The dog-owner relationship

Most dogs are eager to please and this should be encouraged during training. You must be prepared to show clearly what you require and give praise when it has been done properly – your dog must be trained to the standards you want.

Dogs learn by associating cause and effect. If a dog does something and as a result experiences pleasure, he will associate that action with pleasure and want to repeat it.

Similarly, if an action results in an unpleasant experience, he will not want to repeat the action. This can be used in training to ensure that when a dog does what is required he is rewarded; if he does not then he is corrected.

Correction and reward must both by immediate. If in training he does exactly what you want, don’t hesitate to make a fuss of him.

Before you commence any training, make sure that your puppy knows his name. This will help build confidence between the two of you.