Obedience
General obedience training is the core to developing a sound and healthy bond between you and your pet. As simple as it sounds, the basic "sit, stay, and come" commands are essential. Training should start as soon as you get your puppy. Even though they have short attention spans, puppies start learning as soon as they are born.
Use methods that rely on positive reinforcement for desired behaviour. Training sessions should be short, daily, and should be reinforced constantly, using food treats or attention as rewards. Start in quieter times with as few distractions as possible. Small pieces of food, used when the puppy is hungry, can prompt the desired action by showing the puppy the reward. Give the command while physically moving the puppy into the appropriate position, then give the reward. By combining the one word command with each action and giving the reward immediately for responding appropriately, the puppy will soon learn the meaning of each command. The command should only be given once, otherwise the puppy will learn that it does not need to respond immediately. Keeping a leash on during training sessions is quite beneficial to help keep the puppy's attention during the session.
These same tasks should be used throughout the day, with everyone in the house participating in every room of the house. Get the puppy to practice throughout the daily routine – sit before feeding, letting in and out of the house, before petting. At this time, the puppy is more likely to want something and will respond quickly to the training.
Training classes are excellent ways to socialize and enforce basic commands, as well as introducing a variety of new people and other animals in a controlled environment. Please contact the clinic to discuss classes available for your puppy.
Crate Training
Due to the highly social attitude of dogs, their need to bond is great. With the busy daily routines of most families though, dogs can develop problems with their need to chew, play and explore while their human family is away. Preventing, or eliminating such unwanted, and often destructive behaviour is necessary. This can be done relatively easily and effectively with crate training. It is certainly not unfair or cruel, and in fact, is often calming for the pet, as it allows them a safe and secure area when humans are not around to observe. To your pet, it is similar to a natural den in the wild.
To properly crate train a pet, the crate must be large enough so that the pet can turn around easily but should not be much larger. A safe treat or toy can be placed in it as well to provide a comfortable environment. The crate is meant to be seen as a safe haven, not a punishment, and can be used when you are home as well as when you are absent. Crate training will also be helpful with house training since most dogs will try not to soil the area where they sleep in. Try to place the crate in an area of a room where the dog would naturally go to relax. Creating a positive environment is the key to effective crate training.
The key to crate training is to introduce the crate to the pet as soon as it is brought home, and allow the dog free access to the crate at any time. Allow the pet to play and to eliminate outside before putting it in the crate, then leave the room. Expect some vocalization when first put in the crate, however do not release the puppy until it is quiet. This will help to reinforce to the pup that quiet behaviour is good and will be rewarded. Repeat the crating and release procedures throughout the day so that the pup will become accustomed to the crate.
For an older pet, the key is to place the crate in an area where the dog usually frequents to eat – place the food and water in the crate with the door open so that the dog must go in to eat. Reward the pet with a favourite treat or chew toy. Once the pet is in the crate, reward for "sit" and "stay", with the door still open. Gradually increase the time of the "stay", then begin to close the dog in the crate through the evening.
If you are having problems crate training your pet, please discuss the best approach with your veterinarian – please contact the clinic to discuss what may work best.