Puppy rules in my house to get the ideal family dog for our family. These rules are set in stone on day 1.
No furniture privileges. This includes no couches, no beds, no chairs. My family has their area and the puppy has her own area to relax. I'm creating healthy boundaries.
No paws on cabinets, kitchen chairs, doors, or pawing up on other items. I'm breaking bad behaviors before they turn into habits.
Must sit to be petted. I'm teaching good manners.
No rough play in the house. That is for outside only. I'm teaching calm house manners.
Puppy must be in sight at all times. If not, puppy is too far away and needs to be 1) put on a leash or 2) crated. Puppies get into trouble easy just like toddlers and can even secretly potty. Tethering pups helps reduce messes in the house and correct unwanted behaviors.
No barking, growling, or chasing the cats, even if it is play. I will correct one time and if the behaviors continues the puppy gets crated for a time out. I am correcting unwanted behaviors and teaching the puppy when I say no, I mean it. There are no multiple chances.
Puppy must sit and wait for 2 seconds before being fed. I'm teaching impulse control.
When I say "here" puppy must come. If not, guess what, the leash is attached so a "chase game" doesn't start.
Whining and crying in a crate will not get the puppy out of a crate. I expect silence then the puppy can come out.
No unnecessary barking or barking at people after an alert bark. Behavior will end up being put in a time out until calm behavior is shown.
No begging or stealing food, even if a child is on the floor eating a snack. Leave it and no commands are used. Continued behavior will result in a time out. I'm teaching manners, boundaries, and correcting unwanted behaviors.
Puppy is to ride in person's lap in the car only when staying in town. When we have to go outside of town puppy must ride in the crate.
Even though someone is home all day most days, puppy is still crated during school or work hours. This teaches the puppy that it is okay to be alone. The puppy doesn't need constant human presence.
Herding behaviors are corrected the moment the appear. I'm correcting unwanted behaviors.
If over excitable behaviors are shown with visitors then the puppy is put on a leash for better control. If the puppy still cannot control herself shortly after being put on the leash then she is put in the crate for a time out. I'm teaching manners and correcting unwanted behaviors.
Puppy has her own bedtime, even if we stay up late. I'm creating a routine for successful crate training and potty training.
Biting and mouthing are corrected immediately. It is not funny or cute. I close the puppy's mouth and say no in a firm, stern tone. If behavior continues a time out is given. I am teaching puppy manners, correcting unwanted behaviors, and communicating that no mouthing, even softly isn't accepted. I have used this method since having kids and it breaks nipping the fastest. We have had Sadie for a week and already her nipping is gone. With my GSD puppies I can break nipping in usually 3 weeks with this method.
Even though a puppy is cute and some behaviors seem harmless at the moment just remember puppyies get bigger. Some puppies get really big. Sadie will only get 20-30 pounds, but I still do not want a dog jumping on us or visitors, barking for no reason, pawing up on furniture, or bouncing on the couch. Couch privileges and barking are probably my top behaviors that drive me nuts. I honestly don't care if a dog lays on the couch, but what I have a problem with is no personal space and no respect. If I can't sit without being stepped on, sniffed in my face, or even stepped on while being on the couch that is a huge red flag. My favorite is seeing large breeds jump from couch to couch or fly off the back of the couch. So many people think it's funny. I don't see how they deal with it. Remember, it is YOUR house, not a dog house. Train your dog live in a human house and you not live in the dog house. A dog will act like a dog, because it is a dog. It is up to its human to teach it right from wrong in our world. Rules, boundaries, and clear communication are your best friends. A trainer can't do that for you, you have to.
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