DISCIPLINE AND LOVE

As the puppy’s owner and master you will want to raise that pup to
be the very best that it can be. This can only happen if the pup
RESPECTS you. Respect does not mean that the dog trembles
when you walk into a room. That’s fear. Respect is a deep
admiration for who you are and what you represent in your pup’s
life. When your dog respects you, he looks straight into your eyes
and awaits your next command. He is willing to work or play,
comfort and console when you need him. This type of respect
comes from the early stages of handling him in the areas of love
and discipline.

They must go hand in hand through the early stages of puppy
ownership. It is important to note that too much discipline and
strictness without love will create a fearful dog and perhaps even a
fear biter. On the other hand, too much unearned adoration and
praise from you will cause your pup to grow up thinking only of
himself as king of the house, very selfish and self-centered. This
can happen all too easy if the balance is not maintained. Discipline
is not smacking your pup for something he has done. It means
correcting him in a method as close to nature as possible so that
he understands clearly the errors he’s making. Then bounce back
with love and forgiveness once the pup shows signs of submission
and sorrow due to not pleasing you. Forget the transgression and
carry on.

ACCURATE CORRECTIONS

Various corrections have already been described in the other topics
you have already read. Also, all the obedience corrective methods
are explained in the obedience section of this publication. However
the most important thing to remember about any correction is that
you are direct, assertive, clear and quick to respond. Even seconds
in hesitation to correct will give your pup time to become creative.
This is why timing is so important. Your pup will actually start
to believe that you know when he’s going to do something wrong.
When this starts to happen, your pup will begin to think out his
actions before doing them, appearing to us as understanding
right from wrong.

EARLY OBEDIENCE TRAINING


The methods and exercises you’re learning in this puppy manual
are designed to teach your puppy to respond to your commands,
love, discipline and praise because he respects you, not because
he’s afraid of you or because he thinks he will get goodies if he
pleases you. Do not use food as a reward for an obedience
command, rather use it as a friendship tool especially in an abused
puppy. Obedience training builds a bond between you and your
puppy if mutual respect on both parties is established at an early
age. With young puppies, attention span is very short, therefore,
repetition of an exercise is more important than the length of time
he holds the position.


Once you start obedience training, your puppy may try temper
tantrums to control you and the situation. These come in several
forms ranging from the puppy crying out at the top of his lungs in
protest to your command, to biting the leash, to laying flat on the
floor, refusing to move. These are all temper tantrums and have to
be dealt with as they happen. When they attack their own leash,
give a quick pop on the lead and collar with a stern growly “NO”.
If the pup lays out flat, give a “Let’s Go” command and use the
body language of thumping your thigh or clapping your hands to
get the pup up and moving.

Your puppy is very capable of learning several obedience
commands at a very early age. The earlier you start to structure
their minds the better it is. Don’t think that waiting until the pup
gets older and not as hyper is going to make the job easier. Waiting
allows the pup to decide for itself right from wrong, which usually
means that a pup is totally out of control by the time it reaches 6
months old. The exercises your pup will learn are all meaningful.
There is a logical purpose for every command.