Behavior Training - How To Change Your Puppy's Shy, Timid Behavior

Are you the proud owner of an extremely shy puppy? This fear-based behavioral characteristic is very common if you have a toy dog breed. However, it's a known fact that every litter will have a least one shy puppy that will need to be treated a little differently than the rest of the pups.

When these shy puppies grow up they can become extremely needy and look towards their owners for reinforcement in almost every situation they come across. And unfortunately, while this need to "run to mommy or daddy" every time she gets scared, your dog may start to initiate aggression if she is not getting the soothing attention needed. This could be labeled as aggression induced by fear.

Ironically enough, if you constantly caress and soothe your puppy when she demonstrates extreme shyness and becomes frightened, you are only reinforcing the behavior. I realize that it's hard to imagine ignoring your shy and scared puppy when she needs you, but if you would like to change her behavior and help the dog become a bold and social animal, you are going to have to quit letting her know that it is "okay" to be afraid.

Helping Your Shy Puppy Change

If your dog is showing signs of fear and timidness early on, then you will have to be patient when desiring to help her adjust. You must coax the dog along to realizing that you will not be her protector anymore. Behaviors that she is used to doing when getting scared will need to be stopped, such as barking while hiding behind your legs when startled, darting away whenever seeing a normal part of the outside, like a person walking or a bush swaying by the wind, etc.

Here are some tips that you can use to help your puppy become less shy:

1. Explain to your family and friends to ignore your puppy's fear-induced barking or crying whenever they approach. Up to this point your dog has acted out of fear whenever someone approaches and when these people naturally stop the approach, your dog has learned that this behavior works in her favor. However, from now on your dog will start to understand that fear-induced barking will not work anymore so long as your friends and family respect your training wishes.

2. Whenever you are expecting guests to arrive at the house, be sure to keep your puppy secured by a lead. Take her with you as you approach the guests if you can allow the dog to be with you all times. The difference from now on is that when she starts crying, barking, or hiding behind your legs, you will now act in a confident matter and without petting or soothing her. This will help your dog become more brave while teaching her that her old behavior will not work anymore.

Are Puppy Kindergarten Classes Necessary? You Be The Judge (Part 1)

It's time you make the right decision and enroll your pup into puppy school. Take the following example from a friend of mine, Jim Bonza:

"Just before my neighbor's 100-pound, 9-month-old chocolate Labrador Retriever was about the be thrown away to the nearest animal shelter for doing what comes natural - jumping up on everyone, running away every chance he could, and barking non-stop at anyone or anything - I was able to save the dog by taking him in myself," Jim says.

"He's had no training; he chews everything in sight and isn't housetrained. His owners had no idea how to train or control the dog, so they gave up on him."

This big puppy is the perfect example of why puppy classes are so important. Give your dog a head start in life by enrolling in puppy kindergarten classes. You don't want him growing up and getting bigger, only to cause too much trouble for the family that he will need to be given up. Finding a new home for those types of untrained adult dogs is extremely difficult.

The Importance Of Puppy School

Early training for puppies can be compared to preschool or kindergarten for young children. The information being taught is vitally important for their future, yet the teaching process is designed for young minds with short attention spans.

In addition, in these classes young puppies and young children learn how to get along with each other. They learn to hold still when the teacher is talking, and how to play without hurting each other - all very important lessons.

Puppy class has so many benefits - so much so that many breeders require their new puppy buyers to attend these classes; some actually put that requirement into the sales contract. I've personally seen the success that puppy schools have; owners are happier because they learn how to communicate with their puppies and how to use their training.

Mario Lopez, a breeder from San Antonio, Texas, says this about his customers: "When I'm screening potential puppy buyers, I ask up front if they have the time to train and can promise to take the puppy through kindergarten (and adult) classes."

Mario goes on to say, "Taking a puppy to class helps establish a rapport between puppy and owner. Going to a class gives you a special time to focus on your puppy without distractions at home."

The education provided in a puppy class isn't just for the puppies, though. It's important that puppy owners learn what to do and how to do it with their puppies. They need to learn how to turn their puppies into good companions at home.

Dog Training: The Right Type Of Communication Needed For Dog Training Success

The most crucial factor that can spell the difference between success and failure in training your dog is attitude - both yours and your dog's. While your family dog may have some pretty serious difficulties, your dog's right attitude toward training will help overcome even his most intolerable behavior. However, control of your dog's attitude rests entirely with you!

You need to mold your dog into the family member you want him to be - where obedience and instant response will allow a relationship for you and your pet that is free from stress and frustration.

This article will deal only with training dogs between six months of age and older. There is a difference in training techniques when teaching a dog below the age of six months, and that age group will require methods specifically intended for puppies.

Teaching a six-month-old dog with kindergarten methods would be an insult to his intelligence, much like a college student would be offended if his instructor talked to him using child-like teaching techniques. Similarly, a six-year-old child would achieve nothing sitting in a classroom listening to a professor explaining the theory of relativity.

Setting Positive Attitudes While Training Your Dog

If your dog's training periods each day consist of nothing but commands, I can assure you that a negative attitude will develop from your pet. His daily routine is now being changed to include training sessions. It is up to you, his owner, to make these training periods something that your dog will enthusiastically look forward to.

You can achieve this simply by communicating verbally with the dog during training periods. Here lies another key that will spell the difference between mediocre and excellent performance from your dog. By communicating verbally doesn't mean the usual "Heel" and "Sit" commands. Literally talk to your dog. Say something like "Good Boy.. You're doing a great job Come on boy, you can do itetc."

Although your dog has no idea what you are saying, two things are actually taking place while you're talking to him. First, your enthusiastic and warm tone of voice reflects your positive attitude and motivates your dog into doing a great job in order to please you.

Second, this motivation then triggers a positive attitude in your dog. Commands, on the other hand, should be given in a completely different tone of voice. They should, in fact, sound like commands, and not requests. They are then followed by enthusiastic and loving praise as soon as the dog follows the command or when shown what his correct response should have been.

Keep in mind that the most important key to the success of your dog's training is communication. Talk to him, reflect your positive attitude in the tone of your voice and your dog will reflect his positive attitude in the excited way he welcomes each day's training session.

Owning a dog that can carry out antics and is very docile and well trained is a pleasure and delight of every dog owner. Owning a dog that in reality pays attention, hangs on to each word and abides by its master would surely be appreciated and awarded. This would firmly strengthen the bond. What's more, a dog well trained knows the way to "socialize" properly with people and other dogs.

Dogs are one of the most cherished pets in every part of the world. They are well received in more homes than any other domestic animal ever. Though they are in general affectionate, devoted and faithful, they can be taught to be more compliant. A well trained and well behaved dog is more cherished in any family and is shown more affection and consideration. The times you spent with each other performing antics and teaching equals to a connection that grows deeper each day.
You will definitely feel secure in taking your dog just about anyplace, to the park, vacations, beach, if you know that they will be conducting properly.

Getting to Know How your Dog Feels

Though animals are not thought to be as refined mentally as humans are, people can make the change. Dog training permits us to comprehend how the dog experiences and behaves.

Dogs are group animals, they fit in to groups and require a head, and we will be their person in charge. In dog training we will gain knowledge of how to behave like their head and tell them what to do. When we have set up our role as their "pack leader", the admiration and faithfulness follows next.

But apart from that, our dog is a member of our family, as each member of the family has their part to play, so does the dog. A dog training sitting would let your dog be aware of his or her part and tasks. In getting to know this, every one would be happy to co-exist with one another furnishing a good atmosphere and a strong joyful bond.

When you are away from home with your dog and taking an outside potty break, keep him leashed any time he needs to potty near traffic or in unfenced areas. Some dogs like privacy, though, and are hesitant to eliminate if someone is standing near them.

Getting Your Dog Used To Pottying On-Leash

Home is the easiest place to start teaching your dog how to potty while being leashed. Home is usually where dogs feel most comfortable doing their business, so teach on-leash elimination there first.

Leash your dog when it's potty time, and take him to the area you want him to use for elimination. A 6-footer or retractable leash is best, as it allows you to stand a short distance away from your dog. Give the leash enough slack so that your dog doesn't feel pressure on his collar. This way, he won't feel crowded or restricted, and will be able to relax and relieve himself.

In a calm, friendly voice, say your dog's potty cue (a word that you command to remind him that it's potty time, such as "Go Potty"). Then, just wait while he sniffs around and picks the perfect spot. When he goes, praise him quietly and warmly, saying the potty cue as part of the praise phrase.

After your dog is comfortable eliminating at home while you hold his leash, take the show on the road. Start with on-leash walks that begin from home. Walk around your neighborhood or go to a dog-friendly park. This will let your dog smell where other dogs have been and will be a good way to introduce him to pottying when and where you suggest.

Potty In Public

Most adult dogs or older pups will eliminate wherever they smell other dogs' pee or poop. Some dogs, however, actually try to avoid relieving themselves where they smell the scent of dogs they don't know. This happens mainly with pups younger than 4 months old and dogs that are fearful or submissive around other dogs. These dogs don't feel safe or comfortable eliminating where strange dogs have marked.

Staking claims on territory by marking the perimeters and prominent landscape features with urine and feces is a natural, instinctive canine behavior. In canine society, dog's don't urinate over another dog's mark unless they consider themselves of equal or greater rank.

In nature, it's dangerous for a pup to wander far enough from the den to smell urine marks left by unknown dogs. A pup away from his home territory knowns he's out of his element and isn't inclined to leave his scent where strange dogs will find it. Instinct apparently tells pups it's safe to dot hat, because a puppy's urine scent will let other animals know that he's young and vulnerable.

When it comes to obedience training, there should be no "half-way action" accepted. In other words, it's all or nothing from your dog. And a crooked sit must be considered as something less than your dog giving his full potential.

Not only does it look shabby, but it also prevents the dog from accomplishing his full measure of discipline and character. You can prevent your dog from developing the bad habit of crooked sits simply by using your free left hand while heeling.

As you prepare to stop during a walk, make sure that your left hand is in a position to place on the dog's rear in such a way as to prevent him from moving around in front of you after you have come to a complete stop. If your dog succeeds in sitting in a crooked way, hold back the praise until you have straightened his sit. As your left hand drops to his rear, keep your left thumb pointing toward your left leg. This will ensure that you do not accidentally place your dog in a crooked sit.

You do not have to push down heavily on your dog's rear. You need to simply press lightly to help guide him into the proper sit position. It is more the right hand pulling the leash upward than the amount of pressure on the dog's rear that will place him easily and quickly in the proper sitting position. Putting heavy pressure on your dog's rear may stimulate him to resist, which is an unwanted action.

In these learning steps, the less resistance you have, the better off it will be, both for you and your dog. Also keep in mind the importance of a positive attitude.

Recap Of The First 10 Days Of Correct Heel Training

Your first ten days of obedience training should consist of proper leash introduction, getting your dog to walk confidently and happy. This is achieved without lagging or straining as he walks at your left side in the response to the command "Heel." The first ten days of obedience training also consists of the introduction of the command "Sit" in which you place the dog in the sitting position each time you stop.

Once you are confident about placing your dog in the sitting position, which took one full week, you are now ready to bring your dog to a higher level of discipline, intelligence, and response.

You must decide to never place your pet in the sitting position again. You have spent one full week showing him exactly what sit means, and it only takes four days for the average house dog to learn the average thing. Now, it's time to show your dog that he must do it for himself and that you will not be leading him by the hand all of the time.

Because all of your puppy's formal obedience training will be accomplished with the assistance of a leash and a training collar, his pre-school training should include familiarization with similar paraphernalia. Initially, the puppy should be fitted with a comfortable leather or nylon collar.

Care must be taken that the collar is not affixed either too tightly or too loosely. The puppy will immediately make attempts to shed himself of this new "thing." A loose-fitting collar would allow the puppy to slip his lower jaw underneath the collar. In this predicament, he could easily panic; or, even if he remained calm, he could chew the collar in two.

By the end of his first day of wearing the collar, he will have adjusted to the device and it will no longer attract his attention. You can then attach a light leash to the collar and allow him to drag the leash periodically during the day - indoors and under your supervision. By exposing the puppy to a leash and collar in this systematic way, no traumatic experiences will be allowed to develop.

You must always bear in mind that you are working with the mind of a living creature. You are molding it much like a potter molds what is to become his creation from clay. You must always exercise care and loving understanding. To abruptly affix a slip-chain training collar and leather leash to an eight-week-old puppy cannot possibly accomplish anything, except to create a very negative experience. Negative experiences are the instruments from which trauma develops.

Let Your Puppy Walk

When your puppy is accustomed to wearing the collar and has had the pleasure of romping around the house with the leash attached, carry him outdoors, a few hundred feet or so away from the house. With the leash attached, set the puppy down.

Let him walk you wherever he wants to go (within the bounds of safety, of course). Let him explore for ten or fifteen minutes while you follow him holding the other end of the leash. When the time is up, pick him up in your arms, take him back to the house and remove the leash. Chances are he will have walked you back in that direction anyway, since a puppy's instinct directs him back to the "nest."

Never Drag Your Puppy

Notice that at no time since the introduction of the collar and leash has anything been said about dragging the puppy. Although the puppy was allowed to drag the leash for a day or two, it must be pointed out and emphasized that he should not be dragged by the leash.

After three or four excursions in which the puppy is taken away from the house - with the leash affixed and the puppy allowed to walk at his discretion (with you holding the end of the leash) - he should be ready to walk away from the house.

Still, the leash should not be used as an instrument to drag the puppy. Let the pup do the walking; you hold onto the other end of the leash. By the end of the first week of his association with his new equipment, he will then begin to make the association of the new leash with control.

These daily outings on the leash must be considered as part of your puppy's preschool training. Human contact and socialization in the outside world is a very important part of this training - and a key to the puppy's future mental and emotional development. He'll see big trees, hear noises from power motors and passing automobiles, and be admired by an occasional passerby. The benefits produced by proper socialization at this time can never be duplicated later in life.

Does it require college courses or on the job training apprenticeships?

Crates are an essential housetraining item that most puppy owners find incredibly practical if used correctly.

A crate is not a prison or a cage. Rather, it is a comfy den, and no dog wants to poop in his comfy den. That's what makes the crate such a good investment: You are using the dog's own natural instincts to help him understand where you want him to do his important business.

Crates work well because a dog or puppy does not want to soil his bed or immediate area, so providing that you don't leave your dog crated for unreasonable periods, you can use a crate to educate your puppy to wait until you take him outside.

To be effective, the bottom of the crate should be covered in bedding, otherwise the puppy will assume that anywhere other than the bed is OK to use as a potty, and that habit can be a hard one to break.

The size of the crate is critical to its effectiveness. You'd think that your pup would want a nice, big crate, but in actuality, the den should be small and cozy.

In the beginning stages of housetraining, the crate needs to be only large enough for your dog to lie down and turn around comfortably. Too large, and your pup may use a corner to relieve himself. Plastic-style crates are usually a better choice because they have more of a den-like feel for your dog.

The best option that as worked for my personal use with my puppies are of two varieties: the metal folding crate and the plastic airline type that bolts together in two halves with a metal door.

Some dogs don't like the close-in plastic type because they can be dark and not as inviting as the more open, wire type. The advantages of the folding crates are that they work well for transporting your dog in a vehicle or for taking your dog on vacation, plus they fold flat for storage.

When Choosing The Right Crate:

1) Choose one just large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around.

2) If you have a large-breed pup, buy a crate with a divider to make the crate bigger as he grows, otherwise you'll have to buy several crates as time goes on.

3) If your dcor is a concern, there are many attractive crates available, including rattan, wooden and doghouse-style crates.

4) Soft-sided crates aren't ideal for housetraining because they are more difficult to clean and the smells of potty accidents can linger, causing your pup to want to eliminate there again.

5) Some folding crates come with handles or nylon bags, making travel a breeze.

6) If you're going to move the crate around a lot, get one with wheels. Wheeled crates are also great for travel.