Sit – With puppy in front of you, put the pup in sit position and say “sit”. Praise and give a small treat or one or the other. Praise seems to work by itself. Repeat several times (like 10 or so). Each day, make the dog sit after going outside, then offer treat.
Come – Use this word constantly when trying to lure the pup. Every time it listens, praise! If the pup does not respond, do nothing. Do not pet, do not yell, just go get the pup and try again. Patience!! LOTS and LOTS!
Down (or Lay) – Some people use Lay down but I strongly believe in “one word” commands. When offering a treat, bring it to the floor until the pup lays flat, then give treat and praise. Again, repeat every time the pup comes in from being outside.
Stay – Place your hand in front of the dogs face (as if to say “talk to the hand” lol) and say “Stay”. Only step back once. Then give treat and praise. Slowly step further and further back. Do not rush it or the pup will come running every time. Just stick with one step for a couple days or so. This teaches the pup the command either way. Eventually, you can move far back from the dog and the pup will stay.
Inside – Say this after the pup goes potty until they get into the house. They will eventually learn that it means go in without having you with them.
Potty – Repeat every time you take the pup out and praise when they actually go potty. This will teach the dog what you want them to do and make it easier on you later when you want them out and in the house pretty quick. (Late for work, etc.)
Poop – If you are really gung ho…by all means, do the same when they are pooping. Say “poop” over and over again and eventually, they will also learn what you want them to do. My 10 year old Border Collie poops on command even if he does not have to go. He actually fakes it! Too funny.
Kisses – Every time the pup licks your face say “kisses” and praise. This is just a nice loving trick, not important.
Kennel – Every time you put the pup in the kennel, say the word. They will eventually go in when you say it as the pup gets older.
Crate training in the kennel – Just be patient first okay? This is the biggest challenge to me. (Besides potty training of course) You have to let the pup cry. Do nothing!!!!! Do not pay any attention to the pup. The first day or so will be tough on the little pup because of separation from the mother so try and crate as little as possible the first 2 days. Let the pup bond with you first!! Then you are alpha dog and training gets easier. Day 3 put her in the crate and stay where the pup can see you but do not acknowledge the pup at ALL!!! Once the pup quiets down, give it 5 minutes, then let it out. Do not praise, pet or give treats, just let the pup out. You don’t want the pup to suffer any anxiety or be expectant of you giving treats or praise. The pup may turn that into more whining in order to get the treatJ Slowly add more time to the crate training and eventually, you will have a silent pup in the crate. Oh, the smaller the space, the better and you may want to put their food in with them so they do not go potty in the crate. Just make sure you take them out enough so they do not have to hold it or have an accident. Then you have another challenge…the pup may begin to think that is where it is supposed to potty if they have an accident. You can’t yell at the pup for going in the kennel. Heck the pup will not understand what you mean if you did not even see them go. Make their kennel comfortable for them. Put some of their toys in there. You can widen out the kennel after the pup realizes it is not the place to go potty. I had a divider in the kennel first, then removed it later. I like the pup to grow up in the kennel they will always use. It will eventually become a safe zone for the dog. It’s like a den would be in the wild. I strongly believe in the kennel because it removes stress for you and the dog. If you have things to do and you can’t watch your pup, put the dog up! That makes life much easier.
Potty training – Okay, be prepared for a week of non-stop watching your pup!!! NO JOKE!! (Do not get distracted talking on the phone, watching TV, reading, etc.) If you want a pup that is potty trained fast…this is the way, the only way. Otherwise, you are looking at a looong road;-) If you can make the time….I suggest you do it. You will thank me in the long run. Plus, you will not have a million stains everywhere in your home. It is best to catch your pup EVERY time they look like they are squatting. If you know they are trying to go potty in the house, yell “No” and pick up the pup right away and take them out until they go. (It may be too late in some cases) If the pup has an accident, clean the area with something strong so you eliminate leftover smell to make the pup think they can go there again. I don’t believe in rubbing their nose in it. I just don’t think it works. You can show it to them if you catch them in the act and say “No”, but other than that it won’t do much good.
