Raising a Polite Puppy

Many problem behaviors in dogs are easily preventable in puppyhood with preventive training. Jumping up to greet, bolting out doors, jumping and wiggling when it’s time to go for a walk, grabbing food out of your hand or off the counter can all be prevented by teaching your puppy one simple command - Sit.

Nothing in Life is Free

First teach your puppy to sit when you ask him.  Now you can teach your puppy that “Nothing In Life Is Free”. As the human and your puppy’s owner, you own and control all things that are wonderful in his life. Playing, attention, food, walks, going in and out of the door, going for rides in the car, comfortable sleeping areas - anything and everything your puppy wants comes from you. If your puppy grows up getting most of these things for free, there is no reason for him to respect you or pay attention to you, if he has everything he wants he has no need for you. Not only does this make training difficult, but by allowing your dog so much freedom, he may become pushy or clingy. Teach your puppy that nothing good happens unless he says “Please”, which means he must sit and look at you until you give him permission.  Your puppy should sit before being fed any of his meals.  Hand feed at least one meal a day, broken into portions. Your puppy will have to say “please” for each portion.  

When your puppy wants to be petted, he must sit to be petted each and every time. Never pet your puppy when he jumps up and don’t allow other people to do so. Ignore, rather then push away your puppy when he demands attention by jumping up on you or nudging your hand.  If you allow your puppy on the furniture, teach him to get off when asked. If he wants to lie on the couch or bed with you don’t allow him up until he is invited.  Having your puppy say “please” before going out doors, prevents him from bolting out open doors.

Toys and Raising A Polite Puppy

Provide your puppy with chew toys that he can have free access to (we use and recommend Kong toys). Keep a separate set of toys put away for interactive play between you and your puppy. These are toys you and your puppy can play with together, such as balls and tug toys. Despite what you may have heard, playing Tug Of War with your puppy can actually help teach him good manners, providing some simple rules are followed.

First, your puppy should be taught to let go on command. Teaching your dog to let go when you ask him gives you control over the game by being able to end it when you want. Second, your puppy must say “please” by sitting to start the game. Both of these things allow you, not your dog, to control the game. Third, you must have no tolerance for accidents. When taking the tug toy or adjusting their grip, dogs will sometimes make contact with your body by mistake. Don’t let this go unnoticed. Even if it did not hurt, say “ouch!” and abruptly end the game, ignoring your puppy. This reminds puppies that human skin is sensitive and they must remember this even when they are excited by a game.

Dogs Do What Works

Remember when raising your puppy, do not allow behaviors that you won’t want your adult dog to do. The more frequently your puppy gets to do an undesirable behavior the better he learns it. Find out what is rewarding him for the behavior you don’t like and remove it. Don’t let your puppy practice bad behaviors!