12 to 16 Weeks Training Goals

As your puppy gets older, you will see more and more of its personality developing.  By 12 weeks of age, puppy's brain is fully developed.  Puppy is really ready to start learning now.  This is actually the best age to begin serious training.

If you are doing the training, remember these key points:

• Attention is good, whether it is positive or negative attention, all attention is good to your puppy, he wants your attention, he needs your attention and he will do anything, good or bad to get your attention.  You, of course, want to encourage positive attention getting habits.
• This is the time to really tighten up the rules on housebreaking, chewing, nipping and jumping

Stationing Puppy

• Create a place for puppy in each room he is permitted in
• You choose locations that are free from stairs, electrical outlets and other dangers (or that can be easily accessed by puppy)
• Select an immovable object
• Secure the teaching lead on this object
• Allow no more than three feet of reedom
• Help puppy identify this area by decorating it with a towel or dog bed and chew toy
• Whenever you are going to spend time in this room, bring puppy along and station him on the lead, saying "settle down" as you hook him up
• Do not station him here alone
• If he seems restless, he may need to eliminate or exercise
• If he whines, cries or barks, ignore this

The stationing technique helps to teach puppy he does have a place in the room with you, a special designated place.  Anytime you notice the puppy is calm or chewing on a bone or playing a toy while stationed, give him lots of praise for this behavior.  This is teaching puppy to be a well behaved dog in the future.

Teaching Puppy the Importance of His Name

• Place puppy in a sit position
• Position yourself about six inches in front of him or her, standing or kneeling, have your feet facing his paws
• Keep back straight
• Snap your finger above his nose
• Call his name as you rapidly draw your finger to your eyes
• When he looks up, stop!  Look away after your puppy breaks the stare
• Try to get at least three seconds of eye contact