TRAINING

Initial Home Training & Manners

Training is started as soon as a puppy is born. You may not realize it, but puppies are learning how to interact with their environment and other animals as soon as they exit the womb. Early home training is essential and should begin as soon as you bring a new puppy into your house. Your puppy’s lifelong learning habits and obedient attitude are being developed in your home when your puppy is young. Basic home manners should include the rules of your house, being polite to strangers, and getting handled/groomed. Early socialization to new places, environments, animals, sounds, sights, textures, people, and smells is a necessity.

Consider following the American Kennel Club’s Virtual Home Manners Checklist:

1.       Allows Owner to Pet and Groom
(brush head/chin, shoulders, back, chest, belly, check ears and feet)

2.       Sit on Command

3.       Down on Command

4.       Comes when Called Indoors
(from 10-20ft away or another room)

5.       Manners Related to Food
(waits to eat food until given the ok and/or goes to place when owner is eating)

6.       Doorbell/Knock at Door
(behaves appropriately, does not bark, goes to place/stays when door is answered)

7.       Got to Place/Crate
(stays for 1 minute until released)

8.       Demonstrates Relationship
(plays indoors with family member/owner)

9.       Out for a Walk
(calmly leashes and exits door, walk on loose leash)

10.   Exercise Outside
(fetch/catch, etc.)