Puppy Training is initially about two things: “learning manners” and “learning manners”. The first set refers to what we as humans require of a dog to fit in with our day to day lives. The second set is what is required of a dog to get along with other dogs. At times these overlap a bit, and we have to make use of dog methods to attain human goals – a good example of this is teaching a puppy about biting. We teach you how to deal with it. Added to these two aspects, we introduce the puppies to a variety of agility exercises. These are really important for their physical development and are also great confidence builders.
So what are “human manners” about? Well, it’s quite simple: learning how to sit, lie down, stay when and where instructed, walk on a leash, come when called, and a few others. Of course we don’t teach your puppy: we teach you how to teach your puppy. We provide an environment, and a challenging one at that, in which to practice and start putting context to the skills your puppy is acquiring. When you struggle with something, we are there to assist and guide. We help you integrate your puppy into human society by exposing it to a variety of unfamiliar objects and circumstances. The puppy learns to deal with strange environments with your help and under our guidance. Beyond the basic skills, we deal with the many challenges new puppy owners face during the first few months with their new family members.
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Well, don't be fooled, before you know what hit you, it will be a big dog and and it won't listen to a word you say or yell!
Properly trained, your dog will make you proud every time you take him or her out the front door!
If you read this and your dog is already a bit older, or even much older, don't despair. One can teach an old dog new tricks. It may take a little longer, but it can most certainly be done!
Puppies from the age of 7 or 8 weeks and after their first inoculation should start socialising with other dogs and humans in order to develop a socially acceptable temperament. The first couple of months of a puppy's life determines who and what your dog is going to be. Socialisation not only helps your puppy to be comfortable around people and dogs of all ages, but also teaches him/her the 'rules' of interaction with other dogs. This is a vital part of preventing later problems, such as aggression, timidness, or excessive dominance.
Puppies come to the academy and play with animals of a similar age as well as their owners... basically a play group for dogs!
Once our puppies (and their handlers) have learned to behave around each other in a sociable manner, they then learn basic obedience. Manderston’s puppy training methods are interactive and enjoyable to dog and handler.
Dealing with your puppy's scary moments and frights
Since we are often present in these situations, our responses to these situations or incidents can have a profound effect on how the puppy interprets and processes them as reference for similar future situations. If we respond with sympathy and comfort the puppy, we reinforce the "terrible nature" of the experience and the puppy learns that it is to be avoided at all cost. The result may be that your dog develops phobias and may refuse certain instructions under certain circumstances, which can make your dog unpredictable. The best way to handle a fright or scary situation is to let the puppy deal with it. If there was a possibility of injury, give it a quick once-over and then let it go on its way. This way it learns that it's part of life and nothing to worry about. It builds confidence and will eventually contribute to a stable, unshakable character. |
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Many a puppy owner has had to endure the torment of being chewed on with those razor sharp teeth. Of course one of the first questions that come up, is: "How do I stop it?" The answer lies in the developmental psychology of the puppy. Simply discouraging biting can be detrimental to the dog and those around it later on in its life.
Puppy biting forms an integral part of play amongst siblings and in a pack setting, and it is perpetuated in a mature form during play throughout the dog's adult life. In the absence of siblings and a pack, the human owner becomes the often reluctant surrogate playmate.
The purpose of play biting (and the razor sharp teeth play an especially important role here) is to establish what is called bite inhibition, or from the puppy's perspective: How hard can I bite before I hurt my playmate? The answer to this question lies in the feedback the pup gets from each bite. The lessons learnt here will later impact any situation where the dog feels a bite is called for.
We as human surrogates thus need to engage in this activity, knowing that we are fulfilling a vital part in the puppy's development. In fact, it is important even if the pup has other canine playmates, because the puppy needs to learn bite inhibition towards humans as well as other dogs.
To read the full article and learn how to give your puppy the correct feedback, visit our Forum by clicking Here.
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