Puppy Training

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PHOENIX, AZ AREA: (602) 708-4531
OR, if you are out of this area, inquire about a telephone or e-Lesson
Email: Sam@SamTheDogTrainer.com

I have some great puppy memories. I fondly remember the day when I brought home one of my favorite dogs, Benny. I had been shopping for a new dog for nearly a year. My old dog, Kate, was getting very old, and I knew that she wouldn’t be around much longer.

So, when I picked up my new puppy, Benny, from the breeder’s earlier that day, I was so excited I could hardly stand it. Part of the thrill was that my secret hadn’t been revealed (except to my Mom and brother): that I had purchased a puppy!

I had earlier invited the whole family over for a surprise. I had everyone sit down in the living room and told him or her to close his or her eyes. I then carried Benny in my arms into the room, sat down in a chair across the room, and told them that they could open their eyes. I’ll never forget my brother-in-law’s reaction. His eyes brightened up, and in a state of pleasant astonishment and surprise, said, “Ooh, it’s a puppy!”

It was a wonderful night. We visited, had dinner, and spent time getting to know Benny. He was our new family member.

You are going to have fun getting your new puppy. When I was a young man, I was into fast cars, stereos, and other types of entertainment. But, after I got a dog when I was 25 years old, I came to realize that a dog is the ultimate “toy.” They are more fun, involving and interesting than any other thing that I might own. They are almost like having a good human friend. In fact, I’ve known dogs that were better friends than some people that I have known!

My one hope for you is that it you and your dog enjoy one another as much as I have enjoyed the dogs I have owned over the years.

For that’s what this is all about. I’ve done a lot of right things with my dogs over the years. I’ve also made many mistakes over the years with my dogs. I want to teach you what I’ve learned so you don’t make the same mistakes that I’ve made, and to help you not make the same mistakes that I’ve seen others make.

With my own dogs, my goal is to make fewer and fewer mistakes with each dog, and to enjoy each dog more than the last one, knowing that I will still err from time to time.

I had to take my own “medicine”. My current dog, Dillon, was quite a challenge as a young pup. I called him my little alligator!

I had to do all the same things you are having to do with your pup: cleaning up accidents, teaching him house rules, socializing him to all manner of places and people and animals, bathing, grooming, playing, informal training, etc., etc., etc.

I remembered when he figured out that he could climb up on my bed. When I was typing away on my computer, he’d sneak up there and go to sleep! I just had to make sure that he didn’t tear up the covers. I also remember when he started to jump up and look on top of the kitchen counters — and looking at the top of the stove — so, I had to catch him in the act and teach him to keep his feet on the floor… I don’t want him getting hurt by tipping over a hot skillet or someday eating some chicken bones and choking. Even so, I’m had the time of my life!

There is an abundance of information on how to train an older puppy or adult dog, but not much has been written on how to get the right start with choosing and raising a puppy that’s less than 4 months of age. If you don’t know what to do, then there’s nothing wrong with hiring someone like myself to give you ideas on how to get things off to a good start.

People make more errors in raising a young puppy than they do when raising an older puppy or adult dog. Most people don’t know what is involved in choosing the right puppy or raising a young puppy properly. And, most people don’t know how to put all the small details together in order to train up a super adult dog. Even I don’t know everything! And neither does anyone else. But, I do know quite a bit, and I can help you do most things right.

Millions upon millions of normal and healthy dogs are put to death every year. Most of those dogs end up in shelters because of behavioral problems that could be easily solved by a competent dog trainer. You don’t want your dog to be one of those dogs that will be eventually put to death. Every dog deserves a good home and good training. Every dog owner deserves a good, healthy, trainable dog

Puppies should be happy and fun. A normal puppy is outgoing, but not confident in every circumstance. A normal puppy adapts to reasonable amounts of change and new things every day, and improves over time. A normal puppy gets along with friendly animals and people. A normal puppy bonds to its family and wants to be with, and handled by, them. However, there is no such thing as the perfect puppy. All puppies need purposeful human guidance and interaction in order to become acceptable adult companions. If you neglect the basic needs of your puppy, or abuse your puppy, then don’t blame the breeder if your dog grows up to be a mess.

Sometimes I get calls from people wondering if there’s something wrong with their puppy. For example, if you’ve never seen a puppy do Doggy Racetrack (bursting into a senseless run around the house), you might think your puppy is going nuts! I have to assure them that this kind of thing is normal, and I tell them how to view it and how to redirect the dog into another acceptable activity — or to take the pup outside because it’s got to poop! With respect to aggression, even a well-bred and properly raised puppy might, at times, growl, bite, or bark at people, animals, or objects. Aggression is a normal part of a being a dog.

The question arises as to whether you have a puppy with a problem that might make your adult dog unsafe to own .I got the idea to write this article the other day after I was bitten on the thumb! I was evaluating a fearful 3 month old Australian Shepherd, and pushed the dog just a little too much. The bite wasn’t anything serious (I wouldn’t have pushed an older dog that way), but that pup was a loaded gun ready to go off someday. I recommended that the owner give the dog back to the breeder — she did, even though it was a hard thing to do, and she got a nice pup in exchange. It was the right thing to do.

WARNING SIGNS: I would recommend that you get professional advice if any puppy displayed any of the following behaviors. Sometimes, if you catch these things early, you can save the pup. Other times, you have a real problem brewing, and it will be better to give the pup back to the breeder. Some problems portend a vicious adult dog.

Guarding Territory Inside The House

Guarding Objects From Family

Growling When Being Picked Up

Growling When Being Handled

Hiding And Growling

Mounting Children

Refusal To Allow Handling By Strangers

Animal Aggression

Obsessive/ Compulsive Behaviors

Fearfulness

Spookiness

It’s not any fun to tell someone that his or her pup is too dangerous to own. Dogs are supposed to be fun. Dogs must conform to the standards of behavior set by the owner and society, or the dog will eventually be given away or put down anyway. If you know of a person getting a puppy, or you have questions about a certain puppy, and you want an opinion, give me a call. I’ll be glad to evaluate the dog for you. I won’t candy coat or put the “sales pitch” on you. I’ll tell you honestly what I think you’re dealing with.

So, do you need ideas on how to Train your pup? Or, solve a problem? Do you know how to properly socialize your puppy? Do you need advice on how to pick a puppy? Call me. I’d be glad to talk with you. Some information is free, some I have to charge for. Either way, you’ll get a better pup!