Training a new puppy

little_miss_muppet_face

Im just looking for some tips / some know how on what other people do when they first get a puppy, whats some essential training tips.. struggling to get my 6.5 month old pup to do as she is told.. i.e, SIT, come in when i call her from the back garden, stay where i ask her to stay.. little but important things, so im going back to basics, walking her on a lead in the garden, putting a lead on her when she is sitting on her bed next to the sofa, and she can only move when i tell her too, putting on her lead when someone comes to door and asking them not to greet her first (she is bad for jumping up at people and she is a big dog)..
anything i am missing, am i being too strict or anything else i should know...

ddebski_us

You need to reward her with something she really wants. Mine will do anything for some cheese.

Be consistent with the training too. Use the same command and hand signal every time and always reward her well. Never tell her off. For instance, when she finally comes in from the garden, don't scold her for not coming straight away, but reward her for coming eventually.

Now, my pup runs in from the garden to the command "sweeties" - she always gets a treat when she comes in.

xDx

little_miss_muppet_face

i have mixed opinions re training a puppy using treats.. are they really necessary ?, is it not possible to train a dog to do as its told without using treats... I am going to try without treats if i can...
but i value everyones opinions.. as i may have it completely wrong..

ddebski_us

little_miss_muppet_face wrote: »

i have mixed opinions re training a puppy using treats.. are they really necessary ?, is it not possible to train a dog to do as its told without using treats... I am going to try without treats if i can...
but i value everyones opinions.. as i may have it completely wrong..

Doesn't have to be treats - could be her favourite toy/game or huge cuddles.



xDx

staffiecat

You don't have to use treats as such. You could use her dry food - instead of feeding her in the bowl, hand feed her and use those times to focus on training. As you give a verbal command give a hand signal too. So for example if i want my girls to Stay i raise my hand. If i want them to Sit, i raise a finger. If i want them to Drop I point to the floor. I use the combination of verbal commands and hand signals all the time.

Patience however is the key!

staffiecat

ddebski_us wrote: »

Now, my pup runs in from the garden to the command "sweeties" - she always gets a treat when she comes in.

xDx

Even my cats coming running to the 'Treats' or 'Dinner' command :D

sarabe

little_miss_muppet_face wrote: »

i have mixed opinions re training a puppy using treats.. are they really necessary ?, is it not possible to train a dog to do as its told without using treats... I am going to try without treats if i can...
but i value everyones opinions.. as i may have it completely wrong..

Practically every trained animal you see in films and on the TV has been trained using food. Dolphins and killer whales at Sea world are trained using food. Zoos use food training to enable them to move animals about safely, do things like take blood and examine them without causing stress (previously they would have been darted).

Dogs need food to live so why not use it as rewards whilst teaching your dog what it is that you require.

You'll find everything you need here http://www.dogstardaily.com/
to understand how dogs learn and how to train your puppy and what's more you and your puppy will start to enjoy the training instead of it being a chore.

OnAndUp

Make sure you make it fun, energetic, excited voice etc. too!

Caroline_a

Have you tried your local Good Citizen Award Dog training club? I found mine really good, made some doggy friends too to walk with so that the dogs have friends to play with. And the dogs learn loads of useful things like not trying to steal your food, barging through doors in front of you and getting on with other dogs!

gratefulforhelp_2

Thanks for the link sarabe.

cjmumto2

Why do you not want to use treats, it is quite an old fashioned view point that a dog must just obey because you are boss and you say so. As mentioned you can give a cuddle or throw a toy. The treats dont need to be used forever but are a great incentive and your dog will love you.