What You Need To Know About Puppy Preschool
It was once believed that no serious training should be undertaken until dogs were at least eight months old. Some trainers wouldn’t consider working with a dog that was less than 12 or 14 months of age. However, the tide began to turn nearly 30 years ago through the research of noted canine behaviorist John Paul Scott. It was found that puppies can learn and can learn well far before the previously recommended ages. In fact, it was discovered that a puppy’s most critical period of imprinting is between 3 and 14 weeks of age. Behaviorists began to realize that this time frame was also the most ideal time to mold a puppy’s personality.
Today, classes for puppies as young as eight and nine weeks of age are appearing around the country and the results have nothing but positive. It is now believed that, in general, a dog will be more adaptable and receptive to advanced schooling when training takes place very early in life. Pups that have had the advantage of “preschool” training are continually proving to be more self-assured and able to meet a dog’s increased social demands without being traumatized. Furthermore, the strange sights, sounds, and the distractions of these early classes are soon taken in stride by the youngsters, and he is able to concentrate on the lessons at hand much more easily.
Preschool lessons are not complicated or intense, but many of them will be important throughout the dog’s entire life. There is no reason why a puppy cannot learn how to walk along nicely on leash when necessary or understand the meaning of the word “no. It doesn’t take a canine wonder to learn simple things like this, and these lessons could easily save your dog’s life.
A thorough understanding of how dogs learn and how they communicate can help you and your pet develop a relationship that far exceeds any that you may have had with dogs in the past. As we have stressed over and over again, no dog, even the most highly trained, will automatically know all the things you. All dogs are born with a clean slate, the writing is put on that slate by experiences and their owners. It is very important that you write exactly what it is you want on that slate.
Importance Of Your Watchful Eye On Your Dog Housetraining
It is important you do not let puppies loose after eating. Young puppies will eliminate almost immediately after eating or drinking. They will also be ready to relieve themselves when they first wake up and after playing. If you keep a watchful on your pup, you will quickly learn when this is about to take place. He usually circles and sniffs the floor just before he relieves himself. Do not give your puppy an opportunity to learn that he can eliminate in the house. Your house training chores will be reduced considerably if you avoid bad habits in the first place. If you seen him exhibiting signs that he needs to go out, pick him up immediately ad take him outside where you want him to go. Praise him when he goes in the correct area so that he knows this is what you want him to do. Also, while on the subject of avoidance – never underestimate its importance on regard to bad habits.
Do not dawdle when you wake up in the morning. Your first priority will be to get your dog outdoors. Just how early this ritual will take place will depend much more on your puppy than on you. If your dog is like the most others, there will be no doubt in your mind when he needs to be let out. You will also very quickly learn to tell the difference between the “this is an emergency” complaint and “I just want out” grumbling. Do not test any dog’s ability to contain himself. His early morning vocal demand to be let our is confirmation that the house training lesson is learned.
Dr. Ian Dunbar, a highly respected canine behaviorist, strongly cautions against allowing puppies to do anything they choose, even in the first few days they spend in their new homes. He believes this permissiveness sets up a pattern for misbehavior. Once a puppy, or dog realizes that he can do something, even if you do not approve of what he has done, you have two jobs to do instead of one: You have to teach the dog that the behavior is unacceptable, and then proceed to teach him the proper way to behave.
Most puppies need to eliminate immediately after eating or drinking.
Understand that a pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age will not be able to contain himself for long periods of time. Puppies of that age must relieve themselves every few hours, except at night. Your schedule must be adjusted accordingly. Also, make sure that both puppies and adults have relieved themselves, both bowel and bladder, the last thing at night before going to bed.
