How to use these toys as Teaching Tools

Try to keep in mind during your interactive playtimes with the pup, that every action, word or command carried out can become a valuable part of the pup’s schooling and education. For example, simply tossing a toy for the pup actually has the potential to teach your puppy to retrieve on command, recall or return to you on command, sit on return to you and give up the article without a struggle or fight. All of these situations are basic, meaning that the pup will use these commands over and over again all through its life. The earlier you start to focus the pup on these commands, the easier you and puppy will slide through the puppy months.

Breaking Down The Segments Of The Retrieving Exercise

 

1. Have a flat leather or nylon collar on your pup for this type of session. You also need a 30 to 40 foot energy burn off rope, (if playing outdoors) and attached to his collar (See energy burn off in topic #5). This is crucial to insure a safe playtime and accurate training session s well.

 

2. Next, get the puppy excited over the toy or article. Toss it out a couple of feet from where you are to warm the puppy up. Command to the puppy “Take It”, (while it is still moving), using a fun and energetic voice. As soon as he takes the article, turn and start running from him so that he has to run to catch you. Start off by making these catch-up distances quite short, about 10 to 20 feet. As he’s closing in on you, turn and face him, calling out his name and the command “COME“. Coach him with lots of “GOOD PUPPY“ praise.

 

3.            When he’s almost to you, bend down to his level with open arms. Remember, if the pup gets too silly or out of control at any time, the long line is there to reinforce your commands. Should he refuse to come to you, simply reel him in like a fish line and praise heavily with voice and hands when he gets to you.

 

4.            Once within arms reach, command “SIT“ to the pup. If he’s facing you, lean forward over him while he’s still in the we are having fun frame of mind. If he still resists, just apply a bit of pressure on the indent spots near his hips. (Feel along the pups backbone and just before the hip bones you will feel 2 indent areas. Place your thumb in one and your middle finger in the other, on the opposite side. These I refer to as the indent spots). Do not press straight down or firmly. Your puppies bones are growing and you don’t want to put unnecessary pressure that could perhaps contribute to future problems. Rather then pressing, guide the puppies rear end back and down in a 45-degree manner towards the floor, into a sit position.

 

5.            Once in a “SIT“ position, command “GIVE“ to the puppy. Now most puppies want to hang on to the article and start the tug- of-war process. If this happens just pry his mouth open, using your

 

thumb and middle finger over the top of the muzzle. Push his own lip in-between the jaws and guaranteed, your pup will gladly spit out the article. This method eliminates the possibility of the pup putting tremendous bite pressure on one of your fingers while teaching him the command “GIVE“.

 

6.            On the release of the article, instantly give tons of “verbal and hands on praise”. Repeat the process a few more times gradually adding a bit more distance for the recall each time.

 

7.            Depending on the breed that you have will determine the number of repetitions you need to do in a session. (i.e. a border collie can go on endlessly, where as a laid back personality may only tolerate 2 or 3 reps at one time.) The most important thing to remember is to keep this playtime fun for both you and your puppy. Stop when either of you have had enough so that neither party sours on the activities. There is nothing wrong with teaching the puppy the “ENOUGH” command. This is another verbal, growl type of command that your pup is familiar with as he has heard it from his mother at very early stage. When she had “ENOUGH“ of the puppy silliness, she would growl in a disciplinary tone that basically told the puppy to back off and entertain itself for a while. Hence the reason for the growling tone.

Now a good tug of war game is lots of fun for your puppy, However there is a right and wrong way to play the game. You can play tug of war type games with your puppy, if the article is a doggy type article. Not the towel off the kitchen stove. You see, you must win at the game and the trick to success is to force the pup to release the article to you with the “GIVE“ command, then toss it away and allow him to retrieve the article himself. If you were to give in and release the article to the pup in the heat of the game, then you are teaching him that he is stronger than you, both physically and mentally.

 

This is a terrible foundation to start the training process from. He would already disrespect you as a strong leader in his eyes. If you choose to play this game, ensure your winning then return the article to the pup for his use and amusement. Otherwise, avoid the game altogether.