When training your dog at home, there are a few basic rules you should remember.

1. Keep your training sessions short.  Especially for a new puppy.  Their attention span is not like persons.  Puppies are like small children.  They can only focus for a few minutes and after that both of you will become frustrated, because nothing else will be learned.  About 10-15 minutes for a puppy.  A dog that is 9 months to a year or better can hold their attention span for about 20-30 minutes.  So concentrate on one or two commands at the most.
2. You must be in calm, cool and in control.  This is very important or your efforts will fail for both you and your dog.  If you dog senses you are losing patience, with will be difficult to work with.  You need to keep a steady tone of voice, NO YELLING.  You need to control the leach, but do not jerk or choke your dog.  Constant movements, but steady and keep your voice firm, but no need to shout.  You might even want to practice saying the command in a low voice to make sure they are listening.  This is also good training if you choose to teach them hand signals as well.
3. No need to over praise.  You need to re-enforce their actions with a pat on the head and a good boy or girl.  You can give treats at the END of the session, but not every time they do the command correctly.  You need to let them know they have pleased you, but if you give them a treat each time, they will come to expect them after training is complete.
4. Consistency.  If you are training your dog to heal for instance.  Always start off with the same foot.  If you don’t your dog will be confused and will not be able to learn the command and you will both get frustrated.  If you want them to lay down and you start off by saying “down”.  Then you must stick with that command.  Same with any other commands.
5. End the session with an “at a boy/girl”.  If you end on a positive note, your dog will look forward to the sessions.  They only want to please you and if you are mad at them or frustrated when you quit, then when you take them to the same spot for training, that you have been taking them to, they will remember it and training will be more difficult.
6. Do not associate a command with a punishment.  A stern NO is different than a punishment, like a swat on the behind or sending them to their bed/pin.  You need to be stern, if necessary, but if you punish them during training, like jerk on a pinch collar or tell them they are “bad”, they will associate this time together as a bad experience and this will become a dreaded time, instead of a good positive experience.

Training your dog is not for everyone.  Be honest with yourself after the first couple of sessions.  If these basic rules are not something you can stick with, then it is best to take your dog to someone who does this for a living.  That way, you two can remain
”best friends.”

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Favorite Toys

Play time with you and your dog is very important. It not only stimulates them, but you get to reinforce your roll as the leader of the pack. You get to start play-time and you get to end play-time together. Just as human’s need interaction with the people they care about, so does your dog. Try to set up a routine for your dog around the same time each day, so he/she will know they have your undivided attention and you are theirs for the next 30 minutes or so.

There are several different types of toys, so when buying your next toy, think of how you want to interact with him/her. A few long time favorites are the ball, the Frisbee and the tug-of-war rope. Throwing a ball or Frisbee for your dog, not only gives them their daily exercise by running to get it, but it also trains them to bring things to you. These are not only fun, but great training tools. The tug-of-war rope gives both of you a work out. So if that is your goal, this is a great toy.

One of my new favorites are the puzzle or treat toys. You put a treat or some food inside and they have to work to get to that treat. Bite proof high-impact plastic toy provides hours of mental and physical stimulation and exercise. These are great for dogs with separation anxiety. You fill it before you leave and it takes your dogs mind off of the fact that you are gone. It also gives them the exercise they need to keep they jaw and teeth healthy.

Plush toys have become one of the best selling toys. Your dog will love the softness of something to bite down on and the “noise-maker” that is put inside some of them, entices them to toss them in the air and get them again. A great toy for you to toss or for them to play by themselves.

Keep your dogs personality in mind when choosing their next toy. They will love you for it!

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