· Socialisation (at-home exercises)
· Toilet Training
· Alone/Separation Training
· Sleep Training
· Enrichment
· Playing, chewing, tugging and sniffing
· Walks and socialisation field trips
· Life Skills and Obedience Training
Positive Reinforcement training, in conjunction with management methods, is the simplest and most current training method. It is the one we will use to guide you; allow us to explain why we have confidence in it.
More excellent dogs, more happy humans! The reward-based technique of positive reinforcement training has been scientifically demonstrated to effectively encourage the behaviours you want your puppy to exhibit and instill confidence in them when entering a new environment. To put it plainly, greater incentives result in more positive behaviour.
When we say "good behaviour," we may imply anything, such as having our puppies sit, lie down, settle, or return when we call their name.
Rewards can take several forms, including:
· Treats,
· Toys,
· Praise,
Or anything else that your dog enjoys. However, let's not make it about money since that has not worked out well for humans.
Management Methods in Training?
Management is about regulating the setting and surroundings around your puppy to keep them from making errors or getting themselves into trouble.
Although you may believe that management makes you appear like the fun police, the reality is quite the reverse. Management will assist them in becoming acquainted with the rights and wrongs by putting them up for success rather than learning by trial and error!
Here are a few ways you can practice management with your puppy:
· Getting a crate for your puppy to keep him secure.
· Using a baby gate to keep your puppy from entering an area or room where we don't want them.
· A leash and lead to keep their muddy paws from leaping up on humans.
Use of Punishment –
It may get you quick results for a behaviour, but it will also create generalised anxiety, fears, phobias, and lack of confidence to cope with wider world. Therefore, it may lead to anxious or reactive dog.
Training Schedule Suggestion –
1. First thing in the morning
2. Following their post-breakfast wee
3. Following their mid-morning sleep
4. Before lunch (about 1 p.m.)
5. Following their midday nap
6. Before dinner (about 7 p.m.)
Use part of breakfast, lunch and dinner as a food treat. Utilise some of their feeding time to train and use some of their food to reward them.
Time | Activity |
---|---|
5-7am | Wake up and Toilet Time! We’ve put this in the same box because they’ll happen almost at the same time. As soon as your eyes open, go straight to your puppy’s toilet area. Take your puppy with you when you do this, of course (we know the struggles of a sleepy head in these early mornings). |
5-7am | See if your puppy will go back to sleep after their early toilet break. If not, well, get the coffee on to start your day as well. |
7 | Breakfast – In an activity feeder or Kong to keep them busy and unbloated. |
7.15 | Toilet Break |
7.3 | Play and Training |
8.15 | Toilet Break |
8.3 | Naptime |
10.3 | Toilet Break |
10.45 | Training |
11am | Brunch |
11.15 | Toilet Break |
11.3 | Play and Training |
11.45 | Toilet Break |
12 | Play and Training |
12.3 | Naptime |
2.3 | Toilet Break |
2.45 | Play and Training |
3 | Dinner Time |
3.15 | Toilet Break |
3.3 | Play and Training |
3.45 | Toilet Break |
4 | Naptime |
6 | Toilet Break |
6.15 | Training |
7pm | Supper Time |
7.15 | Toilet Break |
7.3 | Play and Training |
7.45 | Toilet Break |
8 | Relaxation and wind down |
If you have them outside of their crate or confinement area, we recommend taking a 15-minute toilet break to begin with. Don't worry, you won't be doing this for very long. Toilet breaks will become less frequent as they grow older and smarter. But for the time being, let's maintain them as consistent as possible to avoid stinky mishaps.