Leash training your puppy is an essential part of obedience and discipline.  Leash training will get your puppy out of the house to learn socialization skills and how to behave in public. These are called Leash Manners. Here are three tips to help leash train your puppy. Keep the walks short, about 5-10 minutes. Long walks for young puppies ages 8-24 weeks could result in them losing focus and energy, enabling them to check out and develop unwanted behaviors.Focus on discipline and obedience while on the walks. Have your puppy go out in your driveway or sidewalk and sit. They must learn patience and be desensitized to distractions such as other dogs, people, and cars.Finish the walk with a calming ritual on the puppy's bed when they come inside from the walk. This conditions them to develop the habit of exercise followed by relaxation. You can use a Kong, Lickimat, bully stick, or a deer antler to help them settle.  More tips can be found in my book Leash Training Your Puppy, available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVGJ3DPQOnline course, Leash Training Your Puppy: https://www.puppytraining.dog/leash-training-your-puppyPuppy Training and Puppy Vaccines https://www.puppytalkpodcast.com/can-you-take-your-puppy-outside-before-it-is-fully-vaccinated/Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Potty training a puppy is very simple is you follow the basic guidelines in this episode. Manage the puppy's space in the houseReward the puppy immediately after they go potty outsideBe consistent; take the puppy out at least every hourDon’t use pee pads. Combine potty training with obedience and leash training.Potty Training Your Puppy Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNGRNXNXPotty Training Your Puppy Online Course: https://www.puppytraining.dog/potty-trainingClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Your puppy's age and breed can determine the amount of exercise your puppy needs. Some dogs will need more than others. This episode advises determining what your puppy needs for exercise and mental stimulation.  The book mentioned in this episode is Leash Training Your Puppy. Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

The place command is an essential tool in the training arsenal of any puppy owner, enabling them to establish control over their furry friend's movements both indoors and outdoors.  Follow the three steps in this podcast and read the article from Top Gun Dog Trainings website or read the transcript for this podcast. Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Oftentimes, puppy owners are unaware of their puppies' need for mental stimulation. However, once they are educated on how to introduce it into everyday life and form a more structured schedule for their puppy, owners will see results almost immediately. While there are endless ways to mentally stimulate your puppy, I am going to recommend some of my favorites in the list below, which have proven to be the most beneficial for new puppy owners and their new puppies. 5-10 Minute Training SessionsStuffed KongDoggy PuzzlesIn conclusion, mental enrichment is very important for your puppy, and there are endless opportunities to enrich your dog's mind. Look to your local pet stores or online for toys that will exhaust your puppy with little effort on your part!Here is the article written by Catherine Wilson: https://topgundogtraining.com/blog/f/3-fun-ideas-for-indoor-mental-stimulation-for-your-puppyClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

As a professional dog trainer, I have never been asked to help make a puppy more hyper, but almost every new puppy owner requests some training on how to make their puppy more calm. To achieve the goal of puppy calmness, it’s mostly about trimming the fat…or eliminating things you are doing that overstimulate the puppy. In addition, most new puppy owners unconsciously create and reinforce the unwanted hyper puppy behavior.  Calming hyper behavior in your puppy is about down less, not more. Here are 3 tips to help make your puppy calmStop talking to them so much with commands they don’t know in a high-pitched voice. It’s gibberish to them, similar to Charlie Brown’s school teacher. The puppy has no idea what you say, and your voice is a form of affection that will get your puppy more hyper. “Talk low, talk slow, and don’t say much.” John Wayne.Stop touching them so much when they are hyper - this will only reinforce the unwanted behavior. Save affection as a life reward when your puppy is calm and tired.Ensure your puppy gets enough sleep, exercise, mental stimulation, and leash training and is on a strict schedule for discipline. Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

The goal of raising a puppy is to prevent unwanted behaviors from developing so that you can live harmoniously with your puppy. Most new puppy owners allow most unwanted behavior to develop, even reinforcing the behaviors in the puppy. The behaviors I get called the most to help “fix” are play biting, jumping, barking, chewing, and pulling on the leash.  Once the puppy has associated the unwanted behavior with something that’s ok for them to do, they will keep doing it. It only takes 1-2 times for the puppy to rehearse an unwanted behavior, such as play biting, jumping, barking, or chewing furniture, for the behavior to be programmed into their software (brain).How to prevent unwanted behaviors:Stop reinforcing themStop allowing them to developFind replacement behaviorsClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Focusing on your puppy being calm in the crate lets you create a list of ways to achieve this goal. I will help you get started with this list. It is up to you to expand on this list and follow through.Help your puppy develop a positive association with the crate by feeding them their meals there. Also, playing games with your puppy, going into the crate to fetch a toy or treat, and calling them out of the crate playfully and happily will allow them to associate fun and good things with the crate. Help your puppy learn to relax in the crate and that it’s not a torture device. Try putting the crate in a location where the puppy can see you. Try moving it to the living room if they cry or bark with the crate in the bedroom. Explore your options and see what works best. Place a bully stick, Lickimat, or stuffed Kong in their crate with them.Help your puppy learn that it’s not the end of the world when you leave. If your puppy is very attached to you and can’t leave the house without them crying in the crate, you will have to start with a very short duration of 30-60 seconds and build up from there.  Once you get to the puppy being calm for 10-15 minutes, you should be OK.Help your puppy desensitize to departure cues, such as the sound of the front door closing or you grabbing your keys to leave. This is the hardest part. If you are unsuccessful on your own, you should consider hiring a CSAT (Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer) to help you. This is usually done virtually so you can work with any CSAT anywhere in the world. These are just a few things you can do to help your puppy not bark or cry in the crate. Here is a great article from the ASPCA about separation anxiety.  This is not my expertise. I am only here to pass on some useful resources to you.https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxietyClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

This is a great question. In this podcast episode, I will discuss why so many puppies are being rehomed and how to prevent this from happening to your puppy. Why Are So Many Puppies Being Rehomed?Owners don’t have time to raise and train a puppy.Owners have unrealistic expectations for their puppies.Owners realize they have the wrong dog for their lifestyle. Puppy develops behavior problems that are hard to fix. How to prevent rehoming your puppyChoose the right puppyProvide very clear rules and boundariesPut them on a structured scheduleGet obedience training for them ASAPGet leash training for them ASAPSet them up for successUse this website https://dogtime.com/ to look up breed characteristics before getting a puppy. Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Here is the List of some Essential Equipment for New Puppies:Dog Bed for relaxation and teaching placePlay Toys for enrichmentKong® mental stimulation toysLickiMat® mental stimulation feedersDog Puzzles for mental stimulationBully Sticks for heavy chewersDear Antler for aggressive chewersNylabone® Puppy Starter Kit for moderate chewers6” Snap Leash for leash training and walkingCollar for use with the snap leashLong Line for enrichment and teaching recallFront Clip Harness for training walksRear Clip Harness for enrichment walksCrate for safe place confinementPlaypen to give your puppy a place to playBaby Gates to help establish boundaries Training Treats for reward-based trainingDog Clicker for a marker during trainingClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Isolating your puppy in the house and yard during their critical socialization period of 4-16 weeks is a big mistake.  Lack of puppy socialization during the critical period of their life is the number one reason they develop serious behavior problems as adult dogs.Here is the link to a resource on the importance of puppy socialization from  Robert K Anderson, DVM  http://trainyourdogmonth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/APDT_TYDMRKLetter.pdf Here are some great places to take your dog for socializing, enrichment, and practicing obedience commands with distractions. These stores require your dog to be on a leash, but also consider parks and other outdoor places to socialize off-leash.Home DepotLowesAce HardwareBass Pro ShopsTJ MaxMichael'sHobby LobbyDicks Sporting GoodsPetcoPetsmartThis is just a short list of indoor socialization stores where you can bring your dog or puppy. Be sure to contact the store in your area before going, as individual locations may have specific dog rules.Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Every puppy has different needs. Below are the ingredients, and it’s up to you as the puppies owner to determine the exact recipe. This list is presented in order of importance for creating a happy, healthy, and obedient puppy. ExerciseMental StimulationSocializationEnrichmentPlayAt the very end is affection. Don’t substitute affection for any of the other components listed above. Use affection as a “life reward” for the puppy doing things well and following your rules, boundaries, training, etc. Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Mental stimulation is often referred to as enrichment and covers a wide variety of activities. They often appear to be fun games or clever ways to feed snacks, but they're really so much more than that! You can read the full article here.Here are 4 reasons why your dog must have mental stimulation.EntertainmentImprove AnxietyWear Them OutProvide An Outlet For Natural BehaviorsClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

This is a great exercise to build the relationship between the handler and the puppy. We start this in the house with no distractions, then move it outside with distractions so she can get focused back on me when she has reactivity to other dogs or people. Here is the video teaching my puppy Dixie the Watch Me command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4RVPIfmXPsClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

I found this post on another dog trainer Olivia Mergl of Mannered Mutts Dog Training on Instagram. Below is her post text. The image that goes with the post will be placed on a blog post here. No is not a cue!!No is not a behavior, it’s not something your dog can perform.You might mean one thing like stop, come here, stand still, lie down, drop it, down but it’s likely very unclear to your dog what you want.Stop telling your dog no and start asking for a behavior they know instead, tell them exactly what is it you would like them to do.Set your dog up to succeed!!Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

There are two ways to be more patient with your puppy, and I will discuss both in this episode.  Patience will go a long way when raising a puppy.  Give your puppy time to learn and adapt to your lifestyle. Be patient when teaching new commandsBe more patient overall as they grow upClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

In this episode, I discuss the pros and cons of having your puppy sleep with you in your bed.  Remember, that is my opinion, and the opinions of other dog trainers and vets will vary.  The Complete Puppy Training Manual is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

In this episode, I share what I did during my dog Dixie's First Day Home on May 5, 2020. I immediately taught Dixie her name, leash acclimation, and set boundaries in the apartment.  Notice my tone, words, and leadership skills when I communicate to Dixie in this video https://youtu.be/f-qA1fYUp40.Here is a link to the podcast episode, The First 5 Things to Teach Your New Puppy. View my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual.Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

I use three types of walks for puppies that I train. Each of these walks is unique and can be combined to achieve multiple goals in one outing.The Training WalkThe Enrichment WalkThe Potty Break WalkRoughly 40% of your walks will be potty breaks, 40% will be training walks (loose leash walking), and 20% will be enrichment walks.FREE GIFT:  Download the chart below to help identify unwanted minor puppy behaviors and teach a replacement behavior. Practice reinforcing the replacement behaviors without reinforcing the unwanted behaviors. Download the chart here https://www.puppytraining.dog/bemod-chartClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

The top 3 reasons why your puppy's behavior is not improving: You are reinforcing the unwanted behavior.You are trying to "fix" your puppy instead of teaching your puppy.You are not being consistent. Use this FREE chart below to help identify unwanted minor puppy behaviors and teach a replacement behavior. Practice reinforcing the replacement behaviors without reinforcing the unwanted behaviors. Download the chart here https://www.puppytraining.dog/bemod-chartClick here to purchase my new book, The Complete Puppy Training Manual. Discover a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy with my new book Leash Training Your Puppy.RESOURCES:Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.comSponsor Website: http://topgundogtraining.comDale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan