INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the world of dog ownership! This can be one of the most satisfying experiences you

will ever know -- unfortunately, it can also be one of the most trying. The quality of this experience,

and the quality of your relationship to your pet is directly related to the choices you make concerning

training, housing, diet and discipline.

Many people regard animals ( except apes, dolphins, etc. ) as unthinking. This couldn't possibly be true;

there would be no such creature as a trained pet. Animals -- all animals -- make choices; choice making

is thinking.

As you read this, keep in mind the way we raise our human infants. As babies, we kept them in high-

sided beds with bars. We pay close attention to their diet, we supervise them closely at all times, we

potty train them by offering them a choice, and praising them when they make the correct choice.

The following is an outline for successful housebreaking that applies the same principles to the

training of your puppy.

THE CIVILIZED PUPPY

Over the years, a basic truth about domestic dogs has been forgotten. They were once a handful of

distinct groups living and hunting in packs, and sleeping and raising their young in dens or caves.

Adult pack members would leave the cave to eat, hunt and relieve themselves. While puppies (cubs)

would be fed in the den and kept hidden there. Naturally, very young pups would relieve themselves

in the den, but their wastes were quickly removed by their mothers or other pack members. As soon

as the pups were able to move about, adult members would take them outside of the den for exercise

and to relieve themselves. (We can observe these conditions today with foxes, wolves and coyotes).

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Using the information you have already read and following a simple step by step procedure shown in the

following paragraphs ANYONE can mold and create their own civilized puppy. 

CONS OF PAPER TRAINING

Forget the old idea of partitioning off an area and using newspaper; this sends your puppy mixed signals.

The idea is that we do not want them to relieve themselves in the house at all -- the paper method

encourages the opposite. When paper training, you are giving your puppy permission to use the

bathroom in the house. It also does nothing to prevent property damage during teething.

The crate or kennel will become your puppy's den: the housekeeping and hygiene habits learned in

the crate will be applied to your house. Use a water bottle as opposed to a bowl to avoid spills.

Spilled water encourages your puppy to relieve itself as well. Water should be available at

all times. Always take your puppy outside to learn the area you wish the puppy to use for relief.

Do not let your puppy out unsupervised even if you have a fenced yard. It is important that you are

there to praise your puppy's performance. Remember that excited puppies, like children, will get

so involved with playing that they forget to relieve themselves and then it happens suddenly at the

most inopportune time. Leashes can be used, like Pavlov's bell, to program your puppy for a certain

response. Remember: take your puppy out on his leash, praise him profusely ( no food rewards )

for a job well done, take him back inside and remove his leash. Then you can allow him some free

play time inside or in the fenced backyard -- but separate the two activities so that your puppy will

know what is expected of him. HINT: If your puppy does not want to relieve himself while on the lead,

stand in one spot (preferably one already used by him) and pivot, walking the puppy around in a circle.

This works wonders !!!

Use a good quality, heavy non-tip dish so the puppy can not turn his food over.

Since your puppy will spend a good deal of time in his crate he will need appropriately sized toys and

teethers to stimulate him mentally and physically and curb that awful urge to chew. Ask your

pet consultant to show you these items so that you can make an educated choice.

We cannot stress enough the importance of diet as it relates to your puppy's overall mental and

physical development. Premium quality pet foods, with their optimum scientific formulation and

reduced or eliminated by-products will help tremendously because they reduce stool volume and

frequency. They also help maintain your pet's health and keep your pet out of the vet's office!

Keep a bottle of good quality stain/odor remover ( such as Nilodor, Outright or Four Paws enzyme

cleaners ) handy in case of accidents that happen when you forget to do your part in the day to day

supervision of your puppy.

Above all, avoid the use of old towels and clothing for bedding materials for your puppy. If it imprints

in the puppy the idea of sleeping on your scent and chewing on things that smell like you, it will be

virtually impossible to change his mind. The worse case scenario: he will insist on sleeping on your bed

and furniture and may raid your dirty clothes hamper and destroy valuable clothing. Do yourself a favor -

get a dog cushion, mat or bed.

We are now ready to proceed to your daily routine. The following is a schedule to go by. Insert the

times that suit your lifestyle and the puppy will adjust. Be rigorous in keeping to the same times for

going out, as the puppy's internal clock is very precise and the pup cannot wait more than 5 - 10

minutes past a scheduled time. As it grows older, it will be able to wait longer if needed.

DAILY ROUTINE

MORNING

1) Pick the pup up out of the crate or kennel, put him on a lead, CARRY him outside to a designated

spot and let him walk until he goes -- praise him profusely. DO NOT let the puppy walk out of his

crate -- he will use the bathroom as soon as he sets foot outside of his kennel.

2) Feed him breakfast. Put the food down for 15 minutes and then remove. This teaches the pup to

stop playing and eat when it's time - thus avoiding the problem of picky eaters.

3) Put the pup back in the kennel while you get ready for work.

4) Within 15 - 20 minutes of eating, the puppy will need to relieve itself. Take it outside and walk him

until he goes. DO NOT FORGET TO PRAISE !!!

5) Put him back in his crate before you leave. Be sure that the water bottle is accessible to him.

6) If you can get home at lunch for a quick outing, by all means do so. However, if you cannot, do

not worry about it -- the puppy will learn to live without this luxury.

AFTERNOON

7) Remove pup from kennel and put him on a lead, carry him outside to a designated spot and walk

him until he relieves himself. Praise him profusely !!!

8) Puppy can have free play time in or out of the house as long as he is closely supervised. If, when

playing indoors, the puppy begins circling or squatting -- immediately and firmly say NO and take it

straight outdoors. REPEAT step # 7.

9) Repeat steps 7 & 8 several times during the afternoon as time permits.

EVENING

10) Remove your puppy from his kennel when you get home, put his lead on and carry him outside

to the designated spot. Let him walk until he relieves himself. Praise him profusely.

11) Dinner -- put food down for 15 minutes then remove the dish.

12) Put the puppy back in the kennel for 30 minutes.

13) Remove the puppy from the kennel, put his lead on and carry him outside to the designated spot.

Let him walk until he relieves himself. Praise him profusely.

14) Your puppy can now have free play time in or out of the house as long as he is closely supervised.

BEDTIME

15) Carry your puppy outdoors to the designated spot. Let him walk until he relieves himself. Praise

him profusely.

16) Put your puppy in his kennel for the night. ***A stuffed animal toy made especially for dogs,

when given to the puppy only at bedtime, works magic at keeping the puppy from crying or howling.***

Puppies can choke on plastic eyes or other parts of toys that are not specifically made for dogs !!!

Repeat this process daily until you feel satisfied that the puppy has it down pat ( average 3 -- 14 days

if done properly). As you go, gradually increase the amount of time the puppy spends out of the kennel.

If the puppy soils the kennel DO NOT punish him. Remember, it's his kennel and the mess will agitate

him enough to make him wait even longer next time. DO NOT use the kennel as a punishment -- it

should be a positive place for the puppy. Giving your puppy a small treat every time he is put in the

kennel can work wonders to make him see it as a positive place.

Some puppies will be completely conditioned in as little as 48 hours, but the average puppy will take

five to fourteen days. DON'T GIVE UP -- THIS WORKS !!!