Learn to Speak the Language of "Dog"

Now that you are home with your new puppy, you will probably be very tempted to just sit, hold, cuddle and spoil him or her while so young, helpless, cute and adorable.  Think again.  This gorgeous bundle of fur needs "training" early on.  You do need to let them settle in, show them around the place, and make their transition into your home as pleasant and happy as possible.

Your first responsibility is to set up a leadership hierarchy.  It might just be that your puppy thinks of you and everyone else in the house as another dog.  Now, if this is the case, and it probably is, each person will either be a leader or a follower in the eyes of this new puppy.  And....you probably would like all humans to be leaders.  Right?  And the dog should be the follower.  So, set up your leadership hierarchy in this way, having all humans in the lead positions and all dogs in the following position.

All humans should communicate leadership to the new puppy as soon as possible.  Being the number one, in charge kind of a puppy is just too much for any puppy to take on.  They might become hyperactive, destructive and even aggressive in this position.  Your puppy will feel much safer once he knows all humans are in the lead and in charge of him or her.  Your puppy must learn to take directions from all humans in the household.

Eye Contact

• Try communicating approval or disapproval using eye contact with your puppy or dog
• Look your puppy right square in the eyes.  If you are pleased with a behavior, smile just as big as you can smile, even make your eyes squint while smiling so big
• If you are upset and disapproving of your puppy's behavior, make a horrible frown on your face and look very deeply disappointed right straight into the puppy's eyes

Doing the above, should help to encourage your puppy or dog to watch you for direction.  If you practice the eye contact approval/disapproval concept, the dog will learn by your facial expression what is expected of him.  Remember that your puppy or dog DOES want to please you and make you happy.  You just have to communicate to the dog just what it is that makes you happy about them!

Our Body Language Speaks Volumes to Our Dogs

Try some of the following tips:

• Stand tall and straight in front of your puppy or dog to help lead and direct the dog
• If you stand behind, the dog will think he is in the lead
• Bend over, and the dog will think you are ready to play, bend over your dog only when you are ready to play

Dogs Understand More Our Sound of Voice Than The Words We Say

• When you give a command like Sit or Come or "NO" for the wrong place to potty, let this always be your serious sounding voice.  Speak clear and sound like you mean what you say.  Follow all your commands with a praise and a treat when they obey.
• Your happy voice should be when you Praise.  This sound should be warm and comforting.
• When you want to discipline with voice, sound very disappointed, do not yell, but just make your voice sound so sad and disappointed
• Try to avoid a high-pitched squealing voice sound.  This tone will most likely work against your efforts to train a puppy.  You should not use a high-pitched squeal for praise, commands or disappointments.

Other Things To Keep in Mind When Learning To Communicate With Your Dog

• Always remember that dogs and puppies love attention.  They do not care if it is negative or positive attention.  Strive to show the puppy attention in positive ways to reenforce the things you want the puppy to do.
• If the puppy finds a behavior that gets your attention, they are likely to repeat that over and over again.  Your goal is to teach the puppy positive ways to get your attention.
• Remember that your puppy loves to learn and he or she would rather make you happy and proud, you must show him or her how.