Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Puppy Training Tips

TEACUP PUPPY - TRAINING TIPS
TEACHING EYE CONTACT
Teaching eye contact to your Teacup Puppy can provide a way to have a quick response to your commands and if done properly, it will be easy and beneficial. It is a great way to gain control quickly to protect your Teacup Puppy, order restraint and basically command obedience when it is needed. With some patience and practice, your dog will be giving you eye contact when you call his or her name.
Puppies tend to respond better to movements than when you are standing still and working this exercise. Have a few treats with you in a pocket or in your hand where the dog cannot see them. Call your pets name and move quickly away from the dog. Immediately give praise and a treat when the Teacup Puppy moves with you. When you hand out the treat, place it between your eyes and the dogs eyes. Your dog will be looking at the treat, but will also see your eyes. In time your dog will be giving you eye contact because of the association with the treat. Praise the puppy each time an eye contact response is given.
You’ll need to practice this sequence several times. Make sure you do these activities in this order: say the name of the Teacup Puppy, move quickly so that the dog follows your movement, give verbal praise, pull out the treat and show it between your eyes and the puppy’s eyes, and then give the treat. This is an activity that will happen quickly. Use treats for a period of time, then consider using a favorite toy to keep the pattern the way you want it to be. Alternate between giving a treat, giving a toy or only giving praise.
Your praise is important to the Puppy.


SIT TRAINING TIPS FOR TEACUP PUPPIES
Teacup Puppies of any age can be taught to sit. It just takes a little patience and a few clever techniques. Begin with a handful of treats that your Teacup Puppy likes. Put a leash on your Teacup Puppy so that you have him in front of you.
Holding a treat in one hand, place it close to your Teacup Puppy's nose, but out of reach of him jumping up and grabbing it. Move the treat slowly up over his head. The plan is to lure him into the sitting position and use a hand signal to do it, as you say, “sit.” As soon as he sits, say “yes!” Give them the treat and praise them gently so that they will not get too excited and jump up.
Another way to teach your Teacup Puppy  to sit is to have the treat in your hand and push his bottom to the floor while you say “sit.” You need to immediately give him a treat to reward his behavior. When he sees he is rewarded, he will respond as you continue to practice this teaching method. When he responds consistently to your command to sit, he will expect a treat each time. This will be the time to back off on rewards and praise. Only praise and reward him every third time. As you praise him less and less for sitting on command, he will begin to obey without being rewarded and you will have accomplished your goal.


TEACHING YOUR TEACUP PUPPY TO COME
Most Teacup Puppies and dogs are eager to be with their masters, so teaching them to come is not too difficult. A “teenage” Teacup Puppy is still more of a puppy and may think you just want to play and romp, so he may run back and forth. Let him play a little, then get down to business.
First, you will need to put a collar and leash on your puppy if he is fairly active. Without holding the leash tight, stand a few steps away and call “come!” Praise him when he comes to you. You may even want to offer a treat to the dog a few times and praise him when he comes. When you repeat this exercise over and over, it will become natural for the Teacup Puppy to obey. As your dog begins to obey regularly to this command, remove the leash and cut back on the treats and praise
The objective is to teach your pet to be a great, pleasant companion who will obey your commands. You, the owner, need to have authority over the Teacup Puppy. Keep in mind, however, that that puppies can become easily distracted, so be patient with them as you train them and keep working on the same techniques. Practice these techniques and you will be rewarded with a happy dog.