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  • Hi, I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini.

  • And today we're going to discuss basic puppy obedience

  • and behavior training.

  • Obedience training is one of the best things you can do for

  • you and your puppy.

  • So this video will focus on the three basic commands--

  • sit, lie down, and stay.

  • A puppy can learn a great deal, even as early as seven

  • weeks of age, if learning is fun and presented

  • in the form of play.

  • To establish a positive report with your puppy and prevent

  • many future problems, start training a few days after your

  • puppy settles in.

  • A relationship based on friendship and trust will

  • ensure he tries hard to win you praise and approval.

  • Before giving a word command to your puppy, speak his name

  • to get his attention.

  • Then speak a one word command, such as stay,

  • sit, come, or heel.

  • Your puppy won't respond to commands until

  • he knows his name.

  • Don't get impatient.

  • The quickest way to teach your puppy's name is to award him

  • every time he looks at you.

  • Always train when your puppy is hungry, lonely, or bored.

  • When all his needs are met, he won't be as motivated

  • to do as you say.

  • For example, training right before meals will help him

  • associate his meal with a reward for the training and

  • also make him more interested in the treat you use in your

  • training session.

  • Also remember to use motivation, not negative

  • reinforcement.

  • Reinforce desired behaviors by offering toys, food, and

  • praise so the puppy wants to obey.

  • Different dogs value different rewards.

  • Some may think a tennis ball is the best thing in the

  • world, while another puppy may find a tennis ball meaningless

  • but would do nearly anything for the

  • chance to have a treat.

  • Never use physical punishment on a young puppy as you may

  • scar him both mentally and physically.

  • Also refrain from calling your dog to come to you for

  • punishment, because this will teach your dog

  • not to come on command.

  • Dogs can feel human emotions, so stay

  • relaxed, firm, and confident.

  • Be sure to keep any frustration out of the tone of

  • your voice.

  • And if you feel yourself becoming

  • frustrated, take a break.

  • Your dog can sense this and will start to associate

  • training with your unhappiness.

  • Most puppies, like young children, enjoy learning but

  • have short attention spans.

  • Training sessions should be frequent and short to prevent

  • your dog from becoming bored.

  • 10 to 15 minute sessions two or three times a day is ideal.

  • The first command I'm going to show is sit.

  • Your puppy's on a leash, and you're sitting on the ground

  • with the leash under your legs so he can't take a field trip

  • away from you.

  • Hold your hand high over his head with the reward in it.

  • Your dog will look up at the reward.

  • Use your other hand to gently guide your dog

  • into a sitting position.

  • And say in a clear firm tone "sit" while still holding the

  • reward in the air above the dog's head.

  • When your dog sits, give him the treat and

  • verbally praise him.

  • The second command I like to teach is lie down.

  • Have your dog sit.

  • Let him know you have the treat, but

  • don't give it to him.

  • Slowly lower your hand with the treat to the floor to

  • bring your pup's nose close to the ground.

  • When he starts to follow it say "lie down".

  • Once he's fully on the floor, you can give him the treat.

  • Repeat saying lie down and rewarding correct behavior.

  • Now for stay.

  • Have your dog sit.

  • Let him know you have the treat but

  • don't give it to him.

  • Go in front of your puppy, raise your open hand, and say

  • "stay" firmly so your puppy can associate your open hand

  • with what he's learning.

  • Start to move away from your puppy while occasionally

  • repeating the stay command.

  • Start with only a few seconds of staying at a time and then

  • move to slightly longer amounts.

  • Always come back and reward your puppy if he follows

  • instructions.

  • The last thing I'd like to talk about is nutrition and

  • its implications on puppy training.

  • Good nutrition leads to a healthy dog with higher

  • quality of poop and more predictable and balanced

  • behavior so he's easier to train.

  • Make sure your puppy is getting the well-balanced diet

  • he needs for optimal development.

  • For more information on puppy nutrition, watch the video

  • "What is the best puppy food for your puppy."

  • I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini, and I hope that you

  • found this helpful as you welcome your new addition into

  • your family.

  • For more information on puppy care and training, visit

  • iams.com/puppy.

Hi, I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini.

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