Text by: David Harris

Video and Training by: Cindy Jacobs

Featured puppy: Gus von Prufenpuden

www.vonjacobs.com

The fastest way to train a dog is slowly". I don't suggest you skip steps here. Take your time. Develop excellent communication. Keep working on your conditioned re-enforcers "That's It and your Clicker" and keep working on building motivation to please. Make your training sessions short, happy and always try to end them on a high note with the puppy making positive movements in the right direction. Puppy training is fun. If you're not having fun, if your puppy isn't having fun then you're rushing things and skipping steps. Back off and go for a walk with your puppy. This is no time to lose your cool or try to force anything on your puppy. Never train with your puppy if you are distracted, watching T. V. working with the other dogs, watching the kids or generally to busy to give the puppy all your undivided attention. Your puppy is trying to learn, it is not fair to him to not give him your full attention at this point. Remember that teaching the puppy to target your hand is critical to speeding up the use of shaping techniques. If your puppy isn't targeting (following your hand) then you will have little success with the methods portrayed in these videos. Go back and work on this step if you're having problems getting the puppy to sit, down, sit up or come. Not targeting, not having motivation and trying to move the puppy forward too quickly are common reasons the puppy would not be doing well at this point in the training. As always please feel free to ask questions and please enjoy your puppy and have fun. Click here to view Day Five of the PuppyTraining Vlog . David Harris