What are some good puppy training tips?

Best advice: Start off right by becoming the dog’s pack leader. Here’s how:

A. Behave like a leader at key points of responsibility within the pack and that makes you the leader.

1. Eat your own meals before you feed your dog. Even if you have to munch on a cracker while he watches, make sure he knows you’re done eating before you allow him to start eating.

2. Make and enforce at least 5 household rules (such as “No begging at the table” and “Stay off the furniture”).

3. Lead the walk, with the dog walking beside you, at heel. Never use a flexi-lead because you can’t control your dog if he is 15-25 feet out in front of you.

4. Exercise the dog by a brisk walk with the dog at heel at least once a day, preferably twice a day. A dog can walk for 5 minutes for each month of his life up to the age of 12 months; after that he can walk as long as you want to walk. Be sure to check the surface on which he’ll be walking - if it is too hot or too cold for you to rest your hand on, it will be too hot or too cold for his feet. You can get booties for him at some of the larger pet stores, or try Paw Wax.

5. Playing with the dog is demonstrating affection for him; it’s a bonding time. Be sure you start the play and you end it.

6. Own and provide all resources like food, treats, bones, and toys. Leave food down only 15 minutes then pick up the bowl. Give toys to dog when you want to play; put toys away when you’re done playing.

7. Ignore the dog for at least 5 minutes when you come home so he will recognize that you are “top dog” in the pack.

8. Greet strangers (guests at home, friends and passersby on the street) first and direct the dog how to react to them.

9. Protect the dog from onrushing, off-leash dogs, dogs who are harassing them, and dogs who challenge them.

10. The dog gets NOTHING (except water and potty breaks) unless he works for it. “Working” means obeying whatever command you offer, such as sit, stay, stand, and down. (This is the essence of the NILIF program.)

11. Never pet the dog or comfort it when it is misbehaving. Never talk in a high squeaky voice to a dog. Dogs don’t understand what it means to have their feelings hurt.

12. Don’t let the dog sleep in your bed until you are sure he sees you as his pack leader; you don’t want him to try to own the bed.

B. There are four “MUST READ” books you can probably get at Amazon.com. They will explain all the rituals listed above.

1. The first is “Be The Pack Leader” by Cesar Millan. Teaches you how to be a pack leader.

2. The second is “The Dog Listener” by Jan Fennell. Teaches you how to get willing cooperation from your dog.

3. The third is “The Art of Raising A Puppy” by the Monks of New Skete. Teaches you how to get a puppy started right as a member of your pack.

4. The fourth and last is “A Member of the Family” by Cesar Millan and Melissa Jo Pelletier. Teaches you how to raise your dog from the moment you get him to the moment he has to leave you.

C. You might consider signing up for “Sessions with Cesar” at http://www.sessionswithcesar.com , where you’ll find video and audio lessons, as well as printable materials to help you learn to be your dog’s pack leader and help you learn to handle specific behavior problems.

Good luck!

Apacapacas

Here’s a good book that you can download for FREE …

http://www.dogstardaily.com-train-aft