Training Tips

Tips to help you raise and train your new addition to the family

Now the fun begins, this new fuzzy, joyful little ball of fun will Pee on your floor, chew on your furniture and leave you a surprise when you least except it “no doubt about it.” But this new little ball of fun will love you, lick you and be your best friend for life, that is for sure. I’ve found that cage training is the best way to train a new addition to the family. I have used all of these methods with great success. Whether it be potty training or behavior training these techniques work and you will be successful, as long as you have the right tools and your family are consistent, have a set routine and have the time to properly train your new pup.

It is and always has been my goal to teach our pups training and most important self soothing skills to last a life time. So I have taking what I have learned throughout the years and making it available to other families who are in need of proven techniques that work.

Simple Commands: "Name, Sit, Stay and Come"

One of the easiest ways to train a pup is to first start teaching them their name. You can do this by useing the Simple Commands.  Once they have learned their name training becomes so much easier. At the same time you are teaching them to come, sit, stay as well as other commands. This is also the best time to start getting them to the next step in teaching them about going "outside" to go potty and not on the floor in your home.

Here is what you will need:

* Two or more family members
* Harness with ring in the front or quick release collar
* Lease
* Favorite toy, a Clicker or tiny treats (Cheerio's)

If possible clip the leash on the front of the harness at the chest. If the vest does not have an O ring us a quick release (cat) collar. Each of you sit on opposite side of the room about 4 to 6 feet apart from one another. Get the pups favorite toy and take turns caller their "NAME" and the "COME" command  as you gently tug the leash pulling the pup toward you. The one with the leash in hand than gives the toy as a reward giving plenty of praise using their name. If the toy isn't getting their attention I suggest using a Clicker or the Cheerio's. If using a toy than pass the toy to the person while holding the pup. Than toss the leash to the opposite person to do the same taking turns. Practice this for five to ten minutes a day for the best results. You can than add more commands such as (sit, stay, or leave it). If a toy is not getting her attention you use the tiny treats be sure to use them sparingly so that you dont spoil their dinner. Use the treats every 3rd/4th time your new pup does what is asked of them.

In order to reinforce what they have learned. Continue this training without the leash even after you feel your pups knows their name and will come to you when called.

Cage / Potty training

Cage training has been a constant way of training for myself and my entire
family. It has proven to work time and time again. Cage training when done
right and if you are consistent with it will work for you and your family as
well. Our pups are taught that the cage is their safe haven, a place where they
can lay in comfort and be safe from the traveling foot of a busy home.

Cage trainig isn't for everyone and isn't alway suitable for every situation.
I myself never put our pups in a closed off area such as a bathroom or utility room. The reason being is that it caused stress and the felling of bandonment. This can and usually does cause issues with anxiety later on. A pup with anxiety issues will more that likly caused havoc by damaging the walls, baseboards and anything else in their path because of the stress. A cage is more secure and the safest place for them to be when left alone. I know its hard to hear them cry and carry on but at least you know they are safe.

Here is what you will need:

* Small to medium cage, one that gives pup full view of the family and surroundings. One that is just big enough for pup to stand turn and lay back down. (A medium cage with a divider would work best)

* Toys; something hard and soft.
* Soft bedding ; something that is washable.
* Stuffed animals (prefeably with the scent of the mother & litter mates)
This is something that you will need to plan ahead with the breeder to obtain.

The cage should be used as a safe place for your new pup to go when done playing, tired and when left alone for even the shortest time unsupervised. Get used to putting them in and taking them out of their cage several times in an hour and all day long. If your pup is tired , put them and their cage , but only after they have been taken out to go potty. If left alone while sleeping “they will rise and pee”. You should always take your pup out to go potty before putting them in their cage and the moment they are taken out of their cage. Let them know that it is time to go outside and go potty by saying their “name” and “let’s go outside and go potty” and by saying it often. Do not put them down until you are outside in the area you wish them to go potty or they will pee on your floor. They should be carried outside and taken to the same spot each time. It’s important that you always stay with your pup to encourage them by repeating yourself and to praise them when they have accomplished the deed. Just like you would a young child, This is a must! They need to know why they are there and what is expected of them.

By taking them out to the same spot each time. They will smell their own scent
and eventually know what they are there to do . It is important that you do this
for the first 2-3 month’s. This will take some hard work and some time for them
to know when and where is the right time and place to go potty.

Of course if they are in their cage for long periods of time, they will go potty in their cage. Try to make arrangements for someone to let them out if you are unable to. The object is to avoid any and all accidents, and at the same time give them a clean safe place all their own. Not to let them use their cage as a toirlet. If accidents occur do not scold them, It just means that they couldn’t hold it any longer. Simply clean it up and put clean bedding down for them. You must take them out quite frequently.

In time your pup can be trusted enought to go straight to the door and out the
yard to do their business without making any stops along the way. If you feel they need more time or you live in an apartment building than continue to carry them out doors untill they are old enough to hold it until you reach the potty area. Keep in mind that if your young pup is in their cage for more than 4-5 hrs a day. It is best to carry them out or you will find yourself cleaning up the mess. The older your pup gets the longer they will be able to hold it.

Nights and Nap Time: (cage training)

Cage training is a great way of keeping your new addition safe when you are
away at work or running errands or during the night. It can and most defiantly
be a trying and difficult task to succeed in. Teaching and new pup the skill of
"self-soothing" is one of the most difficult things that you will have to do.
At times it can also be a bit much for a pup to deal with after just been taken
from its mother and litter mates. But with the proper training and consistent
mentoring a pup can and will be able to adapt within a few short weeks.

The question is...Can you handle it ?

For the first year or more our pups have always slept in a cage at night
time, during the day for naps and when we leave for any reason. Not only for
their own safety but to eliminate the chance of any messes at night or in our
absence.

Its important to remember that every single time before putting your pup in their cage be sure to make a last trip out for potty time. Once you have taken the pup out for the last potty trip and have placed them in their cage you you must keep them there until the you return or until they wake up and than right back out to go potty. In my experience with pups the whining will start and than the
the guilt will set in and than out they come, right ? Well by doing this you
are reinforcing a habit that will be harder to break the more you give into it.
Believe me, I know, It's hard to ignore the cries, the whining and the howling
of a pup who seems to be in distress. But this is the only way that they can   show you that they are confused and that they are missing their litter mates.
But, in order to teach them to be "self-soothing", in order to keep your pup
out of harms way and to obtain a well trained pup you must leave them to figure it out on their own. This is where the stuffed animals comes into play.
It will help them find comfort when missing the feel and smell of their mother
and the pile up sleeping arrangement of their litter mates. The stuffed animal
replaces the feeling of security knowing that they are not alone.

Cage Training continues: (Nights and Nap time)

As long as you stick with it and be consistent it will take no time at all
before your new pup will feel comfort in its new surrounding and settle down
for the night/nap. Two out of the four times we have cage trained our four new
pups I find myself moving the cage up to our room and right beside my bed. You will find that some pups are ok with being in the cage and other need a little more attention or calming. This can still be accomplished without taking them out of the cage. You can settle them with a soft spoken but firm "name and "NO" or a "name" and "Hush" to reassure them that they are not alone without taking them out of the cage for a cuddle. I know its hard but in order to have a well adjusted and self soothing pup you mush not give in to their cries.

During the day when there is the need for them to be in their cage, you should keep the cage in an area of the home where the family is most present. This will reassure them and give them the feeling of a comfort level they can be secure with. This will help them feel closer to the family and not so lonely. Again it is hard to hear their cries, but it is necessaryto keep them out of harms way. When they bark or whine you can give a firm, quick correction to hush them or by simply ignoring them will get the best results. This is the best way to teach them to self sooth and get to a calm state of mind.

When Roaming Free:

This should become a common practice for you and your family members during free roaming and play time. This will give your new pup the skills needed to come to you and let you know that it is potty time instead of running off to potty in your home.

First stetp is to call them to you, tell them to sit, than say "lets go outside and go potty". Of course in return you take them outside to go potty. This should become a normal routine for potty time and in no time at all your new pup will be coming to you and begging to go out and go potty. But be sure that unless you wish to be the primary puppy taker outer this practice should be practiced by all of the family members.

Routine / Feeding Schedule

Having a routine and a set feeding schedule is a big part of having a well trained pup. But on the other hand Potty training can be very tricky. Simply because it is very important that you stick to a set feeding schedule during the potty training stage but at the same time you need to feed your pup regularly and on time to help prevent Hypoglycemia.

The problem with this is, that by allowing your pup to free feed during the day while you are away will have a great affect on how fast your pup is potty trained. There is no doubt that you will come home to a mess.

It is simply something that each individual must figure out what is best for their individual situation. If at all possible, I suggest do not free feed. Make arrangements for someone/anyone to come in at a set time each day to tend to the pups needs. Making sure that they too follow the potty training steps so not to confuse the pup.

Paper Training

I prefer news papers over the very popular puppy pads. The best way to use them is to layer them two to three layers. You should have several layers of papers down at all times. When they potty on them you simply remove the top two layers and than place the bottom two layer on top of the new clean papers. Why, Do you ask ?   Well, because their scent is now on those papers and just like when you take them back to the same spot each time outdoors, they smell and then go pee pee.

You will want to keep them close to the same door that is used for potty time or gradually move them closer and closer the door. You will need to keep an eye on your pup and take a hint from their behavior. If they are wondering around the papers/pads or elsewhere with their nose pinned to the ground or that hurry look in their behavior. That is a sure sign that they need to go out and now.  So, off you go to their favorite spot. The goal is to have the paper/pads available for accident but to eliminate the paper/pads all together. Once you feel confidant enough that your pup knows how to signal you that it is potty time you can eliminate the peppers/pads all together. This can take up to 5-6 months or longer of intense training.

Shaker Can (Behavior issues)

II’ve found that a shaker can, can be quite helpful when training a pup. You just shake it to stop them from doing any unwanted deeds, such as getting on the couch, biting or even stop them from peeing on the floor.

Here is what you will need:

* A clean can with lid in place; just open but don’t remove the lid all the way.
* Masking tape; or try to get a plastic dog food lid and find a can that fits.
* Anything that makes noise; coins, pennies, nuts and bolts or marbles.
* Just clean the can , fill with noise makers, fold down the lid, and tape or put    on plastic lid.
* You can also use a large medicine bottle.

The loud noise startles them, but it stops them from doing the unwanted deed. But it will not stop them from trying it again and again. Your pup will be frightened of the noise so be gentle. Just be stern and straight to the point. (Shake can, say “name”& No! ) If your pup is persistent and will not stop, another way to use the shaker can is with a gentle toss or roll (being sure not to hit the pup) toss or roll the can in the direction of the pup. Again this will startle them at first but it will work. This is a very affective way to train your pup and help with potty training as well. It will stop them in the act and give you time to rush them out doors to finish. Soon they will know what they can and cannot do and there will be no need for the can, they will Obey just your voice commands. Again, this also will take time and patience.

Spray Bottle: (Behavior issues)

Another great training tool is a simple spray bottle filled with water. Just fill a spray bottle with water and spreay your pup when they are misbehaving. Be sure to spray, say "name" and "NO" .

Play time (teething)

Be sure to have plenty of hard and soft toys, if they don’t have their own things to chew on they will chew on what ever is available. And that favorite pair of shoes may become their favorite thing to chew on. Pups are like babies, they also have baby teeth that must come out in order to get their adult teeth. In order to do that they must chew, so give them plenty of things to choose from and   watch them closely they will chew on anything. This usually means they are cutting teeth.

Tethering / Leash Training: (Umbilical cord training)

Sometime a new pup just seems untrainable, if this is the case than you may want to try leash training. You will need a leash and preferably a harness. You than tether / tie the leash to your belt loop or use a clip.

Simply put their leash on them while training and showing them their boundaries in your home and outdoors. Keep their leash on at all times while training or just sitting around the house. This gives you complete control. The sooner you start with training your new pup the easier it will be to teach them what they can and can not do. This is also a great way to teach them to stay at your side for those time that you are out in the yard, and avoid them wondering too far away from you and out into the road.

Important Notes:

* A cage is the safest place for your new pup.
* Always use the same door and words for potty time.
* Pups have tiny bladder and should be taken out after just a drink.
* Always take pup out after playtime & then rite to their cage for a nap.
* Always take pup out minutes after every meal.

* Never put food or water in the cage when you are cage training.
* A well placed routine is one of the best training tools.
* Paper training can be used as a back up while potty training.
* Pup should be put in cage when not being supervised and at night time.
* Encouragement and Praise are good things.

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