BowTie Inc. - Training your Puppy

Popular Dogs Series Topic Volume 3, 2nd Edition 2011 a Popular Pets Magabook

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Bypass bad behavior by training your puppy as soon as you bring him home.

BY KIM CAMPBELL THORNTON

L ike a certain brand of paper towels, puppies are the quicker picker-uppers. They absorb everything they see, hear, smell, taste and touch, storing incredible amounts of information about people, places and behavior in their highly intelligent puppy brains. Dont let the information just sit there! Make use of that capacity for absorption by teaching your puppy the good manners and behaviors that will help him become a civilized canine member of your family.

Back in the day, it was once thought that puppies werent capable of learning until they were at least 6 months old. That old chestnut has long been disproven. Beginning at 3 weeks of age, puppies experience a stage of rapid brain development, with EEG measures showing a marked increase in the amplitude, or height, of brain waves while puppies are awake. From this period on, puppies rapidly acquire new skills.

ISABELLE FRANCAIS/I-5 Publishing, LLC/GOLDEN RETRIEVER

When it comes to training puppies, the earlier you start, the better it is for both of you.

Studies have shown that early experiences can shape the physiology of the brain, writes University of British Columbia psychology professor Stanley Coren in his book The Intelligence of Dogs (Free Press). Puppies brought up in an environment with access to lots of toys, problems to solve which is the learning process in a nutshell and ever-changing sources of stimulation had better learning ability and even developed larger brains than puppies brought up in a more limited environment with fewer opportunities for learning.

Think about it: Which puppy will develop better physically and mentally? The one who learns to go up stairs, jump in the car, weave his way between furniture legs and meets lots of different people, or the one who spends all his time confined to a single room or crate, interacting only with family members? That doesnt mean your puppy should have the run of the house far from it! But it does mean your puppy should spend a lot of time with you as you go about your day.

However, its easy to inadvertently encourage behavioral problems when you give your puppy too much freedom too soon; allow misbehavior to become a habit; and let your pup think that hes the one in charge. But early, consistent training can put your puppy on the road to good behavior. Training at home, in combination with a good puppy kindergarten class, provides the structure your puppy needs to learn everything you might possibly want to teach him.

When should you start training your puppy? The earlier the better, say experienced dog breeders and trainers. There is a preconceived notion in society that you cannot start training puppies until theyre at least 6 months to 1 year old, says dog trainer Laura Noll of Jamul, Calif. But theyre such sponges at younger ages, and theyre physically manipulable.