Your puppy has been taught to sit for attention. We have used the marker “YES,” said in a high/excited voice, followed by treats, as reinforcement. You can also use a clicker to continue this process. We use only small amounts of treats (little bite-sized bits broken from larger treats or Pawtree kibble) to reinforce our training. The key to puppy training is consistency and praise.
When the puppy is doing an undesirable behavior (i.e. chewing on something they shouldn’t) it can be helpful to have a sound you make to correct them. A high pitched “AH AH” (sort of like the sound a dolphin makes) can get their attention and get them to stop what they are doing. As soon as they stop, give verbal praise. If you are consistent with this it can be a great way to correct your dog even when you are far away from them.
The best thing you can do for your puppy is to enroll in obedience classes or follow online classes. With our personal puppies, I have enrolled in Baxter and Bella Online Puppy School. This program offers online classes, office hours, and live coaching. There are even sections to read before you bring your puppy home including how to start training and how to prepare your house for your puppy’s arrival. There are also a number of free resources available on the website. If you are considering signing up for this resource, I encourage you to do so today so you can start preparing for your puppy’s arrival. You can use our discount code: CK25 when you sign up to save 25%.
