By Alden & Jennifer Little

Congratulations to all of you who brought home puppies over the holidays. We hope our last article on choosing puppies proved helpful in your decision. By now you have probably lost about a dozen socks, two area rugs, one tablecloth and your left Birkenstock sandal to the cause. (At least that's the last count at our house.)

It didn't take long for the cute, chubby and often napping puppy that we all started out with to double or even triple in size. Forget about sweet little naps. The puppy is now basically a fireball of energy. Our purpose here is to help you channel some of that energy into productive learning. We have always stressed the importance of proper socialization and its positive effect on the outcome of a dog. But in addition to the basics of love and attention, adequate housing and proper health care, there are several things we suggest to actually begin training your puppy.

Like most people, you probably put a lot of thought into the registered name and call name of your new pup. It is very important that the dog become very familiar with the name, if not already. Make sure to call his name frequently during playtime and when greeting him. It won't be long before he recognizes the word as an address to himself and will respond with enthusiasm. Here's a hint: Try not to choose a name that too closely resembles the sound of a command that you will possibly use in the future. For example, "Lil" sounds a lot like "Heel." "Mack" sounds a lot like "Back." And "Kit," sounds a lot like "Sit." Although it might not seem vital now, it could cause confusion for the dog during more formal training whether for obedience or for the field.

COLLAR BREAKING The first time you place a collar on a puppy, they will probably resist and try desperately to pull it off. Not to worry. As long as you have purchased a comfortable fabric collect that is well fitted, the pup will grow accustomed to it very quickly. Make sure to buy one with graduated neck sizes for growth, but not so big that you have a loose end dangling around his neck.

LEASH BREAKING After he is content with the collar, it is time to introduce a leash. Relatively speaking, we do not intend for you to use a heavy leash like you would for a grown dog. A simple cord or thin rope will do just fine. Use something inexpensive and keep plenty of it around. All you need to do is attached the 10- to 15-ft. "leash" to the collar and let him drag it around for a while. Be sure to keep a close eye on him because he will undoubtedly tangle through your dining room chairs and floor lamps. Never let him get caught in a dangerous or frightening situation while on a leash. And never use it to "tie up" the dog. Everything in teaching should be kept positive. Keep in mind that you are only introducing the leash as a tool. It is an extension of you. Once the puppy is comfortable with it, you will start using the leash to control his movements even encouraging him to walk with you and establish boundaries.

HERE With the pup on leash, allow him to travel a few feet from you while you hold the other end of the leash. Calling out his name and introducing the command "Here," gently tug him back to you. Once he returns, however reluctantly, give lots of praise for a job well done. Repeat the sequence a few times always ending on a positive note. Soon he will be returning to you on command without being pulled back. Remember, the distance should not be very far. The same 10- to 15-ft. leash is sufficient.

SIT At this point the puppy should be comfortable and confident with you, the collar, the leash and reasonably sure of "Here." You can now try to teach the idea of "Sit." Placing your hand on the pup's hind area, gently push his rear to the floor repeating "Sit." Do so in a pleasant voice. Naturally there will be some resistance on his part at first, but that's OK. Eventually he will anticipate the placement of your hand with the command and comply. Don't expect "Sit" to last very long for such a young dog. Their attention span won't let them. So to avoid letting puppy set the rules of duration, always release him from the command after a few seconds and give him lots of praise. Let him know you are pleased.

RETRIEVE or FETCH To teach fetch as a command you will need to combine everything we've covered so far. Begin by repeating the word "Fetch," in a pleasant voice anything he has or is about to pick up a DESIRABLE object to carry in his mouth. Desirable is the key word here. Do not encourage fetch with shoes, sofa pillows, etc. Because the puppy's teeth are fragile and gums are tender, only use soft pliable pet toys or preferably a canvas puppy bumper (dummy). While at play, get the pup's attention with the bumper by waving it excitedly in front of him. Making noise like "Hey, Hey, Hey," will also heighten his desire to take it from you.
With his full attention, toss the bumper a few feet from you. As soon as he gets it, say, "Fetch" while using the attached leash and "Here" command to bring him back. It will take a few lessons for him to realize what you are asking of him. If done correctly enough times, he will be more than happy to oblige you and bring the bumper directly back. After all, this ensures him at least one more happy retrieve. In closing, we cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your training fun, exciting and positive. If a puppy becomes bored or frightened during a lesson, all positive learning will stop. When you continue to force an issue, you will most likely un-train and create opportunities for bad habits to begin. It is equally important to allow sufficient learning time for each command. A week for each is a good rule of thumb, but naturally will depend on your dog's individual ability.

Whether your intention is to use your dog for hunting and fieldwork or as an obedient friend, these early steps will help form a proper foundation for a sound and well-adjusted dog. From a trainer's point of view, receiving a six-month-old for training that already possesses some or all of these skills are a blessing. Not only does it mean that we can begin formal training at a higher level, it also means that you save some training costs and possibly shorten the time needed to complete training. As always, your questions and comments are welcome.

Contact us at (334) 366-4732. Our web address is www.tru-line-retrievers.com