SOFT BUCKLE COLLAR WITH 'D' RING. 6 FOOT LONG LEASH OF NYLON, COTTON, OR LEATHER. JACKET WITH LARGE DEEP POCKETS TO HOLD TREATS. LOTS & LOTS OF PRAISE, LOVE AND PATIENCE!
DO NOT FEED YOUR PUPPY JUST BEFORE OR AFTER CLASS. WEAR LOW RUBBER-SOLED SHOES AND DRESS FOR COMFORT. 'POTTY' YOUR PUP BEFORE TRAINING. USE A SPECIFIC COMMAND. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PUP TO BE AGGRESSIVE. PRAISE FOR CALMNESS. DO NOT COMFORT WHEN BEING AGGRESSIVE. STOP UNCONTROLLED BARKING. DISTRACT HIM BY DOING SOMETHING. PRACTICE DAILY FOR 10-15 MINUTES TWICE A DAY.
At 12 to 16 weeks, serious training should begin. Who is the boss is also decided now. If a pup gets his way, he will be boss from then on, no matter what corrections are applied later in life. Once a pup has passed these ages, you can never go back to correct them. These critical periods are recognized and used by the Seeing Eye Foundation For The Blind's training program. They give us a good guideline to begin work on.
Socialize the pup at 21-28 days inside the litterbox. At 28 days, begin to teach the pup by working with him each day for 5 minutes. Play ball. Call him to you. Position him into sits, downs, stands, stays while you give the commands. Praise him each time you position him and reinforce with a food treat.
SHOW him what you want. Do NOT correct the pup. Just ignore unwanted behavior and praise desired behavior. Begin collar and leashwork at 4 weeks. For the 1st 2 days, have the pup wear only the collar when you spend time together. Do NOT leave the pup unattended with a collar on. The third day, attach the leash and let it drag but do not let it catch on anything except his own feet. On the 5th day, pick up the leash, stand still, letting the pup go to the end and stop. This lets him get used to the feel of the collar and limits of the leash without sudden fighting over who is going where. On the 7th day, begin slowly walking away from the pup while holding the leash. When he is at the far end, coax him to you in any manner required. When he comes near, praise him and try again. If he balks a bit, pull him in just enough to create slack when you let up and coax him in again. If he fights it, making a big fuss, you may be going too quickly for him. So go back to the 5th day step for a couple more days. If he continues fighting each day, you must let him know YOU are the boss - proceed to pull him closer and praise him when he is with you. NEVER bring him to you and correct him. This only teaches him to stay away. On the 14th day of training, you begin going where YOU want to go. Make the pup follow beside you on your left by saying 'HEEL' and coax him to you. Praise him! It is essential to keep the pup happy when he is with you and working. Praise him whether you put him there or he came on his own. Every once in a while give him a treat. Not every time. He will not know when he will get it and will work more eagerly.
When you stop walking, you need to begin teaching him to sit quietly beside you until you decide to do something else. You may use a tidbit held just out of reach of his nose. Say 'SIT' and move the treat over his head and behind him and stop above his rear. He should follow it with his head, sitting back on his rear. When he sits, give the treat. Do not hold it far away from him or he will remain standing or even jump up to reach it. Teaching without the use of the hands touching him, he will learn quicker. You may also use your hands by holding the front steady with your right hand on the collar and pressing the rear down with the left hand. Don't forget to say the command 'SIT'. Praise him. TIP: too much praise will often cause a pup to move from a desired position. Adjust praise level to pups' tolerance.
When finished working, give a release word such as 'OK' and play with him. Always end training on a happy note. Do something he can do, praise and release. While heeling, do different turns, speeds, walk over different surfaces, through gates, doors, stairs, by people, other animals, etc...to accustom the pup to distractions and real life. Be sure to teach the dog to wait for you to proceed through doors, gates, out of cars, into streets etc. Do NOT let him forge through.
