Basic Training of your Dog

Once the program of vaccination  is completed, the puppy  is ready for the outside world. Before that he can be accustomed to a light collar and lead in the garden  and  learn to walk to heel without  pulling or lagging behind.  In  the beginning the training exercises should be of short duration, partly because the young puppy is unable to concentrate for any length of time, and partly because his bones are not yet fully formed, and the muscles still need toning  up. For most pups  a 1s-zo minute walk is an adventure, perhaps  even a frightening experience,  with  traffic thundering by and  humans  towering  above a small, immature puppy.

The lead represents authority; it should be attached securely to the collar and held in such a manner  that it comes under  the dog's chin; if it loops over the head it will push the nose downwards and frighten  the pup. Check or choke chains are not recommended for basic training  exercises; the pull of the chain can easily frighten  the puppy,  and nasty accidents are known to occur from a loose chain  caught  on an obstruction and strangling the panicky animal.

The first walks should  be short and pleasurable; it is less important that the puppy  walks perfectly at heel than he learns to accept traffic and crowds and comes to associate a walk with a treat. When he is accustomed to collar and lead for the walk, he can be let off the lead in a safe open space, far away from busy roads where traffic bustle will not distract  his attention and where the owner will not have to worry if the puppy  decides to be willful and refuse to return.

The  true turning  point of all obedience  training  is the puppy's response to the command  'Come'. Until  he comes when called no progress can be made with the other basic steps of'Sit', 'Stay', and 'Wait'. The average puppy resents being kept under control; the moment he is let off the lead he feels free and does not easily surrender that freedom. The  best place to commence 'recall' training is in the garden, or in a small fenced area. Avoid places where there is a chance of the puppy escaping on to a road; the owner will panic, raise his voice, and make a mistake through a hasty move. The  puppy,  which senses that the handler has lost his confidence, will take off in fright, and training is automatically set back.

Let the puppy off the lead; do not call him back immediately, but let him run off the first exuberance of freedom. When he slows down and his attention is not distracted, call him by name in a pleasant  but firm voice, and follow the name with the single command 'Come'. Determine from the start the command words to be used for particular actions and stick to them; 'Come' one moment and 'Here' the next only serves to confuse the puppy. Most pups will respond by taking a step or two towards the voice which is when a praising 'Good boy'is in its place to let the puppy know that he has done the right thing so far. At the same time, step away from him, patting one leg to show him where to come, and exaggerate praise for correct and prompt interpretation by the puppy. If, on the other hand, the speed of recall is slow or if the puppy comes half-way and then darts off again, ignore him and walk off, out of sight if possible. The  pup will follow out of curiosity, and if that ruse fails, bend down and  pretend  to find something interesting on the ground. When  the puppy  eventually  arrives do not make the mistake of grabbing him at the collar and securing him with the lead, even if it has taken half an hour to get him within range. Pat him on the head, tell him how well he has behaved, and let him go off again. If every time he returns he is put on the lead, he will soon see the drawbacks to such a deal, and the next day's  exercise will take twice as long.

That first step may take a long time and require a great deal of patience, but once the battle is won, and the puppy  is confident  that it is worth responding, Because of praise or a tidbit, other basic exercises are that much easier. Repeat the recall command  until he obeys unerringly,  before trying it out in an open space. Never scold or punish the puppy if he fails to respond at once, and never let the exercise become so protracted  that he becomes bored. Always finish a training  period  with a game so that  he looks forward  to the next session.