Puppy Training
“WHEN SHOULD I START TRAINING MY PUPPY?”
This is a really common question and the answer is simple…as soon as you get it home. In fact, if you have chosen a good breeder your puppy’s education will have started before it even left the nest box.
EVERYTHING IS TRAINING
As soon as your pup opened it’s eye and ears it started learning about the world. A good breeder will have introduced all sorts of sights, sounds, and experiences in the first two months of life. At this age a puppy can’t learn to be afraid of things so anything it meets is accepted as a normal part of life. Puppies come with lots of ‘pre-programmed’ behaviour too, like not wanting to go to the toilet in their ‘nest’. Good breeders will provide a toilet area (usually on newspaper or puppy pads) so even house training is started before you pick your puppy up!
TRAINING IS FUN
Many older dog books will tell you not to start training until a pup is 6months or a year old, but as long as the training is in small bite and is always fun it makes sense to start while your pup is young and ever so eager to learn. Most puppies really want to be with their new person, and most puppies a really into their food so why not use these two things to teach a great recall?
At dinner time instead of giving your pup it’s food from the bowl use it for some training. Throw a bit of food away from you so the pup chases it down…then encourage pup back to you with another bit. What a fun game! And there’s food! Pretty soon you can say “Fido Come!” just before you show the food in your hand and hey presto Fido has learnt a recall, and most importantly that coming back to the person is fun.
Playing training games like this with your pup is a great way to build a bond, prevent food issues, and start teaching your pup without it even realising.
ONE DOG OR TWO?
ONE DOG OR TWO?
There are few things that make our vet happier than meeting clients with a new puppy.
There are few things that worry her more than meeting new clients with two new puppies!
We know how it happens…the family visit the breeder to chose their pup…there are two left that they just can’t pick between…and they’ll be great company for each other…and you can train one each…BUT…
TWO’S COMPANY…THREE’S A CROWD
There is no doubt that two puppies will entertain each other while you are busy at work, cooking dinner or rounding up the kids.
Unfortunately this is where problems can start. The pups have so much fun together they don’t need you at all! In order to train a puppy you need to build a bond with it. This is easily done if you are the source of all food, play and cuddles but less so if the puppy can get play and physical contact from another puppy. It’s almost like twins who invent a secret language!
Added to that you’ll have double bills for vaccines, neutering, insurance, training classes, kennels…..
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PACK?
Dogs aren’t really pack animals. They are social individuals, much like humans and they have evolved to live alongside humans. Dogs have developed body language and vocal gestures which they only use with humans and, unlike most other domestic pets, can get along without doggy companionship as long as they get plenty of stimulation from their humans and get to meet and play with friendly dogs on a regular basis.
All of this said it is wonderful when you do own more than one dog. Our vet Vicky never thought her first dog missed out, until she got a second…and a third! “It’s lovely to watch them play with each other in a different way than they do with me.” But it’s not always easy, “They do need to be separated at mealtimes, especially when they have bones. And sometimes, if they need different exercise levels I can do three or four walks a day!” Vicky recommends waiting until your first puppy is fully trained and mature, or until your rescue dog is totally settled, before looking for a new dog. This could mean leaving 18months to 2 years between puppies or a year between rescue dogs.
Our Vet Vicky is currently working on her level 5 COAPE Diploma in Companion Animal Training and Behaviour to add to the range of services she offers.