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Exercise:

Exercise every day is paramount in keeping your dog happy,healthy, and well-behaved.

Socialization and environmental socialization:

The world can be a scary place for a puppy. If you shelter them and never take them out they will become fearful of everything and everyone. We need them to be socially sound and environmentally sound. Let them experience everything. Always make it a positive
experience…

Be calm and assertive:

"Firm but Loving” Your dog needs to know you are the leader and the head of your pack.

Touch:

It is Important you touch your dog’s mouth, ears, paws, tail, belly etc. daily. We need them to be ok with being touched everywhere. This helps when you go to the veterinarian, groomer or when your dog is injured, and you need to examine them for injury.

Use a Crate:

Don’t think of the crate as a bad thing or your dog will too. It’s a safe place; like a den. Try it when your home, even in the same room. To make it positive, try giving your dog a bone or Kong treat to chew on only when he/she is in their special place. When you release your dog then take the treat and put it out of sight and reach. Try this throughout the day. Your dog needs down time and using the crate throughout the day is a good thing. This will make Potty training much easier too.

Greeting Your Dog:

When you come home; ignore your dog! I know it sounds cruel, but it keeps the dog calm. Greet your family first. Put your things away, calmly go over to the kennel, don’t talk, only open it when the dog is calm. Make them wait, then use your command to exit the crate. Give affection when they are being good. Everyone needs to be on the same page in the household. Be consistent!

Grooming:

Bathing your dog is an essential part of owning a dog and building a good relationship with them; it also allows you to feel for any
lumps, bumps or ticks, anything abnormal. Trim nails often especially when they are puppies. They need to get use to this and don’t allow them to wiggle, fuss or refuse to have them clipped. This may take time, but you need to be in control. At first you may only get one paw at a time.That’s OK just be persistent. Do it often and it will get easier each session.

Do not free-feed:

Your dog equates food with leadership. Allowing him/her to graze all day shows lack of leadership.

Feeding Technique:

Fill your dog’s bowl with proper amount of food; tell your dog to sit, wait, then place the bowl in front of them on the ground, then after a few seconds tell them to “take it” When training puppies you may need to hold them back a bit, but it only takes a few times and you’ll see progress.

Potty Training/house breaking:

If you don’t have time to pay attention to your dog, then make him/her go in her crate. We don’t want any accidents, so the rule is if you’re not watching him/her then he/she should be in their crate/kennel. Immediately after letting the dog out of the crate/kennel they should go immediately outside and the command “go potty” or whatever you choose the command to be. This should be used so they go on command. This is helpful and with repetition the dog will know what you are expecting.

Affection:

Give affection when deserved; by loving on your dog constantly you may encourage unwanted behavior without realizing it. We know you’ve missed your dog but providing constant undeserved affection is not helpful. Give your dog affection when he comes, when called or sitting politely. This makes your dog more eager to please you.

Practice leash walking:

Even if it is just in your driveway at first or around the house; walks are supposed to be enjoyable for both of you and practice is what will get you there.

Structured walk:

Structured walk, no sniffing, no marking, no soiling, no lunging, no barking, no greeting when you stop the dog sits. This is a good mental exercise. This is a good way for your dog to release energy at best 2 x a day, but one long structured walk would suffice. Remember this will help calm your dog; plus, it’s good for you both!

No People Food:

People food isn’t good for them and should never be given. It starts bad habits and then is confusing when you correct it later.

Furniture time:

If you like to cuddle with your dog in bed or on the couch, that’s fine; If you have invited him/her. Remember, it’s your furniture and when cuddle time is over, it’s time to get down. It’s always good to keep them on their toes! Sometimes it can be a long cuddle time and other times it’s only a few minutes. Letting your dog go anywhere he/she wants in your home shows lack of leadership on your part. It allows them to be the boss. Set boundaries and be consistent. Dogs love rules and pleasing you. Some rules may sound trivial to you, but it is a way of constantly showing leadership. You, are the leader, what you say goes. This makes them more confident if they know you’re
the leader.

Example:
• Exiting crate politely
• waiting to go through a doorway until you give the command
• getting off the furniture the first time you ask them.
• Staying out of a room when you want them to. (Example: kitchen when preparing food or while eating)
• Taking treats nicely