As a foster parent for Dog Guides Canada I have been fortunate to learn best practices on how to make your puppy into a great dog. Dog Guides' trainers and staff are friendly and really teach you how to raise a great puppy!

If you've ever wondered about fostering puppy for Dog Guides go to their website and give them a call! It's very rewarding and Fun!

Jersey, our last foster puppy, went back last month to go for his final set of tests. If he passes he'll be formally trained to be a Guide Dog.

The trainers are already saying that he and his whole litter are doing exceptionally well! Keep a good thought that he makes the program because one day soon he will be a great sense of security and freedom for a person that needs help. Not to mention he’ll be a loving friend...

Here’s what I learned raising Jersey…

Puppies are very receptive. Like sponges picking up water, they pick up information in their environment very easily. In Training Your Puppy 101 you will learn the basics on how to teach your puppy proper manners and behaviours. With this information you can help her grow into a confident, happy dog that will be a cherished friend for many years to come.

Your puppy is more likely to succeed if we build a firm foundation early on. No time like now to get started.

The series of articles on this part of our website called Training Your Puppy will show you the best way to help your puppy to become Dog Guide Obedient!

Meet JAM, Our New Foster Puppy!

Obedience

Training your puppy should be done with patience, consistency, and, most of all, FUN!

A puppy that has fun learning will enjoy learning all its life! Puppies are kind of like you and me that way, aren’t they?

Training sessions should be short and frequent. Then end the training sessions on a positive note with playtime, treats (healthy dog treats, not human food), and lots of affection. Like you and me the puppy needs to know that he or she is doing it right.

Five Basic Commands for Obedience

Here you will learn training your puppy to...

1: Sit
2: Down
3: Wait
4: Stay
5: Come

1: Sit - The command "sit" is the building block command. The other commands will come easier when your puppy understands the command, “sit”

When you start training your puppy it is helpful to use food as a lure. Again not human food. We will talk more about proper nutrition in another article.

Let the puppy know you have a treat buy having him sniff it or showing it to him. Slowly move the treat back over her head. (If the puppy is interested in the treat she will follow your hand and end up in a "sit" position). When the puppy sits, say "sit," and then give her the treat with a gentle pat on the head and say "good girl." Once the puppy knows the word "sit," you can practice around the house, outside, and at the park. And you are well on your way to training your puppy properly.

NOTE:When training your puppy do not to repeat commands over and over. It can interfere with the puppy's thought process. Ask the puppy once, then guide the puppy's bum to a "sit" position. Remember always give lots of praise! Simple clear communication is important.

2: Down

You can teach "down" much the same way you teach "sit" - by luring the puppy into a "down" position, then praising and rewarding with food. There are two methods of teaching down.

When training your puppy the "down" command you can do it from a "sit" position or from a "stand" position.

Sit Position: Hold the treat in front of the puppy's nose and let the puppy sniff at the treat. Slowly guide the treat down in between the puppy's front feet. As the puppy goes into a down position, say "down," then give the treat as well as lots of praise and gentle petting.

Stand Position: Hold the treat in front of the puppy's nose and let the puppy sniff at the treat. Slowly guide the treat down and move in towards the puppy's stomach. As the puppy goes into a down position, say "down," then give the treat as well as lots of praise and gentle petting.

3:Wait

The command "wait" must not get confused with the command "stay." The command "wait" means that your puppy is waiting for another command. You can use this command to teach your puppy to "wait" before feeding, going out to play.

Have your puppy sit and tell him to "wait." While holding on to your puppy’s collar, place his food bowl in front of him on the ground. Tell him to "wait," a few seconds later you can release the command by saying "okay."

You can practice this every time you feed your puppy and gradually increase the time.

4:Stay

Again, don't confuse "stay" with the command "wait." The command "stay" means that your puppy has to stay where she is until you return to her. The ideal situation to use this command is for "sit-stays" and "down-stays." When starting this command it is best to have the puppy on leash. While facing the puppy, ask her to sit/down and tell the puppy to "stay." Take a step back and return with praise for your puppy.

When training your puppy to "stay" gradually increase the steps and the time. If the puppy breaks the "stay" then return the puppy to the original spot in a sit/down position and start again. (When the puppy breaks a "stay" then it means that she wasn't ready for the distance or time. Next time decrease the time and distance until he has more practice) Once the puppy masters the "stay" command while on the leash, then you can slowly add distractions to make sure she really understands.

5:Come

One of the most important obedience commands when training your puppy is "come." It is essential that your puppy forms a positive association with the word "come." Imagine your dog heading toward a dangerous situation, like maybe running out on the street when a car is coming. Can you now see why “Come” is an important command? Great!

Get a handful of treats that your puppy loves and get ready to be very enthusiastic.

From a few feet away, say your puppy's name in a high happy voice. As soon as your puppy looks at you, either squat down or run backwards and say "come." Try both methods to see which elicits the quickest response from your puppy. As soon as your puppy starts coming toward you, say "good boy."

If you are backing up, squat down before your puppy gets to you, keeping your upper torso straight because dogs feel insecure or intimidated if a person bends over them. Keep the hand with the treat close to your body so that as the puppy approaches you, he does not try to grab the treat form an outstretched hand and run with it.

As you offer the puppy the treat from one hand, gently grasp the puppy's collar with the other. Not only will you be working on the "come" command, but you will also be associating taking hold of the collar with something positive.

Your puppy will be more willing to have its collar held as it grows up. Remember to begin teaching come in a low-distraction environment such as a quiet room in the house. As the puppy gets better and returns every time, you can start adding distraction.

Dogs don't respond to what you are saying, it is how you are saying it. (Tone of voice and body language) When you are praising your puppy, tell the puppy he's good in a high voice with lots of pets. When you are mad at your puppy, tell the puppy he's bad in a low voice and firm. Never, ever hit your puppy when your are angry. The best thing to do is put her in her crate until you cool down a little.

We'll learn more on crate training in another artilce.

This is Jam at 12 Weeks old. She's getting big so fast! Not to worry there's more pictures of her on the link below at 7 and 8 weeks old...

More Pictures of Jam...and some friends...Here