Puppy time out how to#

What’s True for a Toddler is True for a Puppy What your puppy learns is that he can communicate with you, and you’ll do your level best to, “get it.” Take him outside to potty, get out a toy, grab his leash, give him a bully stick. Even if you get it wrong, it’s fun to guess and let him enjoy the process. I like the idea of teaching a puppy to sit to ask for what he wants to go outside, go for a run, eat, play, get a toy? Even if you aren’t sure in the moment what your puppy wants, it’s easy to guess. In a short time, even the most excitable puppies learn to wait longer with the understanding we will notice and reward them lavishly. Best of all, they get what they want. When we think of education the most powerful and productive lessons for a child (or a puppy) are teaching them what to do to get what they want. Why waste a lot of effort jumping and barking if all it takes is sitting and waiting? In the Jumpstart Program we start this training the first day.

Puppy time out how to#

In fact, it’s a win-win and the secret to great manners.Įmpower Your Puppy – Teach Him How to Get What He Wants However, I also teach them immediately what to do to get what they want, and this is empowering. I simply mean it, especially when they have scratched or hurt me. In my experience, 99% of the puppies I have trained over the years understand me when I let them know it’s not OK to jump or bite or bark. Plus, he gets your attention, suddenly you’re all over him to stop, and he gets a treat for sitting instead. It’s fun, discharges energy, is it’s own reward. In behavior-speak jumping is a self-reinforcing action and feedback loop. Let’s face it, from your puppy’s point of view jumping, barking, chewing, lunging, and chasing is fun. So do jumping, barking, chewing, lunging, and chasing. In fact, the things we ignore in life take on a life of their own. Unfortunately this does not work but rather implies tacit approval.Īs goal directed adults we have all learned not to ignore the things in life that need to be changed. Many people try to turn away and ignore their puppy’s jumping. Puppies (like toddlers) will jump, lunge, bark, chew, and chase because they are excited, highly distractible, overstimulated, need to meet that dog or person, and/or want your attention! “But look!” they’ll cry plaintively, unable to take their eyes off the panoply of distractions that vie for their attention.

Imagine taking your kids to Disneyland and asking them to do their homework. In fact, if he’s fixated on something nearby, you no longer exist.

Something else to know about puppies: Where a puppy looks, he is (in his imagination).

Their brains simply do not operate that way. Some may be curious, goal or scent driven, exceedingly brave, excitable, or momentarily fearful, uncertain, or shy.

Puppies are not stubborn and do not wish to defy anyone.

In puppies, we are dealing with a baby mind, one that is distractible, impetuous, lacks impulse control, has no social skills, and a strong sense of PLAY.

Why does m y puppy jump on me, lunge at other dogs, chase the kids, ignore me, chew on furniture, bark nonstop? And what do I do?īefore we begin, it is important to keep a few things in mind: