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Most often this type of
behavior is exhibited by puppies, small dogs, or dogs
which have never been trained not to jump on people.
Dogs will jump up on people for one reason: to get
attention from you. This is why when he is a puppy you
will want to avoid petting him when he jumps up.
Teach your puppy or dog to
"sit" for attention or praise of any kind. When he jumps
on you, use your lowered tone of voice and lean towards
the dog saying "OFF."
He will have no choice but
to back away from you and when he does, teach him to sit
only after he has his bottom firmly planted on the
ground. Offer him calm praise for obeying you. Soon all
you will have to say to your dog is "sit" and he will
comply readily because he knows he will be rewarded.
Crate training is not
putting your dog/puppy in a cage or jail, and you are
not being cruel if you follow these tips. Dogs feel
secure in small, enclosed spaces, like a den. Dog crates
make excellent dens. It is a safe place for him to stay
when you're away or when you cannot watch him.
Watch your own dog around
home. Where do you find him napping in his deepest
sleep? Under the table, desk, chair? Yes, somewhere out
of the traffic pattern where he has a roof overhead and
a little privacy. A crate offers security, a den with a
roof, and a place to call his very own where he can go
to get away from it all.
There are basically just a
few steps in "crate" training and they are as follows:
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Choose a crate the same
size as your puppy/dog. He should only have enough
room to stand up, turn around and lie down. His crate
is for sleeping or for a safe place to be when you
cannot be with him. If you get a huge crate for a
small dog, he may eliminate in one end and sleep in
the other and you will have defeated the whole purpose
of using the crate (dogs do not like to eliminate
anywhere where they sleep or eat). If you have a puppy
who will grow into a 60-70 lb. dog, you may have to
buy two different crate sizes or purchase a crate with
a divider you can move as he grows.
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Use a single-word
command for your dog to enter his crate, for example,
"KENNEL"; throw in a treat or piece of kibble; when
the dog/puppy enters, praise him and close the crate
door. Increase the time he spends in the crate before
you let him back out. Remember, your dog still needs
time to play and eliminate. Maintain a regular
schedule of trips outdoors so as not to confine him
too long.
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As a general guide, your
puppy can stay in his crate comfortably for as many
months as he is old plus one month (2 mth old pup + 1
mth = 3 hours in his crate).
Always take your puppy/dog
outside to the same area in your backyard to eliminate
on a leash so you can praise him when his job is
finished. This will take the guesswork out of his visits
to the backyard. And don't forget to play with him and
exercise him. He needs this kind of stimulation for his
mental and physical wellness.
Remember, your dog or
puppy is a pack animal by nature and he will be looking
to you for direction. Your job as a responsible pet
owner is to give him that direction so you can enjoy
each other as true companions should
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