Training for Everyday Living
When bringing home a new dog, be he young or old, you must begin training immediately. Show him what he can and cannot do where he can go and cannot go and sometimes when and with whom things are or are not permissable. If there is a room or even parts of the house that you don't want him to enter, then establish that from the beginning and be firm about it. Be consistent, don't allow him to enter the room on one day and then punish him the next. The first lesson to teach a dog is what you mean by saying "NO." Make this your first training lesson. Once he learns this, all other lessons become easier. How can this be done? Put a special tidbit down and when he goes for it, yell "No" and slap him away. Keep repeating this procedure until the pup stops approaching the tidbit. When you put down his food dish, say "No" and make him wait until you are ready for him to eat. Repetition, firmness, and reward will do the trick. Try to always reward your dog when he responds correctly by giving him a dog treat or something special he likes and training will be easier and faster.
Your dog can be taught to do the following:
(1) To Behave While You Are Eating
No "begging at the table" can be accomplished simply by never giving the dog anything to eat from the table. And if he should beg, firmly say "no" and push or send him away. Keeping him away from your eating area until he gets the message will also help. Dogs that beg at the table frequently do so because, at first, they were allowed to or even encouraged. When the owner later decides that this is annoying and should stop, it is very difficult to "unlearn" this bad behavior.
(2) To Stay off Furniture
From earliest puppyhood, teach your dog his restrictions. You may enjoy having your St. Bernard puppy on the couch, but consider what this will mean when he grows up. So, don't allow your pup to do anything you wouldn't allow your fully grown dog. If you don't want him on your furniture, never allow him to be on it!
(3) Not to Run Out the Door
For city and suburban dwellers this is a most important lesson. Too many dogs are lost or run over and injured or killed by automobiles. Make this lesson one of your first and most important ones and be sure it is learned well. Even if your yard is fenced in or if you live far from the road, train your dog to go out only when you give your permission. If your facilities are not enclosed, train your dog never to go out the door without the leash and you. This training is best accomplished while the puppy is still small. Running out at mailmen and delivery men is a very popular canine sport but this very disturbing behavior should not be permitted to become a habit.
(4) To Walk on the Leash
Have your new puppy wear a small collar. When he becomes accustomed to having it on—this may take several days — attach a leash and let him walk around with it on. Then, gradually begin holding it and walking with him. Don't pull or drag him, just gently guide him until he becomes accustomed to responding to the lead. Don't allow the pup to bite the leash or to tangle himself around your legs. Speak to him, be friendly but firm, and reward him with praising and petting when he does it correctly.
(5) Not to Bark Unnecessarily
Most people want their dog to bark when a stranger is around or in case of some danger. However, too many dogs bark constantly at people or events, and this becomes annoying and bothersome. So, if your dog barks when you leave the house, you must return and scold him. Barking at mailmen, delivery men, and garbage men must also be curtailed early. Shout "No," clamp the mouth shut with your hand, and swat the behind with a rolled-up newspaper. Splashing them with cold water or picking them up and shaking them soundly while scolding has also been suggested. Be persistent and consistent.
It is most disturbing to your neighbors if your dog barks while outside; don't allow this. If he persists in barking, act firmly. Some authorities suggest throwing a bucket of water on the dog that barks in the yard, while others suggest using a spray attachment on the garden hose. Punish him immediately when he barks and he will soon understand that this is unacceptable behavior.
(6) Not to Chew and Tear Clothes or Furniture
Never give the puppy an old shoe, sock, or piece of clothing with which to play for it is impossible for him to distinguish between a shoe he may chew and one he isn't allowed to touch. A pup has a strong natural chewing instinct. He needs to chew to ease some of the discomfort of teething and to keep him self occupied. Give him rawhide bones to chew these are healthy and won't cause you any damage. For safety, once the pieces get small, take them away as a small piece of rawhide can be swallowed and get stuck in the puppy's throat. If junior chews at furniture punish him immediately with a good hard slap and tie him up or confine him to a place where he can't do any harm. Chewing can be a very expensive and destructive habit if allowed to continue. Remember that a small destructive dog will mature and become even more destructive. If you find you can't control the situation, don't delay —call a professional trainer for assistance.
(7) Not to Snap, Growl, or Bite
Instinctively, most dogs will growl if anyone ap proaches them while they are eating or gnawing on a bone. Some will snap and even bite if their food is touched. Such behavior must not be tolerated. Dem onstrate to your dog that you can and will take his food dish or bone away from him and don't tolerate any signs of anger from him. You may have to do some punishing, but it's easier to do this with a young puppy than to have a mean, full grown dog who can't be approached while eating.