I’m getting excited – Christmas is coming! (Himself is being a Grinch though..)
One of the things I love most about Christmas is that there are lots of Morecombe and Wise repeats on TV. I’ve got fond memories of sitting down in front of the Morecombe and Wise Christmas show during my childhood in the dark ages.
One of my favourite clips is Eric Morecombe aiming to play Grieg’s Piano Concerto with the orchestra conducted by the late, great Andre Previn. Andre challenges Eric at one point: “You’re playing all the wrong notes!” Eric answers “I’m playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order..”
Puppies (and older dogs) are learning every minute or every day. With help they can learn the right notes, left to their own devices they might learn the wrong notes.
Puppies learn to do what works for them. They do the things that get them a reward.
If biting someone makes them react and become a fun, moving toy, he’ll bite more and more.
If stealing that sock allows him to feel good through chewing, he’ll steal that sock whenever he gets a chance.
If peeing and pooing relieves an urge, he’ll do it where ever he is, in a nice warm house on a nice furry rug…
If he finds some yummy food on the coffee table, he’ll help himself.
Puppies do not understand “right” and “wrong”.
Saying “no” and telling your puppy off isn’t helpful for two main reasons:
- He doesn’t understand English. He’ll recognise you are cross, but have no idea why
- It gives him no clue what has caused your anger, so he can’t learn how to avoid it – instead he might learn to avoid you, and start to hide his misdemeanours.
That’s not to say you should never say no of course, but you need to say no in a way that makes it clear to your puppy what you want instead.
You could show him you want four paws on the floor instead of jumping up. Or teach him to chew his toy rather than your socks, or to bite a tug toy rather than your fingers.
Teach your puppy what you want instead of telling him off for things you don’t want. Then he’ll learn to play the right notes to get your approval and affection.
I tell you what to do in my book, Pesky Puppy to Perfect Pet, available from Amazon, as paperback or Kindle. It’s a puppy bible and contains everything you need to know to teach your puppy to play the right notes.
If you want to find out how I raised my current dog, our story is in Chaos to Calmish: Diary of a Pesky Puppy’s First Year, also available from Amazon and also on special offer this week.
Keep training,
Carol