On serious reflection I understand the gaps in my training.  Aided by the generous  help and support of  more seasoned competitors . I am working to right the wrong by going back to the basics and retraining the exercise from the start. By making our training fun I am working on restoring her confidence so that she believes in herself and enjoys her training.

As dog owners it is our responsibility to be aware of our own mistakes and make good so that our dogs know that we are patient trustworthy and fun to be with. As another great trainer said to me. ‘When the dog does not understand you must show them show them and show them’

Dogs are very forgiving of our mistakes but we must own up to them first.

Nero

A four week puppy course has just started at The Canine College. The aim of the course is to put the pup and their owner on the right road to good behaviour with the aim of preventing problems developing. Although even at 12 weeks old some of the pups already have their owners wrapped around their perfect paws.

It is very hard to resist puppy cuteness. I know and understand. Although it is unfair on the pup if they are allowed to do things now that they may not be allowed do when they are bigger more confident adults.

Two owners asked me how to stop the nipping? Where is the dog when the nipping starts I asked. Answer ON THE COUCH….OUCH. My answer was that the pup should not be allowed on the couch at such a young age as this is a privilege that should be earned. If pups are allowed on the couch they will see it as their bed and resent being disturbed by you when you want to cuddle your pup. ‘ Let sleeping dogs lie ‘

The pup should have its own soft bed on the floor and only allowed on your lap on the couch if at all. You can then give it some cuddles and return it to its bed with a signal telling the dog that the social interaction is over much the same as you would say good-bye before ending a telephone call.

This is very important if your pup lives with children in the household. It must not be given the same area as the children as it may well snap at the children when they disturb it!

‘Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’ Please please do not walk your dogs while the temperatures are high. Dogs can die very quickly of heat stroke which is indicated by a change in breathing or panting…..the dog is unable to pant fast enough to cool itself down when battling against external heat. The brain looses oxygen and so suffers a stroke. This is especially important to those breeds whose breathing is already severely compromised with compressed noses and shortened mouths such as Pugs, Cavaliers, British Bull dogs Pekineses etc.  If you must take them out bring them swimming…..be warned.

The best time to train any dog is when it is small and dependent and most likely to want to please you. As it grows it will become more independent and develop selective hearing. Although sometimes this is a survival response to being nagged!

When house training a pup to toilet in the garden it is important that you allow it to relieve itself near the house in the early days as it needs the safety and security of the house before it will venture down the garden. When it does you need to escort it on a long lead or line and show it where you would like it to relieve itself.  If necessary putting a border around the area to contain the dog. Or blocking access to other areas.

In order to train a dog how to behave anywhere you have to be with it; do not leave the puppy in the garden unsupervised. If it must be left outside unsupervised build or purchase a dog run. (lots of companies on line).

Before you are allow your dog to enjoy your garden with you exercise it by walking it, playing with it or even better train it. Then give it something give it something to chew or occupy itself like a rolling ball that the dog has to engage with to get the food out, stuffed kongs with mince or cheese pate, which can also be frozen, great for the impending summer. Or a large raw knuckle bone for the dog to gnaw on. Do not allow the dog to bury the bone. Remove it once the dog has moved away from it.  It can be dangerous to give a dog cooked bones as this makes them too brittle to be safely ingested. Slug pellets and Cocoa based mulch are toxic to dogs. However Lung worm which is carried by slugs can be fatal, especially to puppies.

Warning : Do not allow a  young dog to witness you digging or planting: dogs are incredibly curious and will smell your scent in the soil and dig up what you have ‘buried’ ‘If you have a terrier you will have a digger. I believe that for every normal dog behaviour that is discouraged with a firm ‘No’ command. There must be an alternative  ‘yes’ such as providing an alternative digging area. A child’s sandpit is ideal as it is contained.  Bury some treats and allow the dog only to dig in this area. If he digs in your area correct him and bring him to his area.If you do not want a dog to engage in normal doggy destructive  behaviours, you must either take preventative measure such as barricading areas, containing the dog in a run or providing a suitable alternative occupation.

There is absolutely no benefit to the learning process by scolding the dog after the event. This will create confusion and destroy a dogs trust. Consequently like a teenager it will stop listening altogether and do its own thing without any understanding  of your unpredictable rules.You have to actively teach the dog some garden manners and the most effective words are No and Good. So if you correct the dog and he stops and listens, You must reward and  praise lavishly and provide an alternative outlet.  The most effective tool is prevention.