| You can begin to train your puppy almost the moment you bring it
home and sooner still, if you have bred the dog yourself. Grooming
For easy grooming sessions later, get your dog used to standing and being handled
all over on a non-slip table such as a grooming table. Any sturdy table with a
suction cup bathtub mat or non-slip stair matting fixed to it can be used as an
alternative. Do not begin grooming your dog right away, but just try to
make it stand as you love it on its future grooming table. Speak gently, stroking
your puppy all over. Speak gently and give special praise to your good puppy when
you handle its face (ears and mouth area) and its feet. If the puppy objects and
doesn't seem successful at being handled, make the sessions short and pleasant
until it does. Several minute-long sessions for a few days will get the dog used
to this practice, and it will look forward to it. I have spent many years
sliding around with a basset all over the floor to do nails, ears and teeth because
the dog was not trained to be used to standing or sitting on a table in a reasonable
fashion. The very next dog I got, taking the initiative from the very beginning
to make handling and grooming a pleasant experience paid off in many ways. I now
have 4 dogs that all stand on a table for their grooming. The only part they really
don't like is the nails, but they do behave, so its done in no time at all. We
still give treats after nails, and a good loving for a job well done. If
your dog is a long coated or wire-haired breed that will need clipping or coat
stripping in the future, you might want to get it used to a grooming arm on your
table. Your dog groomer in future will thank you, and if you eventually learn
to clip your dog yourself, you will see the direct benefits. Always stay by your
dog when its collar is attached to the grooming arm. Gradually over a period
of several days get your dog used to you working around its ears first with dry
absorbent puffs, then moist puffs, gradually over several days working toward
actual ear cleaning. Gradually get your dog used to its mouth and teeth being
handled for future teeth brushing and teeth scraping. Start with a finger toothbrush,
or just with a moist cloth with a bit of "doggy" toothpaste on it. A tiny bit
of doggy toothpaste on your finger can bring around an especially apprehensive
puppy. Be ever so gentle with the puppy that is teething, and if you do see a
sore mouth, just look at it that day, and don't do anything to cause sensitivity.
In a few days you will see the old tooth gone and a new one coming in its place.
The grooming table is a good place to look at eyes, ears, teeth, etc., to give
yourself a good idea of what is normal for your dog. Look at gum colour, whites
of eyes, tissue colour inside the ear canals, skin and hair coat, etc. Knowing
what your dog is typically like in these areas when its well or in "normal" circumstances,
is a good comparison for later, when you might notice a problem in these areas,
indicating an issue of concern, or even medical emergency. Obedience
As Play
There are many books on obedience training, and most are very
good. But long before actual training begins, you can start to train your puppy
the basic commands. Coming when called for treats and loves is the easiest of
all for even a young puppy. You can train a puppy to sit, stand, and lie down
by using a treat in your hand and moving the treat to cause the puppy to do what
you want when you say the verbal command. Always say the verbal command, and always
praise. Think about the obedience hand signals if you eventually might want
to enter obedience trials. If not, you still owe it to your dog to teach it basic
commands. For example, a down from a distance could one day save your dog's life,
if it is about to run out on a road. You can simulate the exact obedience hand
signals that you might later use with the treat in your hand. These basic commands
are as follows: Palm up for sit; arm moving downward with palm down for a down
command; a sweeping arm motion with palm moving toward you for come; palm back
toward the nose for stay; and palm down with hand gradually moving away from the
dog's nose for a stand. The puppy will think its a game, but it will be
learning at the same time. Enjoy your pup, enjoy your dog. Our dogs are
with us for a short time and there is nothing like a happy, healthy relationship
between dog and owner. -------------------------------------------------
// ------------------------------------------------ Reprinted with permission
by Bonnie Tetlock | 
