by David Ireland

Created on: November 26, 2008   Last Updated: December 23, 2008

Motivation is the key to any animal training technique but remember your are dealing with a puppy. There are three simple motivators: food, comfort and willingness to please. The use of a combination of all three will give you the best chance of success. Consideration should also be given to using a collar with a long rope attached.

Make the process fun, you must be prepared to laugh, you must be very patient and repetitive. Try to keep the training sessions to a few minutes each time and a few times each day. Choose a time when puppy is alert so, after a sleep,(puppy's not yours!), is always good. Make the training appear to be a game. Puppies will concentrate for seconds at a time, some say for the flap of a gnat's wing, don't expect too much too early.

Begin the process by giving puppy a cuddle, use pup's name often. Practice rolling away a few feet, see if pup comes to you voluntarily, praise it when it does. Keep moving just a little further away and wait, if pup keeps coming to you for more play, you are on a winner. ALWAYS praise and sometimes rewards with a small treat. After a few days of this, try just calling pup's name when it is otherwise distracted, if it comes again praise/reward. At first you might have to lie down or squat so that pup knows there is a game on. Avoid scolding pup at any time, training will cease to be fun and interest will cease also.

As a supplement to the process, the collar and rope can be used by calling and gently drawing pup in once its attention is gained. This method is generally not required with willing and intelligent puppies however, as with children, there will be those that are less motivated than others. Some choose to use toys as a part of this process, they are not necessary and can cause more distraction than they are worth. Puppy needs to want to come to you, with or without toys, because it loves you and you are its friend.

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