible.

    2. Teach your puppy to be neat. Puppies don't yet realize how hard they bite. When playing with your puppy, let him grab you with his mouth; most likely, he already does this himself. If he bites you too hard, scream or make a loud "ouch." This will scare the puppy and he will stop biting.

      • Ignore your pet for 10-20 seconds after the bite or move away from it for 10-20 seconds. Then go back and continue the game. When your puppy bites you too hard again, yelp “ouch” again and ignore him for another 20 seconds or so. Such actions will let the puppy understand that neatness allows you to continue playing, while painful bites stop it.
      • Once the puppy stops biting very hard, he can also be trained to bite even with moderate force. Simply repeat the above steps whenever your puppy bites moderately hard. Continue training until the puppy always gently grabs you with his mouth or stops doing it completely.
    3. Stop your puppy from grabbing your legs. If your puppy likes to lunge at your feet when you walk, carry his toy in your pocket. As soon as your puppy begins to grab your legs, freeze, take out a toy and shake it to get his attention. When the puppy begins to chew on his toy, continue on your way. Eventually, your puppy will learn that chewing on toys is better than biting someone's feet.

      • If you don't have a toy, just freeze when the puppy starts nipping at your legs. When he stops, praise him and find him a toy.
    4. Teach your puppy not to chew on objects that he should not chew on. If you see your puppy chewing on something like a shoe, sock, or piece of furniture, take the item away from him and verbally scold him. Draw his attention to something he is allowed to chew on, such as a favorite toy, and praise him when he begins to chew on that particular one. This way the puppy will understand that there are objects that he can chew, and there are objects that he cannot chew.

      • If your puppy persists in chewing on things he shouldn't, use a flavor deterrent (such as sour apple flavor) to stop him. Similar protective equipment can be purchased at a pet store. Products with a sour apple flavor work best, as they bad taste forces the puppy to immediately abandon its intentions to chew on the object they have treated.

    Part 4

    Teach your puppy basic obedience commands
    1. Teach your puppy the "sit" command. Any dog ​​should know the "sit" command. If you want your dog to be obedient, well-controlled, and capable of learning more advanced tricks, teach him the "sit" command first.

      • Prepare your treat in advance. To learn this command, you need to use a treat (of course, if the dog likes rewards in the form of treats).
      • The puppy should first be placed on a leash. A leash will help you control your dog's movements.
      • Hold the treat directly in front of your puppy's nose. Pull the leash slightly upward and at the same time move the treat higher, still holding it directly under the dog's nose.
      • The puppy will follow the movement of the treat, which will cause him to automatically assume a sitting position. Otherwise, apply pressure on your puppy's butt to help him sit up. As soon as the puppy sits, give the command “sit.” Then give him the treat and praise him.
      • Repeat the given steps regularly and remain patient. Some dogs learn more slowly than others. When your puppy recognizes the word “sit” well, start giving the command before he sits. With time, patience, and practice, the dog will eventually learn the "sit" command.
    2. Teach your puppy the "down" command. They begin to teach the puppy the “lie down” command when he already knows how to sit on command. The execution of the “lie down” command begins from a sitting position. Again, prepare the treat in advance. This time, the puppy should also be on a leash so that you can better control him.

      • Hold the treat in front of your puppy's nose where he can see it. You may find it more comfortable to squat down to be closer to the ground.
      • While holding the leash taut so your puppy can't reach the treat, slowly lower the treat toward the floor. The puppy should lie down on its own in an effort to be closer to the treat.
      • If this doesn't work, pull the leash a little harder. At the same time as you move the treat, pull the puppy down by the collar. When the puppy begins to lay down, give the command "down" and give him a treat.
      • Finally, start giving the "down" command before the puppy lies down. Continue practicing until the puppy can lie down on his own after a command.
    3. Teach your puppy the “come” command. This is another important security command. You need to keep control of the dog and be able to call it to you at any time on command.

      • Place your puppy on a leash. Tell him to sit or lie down. Take a few steps away from him and squat down. Have your puppy's favorite toy with you.
      • Say your puppy's name in an admiring tone of voice. Don't pull on the leash. Show the puppy a toy. Pat your knees. Continue to talk to your puppy in an encouraging voice.
      • When the puppy moves in your direction, give the command “come.” As soon as he approaches you, praise and encourage him.
      • Continue to practice, gradually moving further and further away from the puppy.
      • As soon as the puppy firmly understands the command, try to start calling him to you when he is busy with some kind of game.
    4. Teach your puppy the "place" command. This is one of the most important security commands. The puppy must be able to stay in one place. The “place” command is useful for walks, during street games, meeting other people and dogs, and so on.

      • Place your puppy on a leash. Don't show him the treat this time, but keep it ready to reward your puppy when the time comes.
      • Sit the puppy down. Give the command “place” firmly. Extend your hand directly in front of the puppy, slightly above his head. The hand should be positioned so that the puppy can see it clearly. Until the puppy understands the command, do not remove your hand from it so that he remains focused and understands what is required of him.
      • Very slowly, begin to walk back in small steps while maintaining eye contact with the puppy. If the puppy starts to move, say “ay-ay” loudly and sharply. This will get the puppy's attention and let him know that he has done something wrong. Don't be upset, the puppy just doesn't understand your command yet. Firmly but gently bring him back and sit him down again. The puppy must be exactly in the original place, otherwise he may decide that he is allowed to move forward, even if the “place” command was given. Reissue the command and try it again.
      • If the puppy stays where he is, say “ok” and allow him to get up and come to you. Praise and reward your puppy.
      • Keep practicing the command. When the puppy understands the command, gradually begin to move further away from him and make him wait longer than that moment when he will be allowed to rise.

Most owners of four-legged friends are interested in teaching their pets various tricks. And many of them succeed. What determines success or failure in dog training - is it the dog's breed or the approach the owner uses? In fact, the important ones are various factors, including the actions of the owner.

If a funny toddler comes into the house, the owners do not immediately come to mind with the idea of ​​\u200b\u200braising and training him, but in vain. When can you start this process, and what nuances should you consider?

Most owners make the common mistake of thinking that their dog should have a carefree childhood. They allow the puppy to do whatever he wants for almost six months, without limiting his actions in any way. And then, when the dog is 6 months old, they begin to correct its essentially established behavior.

But with this approach, in almost 100% of cases, owners face a number of problems. First of all, the dog will be surprised by such a change, because he is not used to obeying and following commands. A grown-up animal is more difficult to train, because the pet is already spoiled by attention, carelessness and is not ready to give it up. So, the “the sooner the better” approach is the most rational solution.

Where is the best way to start training a dog?

Education and training are two important processes that occur simultaneously, and in both cases consistency, systematicity and regularity are important. You can’t work hard on the court all week and then stop working out for a month - in in this case Don't expect lasting results.

The owner must establish a number of rules in the very first days and not deviate one step from their implementation. For example, they might look like this:

  • It is forbidden to damage shoes;
  • You can’t sleep on furniture;
  • only special devices are used as toys;
  • It is forbidden to feed the puppy from your table, etc.

Moreover, endurance will be required not only from the pet, but also from the owner and his family members. In honor of the holiday, you can’t let your baby sleep on the sofa and kick him out the next day. It is recommended to start training with simple tasks that can be given at home.

The puppy must learn the commands "", "", "", "", etc. In the future, they will form the basis for more serious training. You should not hope that the baby will immediately successfully complete tasks, even if he belongs to the smartest of the breeds. Well, who doesn’t experience difficulties doing something for the first time? In this case, it is important to be patient and not get angry or scold your pet.

Frequent classes are encouraged, but with mandatory intervals. The puppy should not get tired of training; it is important that he always responds with pleasure to the invitation to both play and learn. You should not forget about encouragement, puppies respond well to affection, good words, and, of course, treats.

Mastering basic skills

Each command is another step in the right direction, giving the dog new knowledge and the owner confidence in his own skills as a trainer. But each of them has its own characteristic features:

  • To me! One of the main required skills, and at first it is best to practice it during walks. When the puppy plays and frolics, it is necessary to periodically call him, and when he responds and approaches, encourage him in every possible way.
  • ! This is the next command in which you cannot use the method of sharply pulling on the leash. Such an action may irritate the pet, but will not force it to obey. In this situation, it is better to make patting movements on the thigh, and also slightly increase the tension of the leash.
  • Sit! The dog must master this command simultaneously with the previous one. When the pet approaches the owner, he should be told “sit!” You can help by gently pressing on the croup. Quite often, puppies do not understand what the owner wants, so it is recommended to pull the leash upward, and then the dog will have to sit down.

These are the basics of learning to start with. When the dog performs them promptly, without being distracted by extraneous stimuli, the tasks can be made more difficult.

Features of training adult dogs

There are often situations when an already adult dog, fully formed in all respects, ends up with the owner. In this case, you can train your pet, but it will require a lot of attention and patience. If we are talking about serious dogs,



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