It’s A Dog’s Life—

Tips On Training

By Mary Jane Anderson

Q: When should one begin training a puppy the basic commands?

A: The best age to start training a puppy is as early as possible — between 7 and 16 weeks old. The importance of socializing a puppy with people and other dogs cannot be emphasized enough. This is the time to begin to teach a puppy its name and simple commands, such as No, Come, Sit, Down, and Good. The training is done in the spirit of fun — a happy tone of voice, gentle handling, and patience. Any owner putting a collar and leash on a puppy for the first time cannot expect the puppy to walk as Suzie, their previous dog, a veteran of good behavior. Unrealistic expectations of a puppy can establish a bad foundation for handling future dog problems. Early fundamental training will form a strong bond between the owner and his dog for many years to come.

Q: I have acquired a young puppy and he cries when he goes into his crate in the night. What is the best solution so I can finally sleep undisturbed?

A. Your puppy could be missing his mother and his littermates, or he might simply be afraid of a strange place. Put a crate in your bedroom so the puppy will not be lonely and isolated in another part of the house. If you are away during the day, try putting a ticking clock or a radio with soft music to help ward off his loneliness. It is good to give the puppy something to chew on while in the crate; it will relieve tension and pain of teething.

Do not take your puppy to bed with you; otherwise he will begin bigger problems in the future. After you have established the rules and relations with the puppy, such as sleeping in his bed, then he can jump on your bed when he is invited and not before.

Q: What is the best way to introduce a new puppy into a house that has an older dog?

A: The first consideration is the feeling of the older dog. Many times a new puppy gets all the attention and the established dog is overlooked. When you go to pick up a new puppy, bring your dog along. Carry a crate in the back of the car for the puppy. While the puppy is safely confined in the crate, your older dog will become acquainted with the pup on the short ride home. The puppy is sniffed at but not overwhelmed.

When you bring the dog and the puppy into the house, there will be a great deal of sniffing.

This is the time to make sure you give the older dog a lot of attention — petting, giving tidbits, and so on. If this is done, the older dog will feel secure in his home and will not feel threatened by the presence of the newcomer. The older dog could try to dominate the pup, but this is natural up to a point. If he is too rough, verbal disapprovals should be used rather than physical punishment. Generally, nature takes over and an understanding develops between the dogs. Too much interference and too much attention to the puppy will disrupt and even impair this normal relationship between the dogs.