Dog Training In Preschool: Building A Strong Foundation
Put in mind that a puppy, that is about 10 week old should not be expected to act in response to a command like a pro. A puppy has the ability to learn upon completion of the seventh week of his life. Since that ability is there, it is necessary that all he learns are positive.
It is not on how poor he perform, but on how many learning he gain, because all the things he learn will serves as his foundation for future training. A child is playing using a building blocks to build a house – one block at a time – until, finally, one block causes the house to fall. The next attempt at building that block house will have an outcome that has much firmer foundation than that of the preceding house.
Each time a puppy is taught a new word – and given no opportunity to respond in any other manner except the correct one for that word – another foundation block is being added. As the puppy’s mind develops, the chance to disobey can be bring in; correction for that behavior of disobeying will put the pillars into its position, thus providing a solid foundation for the dog’s future behavior.
On the 11th to 12th week of your puppy’s preschool, you will see the result of training, and it should start with you controlling the direction of the daily walks you do with your dog. It is at this point that you will – for the first time – exert your direct influence regarding walking with the puppy. Up to this point, he doesn’t have yet any absolute control placed over him, with the exception of your command “come” (wherein you gently pulled him to you and rewarded him with a tidbit treat).
Because the puppy has not had absolute control placed over him during his daily walks, you may encounter some signs of behavior or a temper tantrum when you decide to go in a direction that the puppy just doesn’t want to head towards. If he balks, backs up, or acts like a wild bull on the rodeo grounds, just stand calmly, holding firm to the leash, and let him get it out of his system.
It is just something that you don’t have to give a big deal out of it. Simply let him throw his tantrum – except, do not give in and go in the direction that he wants to go. He’ll tire from his own antics in a very short period of time, especially when he sees that such actions gets him nowhere.
When he is finally relax, speak to him confidently and lovingly. Make him think that the whole thing is going to be okay and that you’ve got things under control. Perform a few “come” maneuvers as explained in previous tips on preschool of puppy and be sure to follow them with the treat reward. Up to now, the command “come” continually ends with something pleasant, and you’ll be the recipient of benefits of this later on in your dog’s training.