Paul Lasky Puppy Plans!

It is not a replacement for classes. Classes are not a replacement for puppy plans. They both have great value.

Everyone who gives you advice will believe in what they are telling you. Generally speaking they believe it has “worked” for them. Unfortunately, every single dog is an individual and every household is different, so what works for one dog does not universally transfer to another dog.

Firstly, well done for reading this, the good news is your puppy is most susceptible to learning good habits up to the age of around 16 weeks! So, you thought you would just chill for a few weeks until puppy classes start? Scientifically this isn't best practice.

Dogs can find going out stimulating and at times scary, being aware of this, is even more important with puppies. Chasing traffic, barking at other dogs and not wanting to go for a walk at all. As my dog training career has progressed this subject has become very close to my heart. Here are some top tips for more enjoyable walks for both you and your puppy.

You need to create a nice consequence, when your dog does something you like, so that they do it more. Just like training a muscle at the gym or learning any new skill, it takes repetition. We also call something nice, a reinforcer.

"How do I get my dog off the sofa?" is one of my favourite questions to be asked. I beam back "wouldn’t it be easier to keep your dog on the floor, before it has got on the sofa?"

Think of training your dog as a bit like bringing up a child. It is a progressive experience that spans the entire early, adolescent periods and into adulthood. Unlike our children who move out and look after themselves, our dogs are our children for their entire life and can learn bad habits at any time.