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Old 06-20-2008, 04:17 AM   #3
SET Yorkies
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaumont Texas
Posts: 285
Default Socialization / Routines (guide part III)

Getting Along With People:
Since dogs must live in a human world, it's important for them to deal well with people. Early, positive exposure to lots of strangers, with praise or rewards for good behavior, will help your puppy grow up to become a well-behaved dog.

Invite friends to your home to meet and play with your puppy. Ask adults to crouch down and avoid sudden movements when meeting your puppy... from the pup's point of view, a human is HUGE. If you don't have young children of your own, invite friends' or neighbors' children. We also routinely expose our yorkies to both younger and older children. (Be sure to instruct children in how to handle the puppy, and always supervise play!) Puppies that are not raised around children can develop aggressive behavior toward children when they grow older. Small children, who tend to run around and make high-pitched squealing noises, frighten yorkies or prompt yorkies to growl and nip at them.

As soon as your Yorkie’s shots are complete, begin taking him to public places such as parks, where he can meet lots of friendly people. Also, make a point of introducing your dog to people of different ages and races, people in uniforms, and so on; dogs may become very wary when confronted with people who seem "unusual" in any way.

It's important to remember that you are teaching your puppy to be comfortable with people, and to behave himself around them. Behavior that seems cute in a puppy, such as nipping and jumping, is no longer cute when the dog is an adult! Whatever you don't want your dog to do as an adult, he should not be allowed to do as a puppy. Teach the puppy the behavior you want, and discourage the behavior you don't want. Gently but firmly correct unwanted behavior right from the start, and you'll have a well-behaved adult dog.

Your well-socialized dog can still be a good watchdog. Your dog is smart enough to distinguish between people who you welcome into your home, and people who should not be there. Your Yorkie will also be keen to noises before you hear them generally altering you if properly taught. I have two girls that will alter with a nudge and never make a sound. Barking is not the only way dogs communicate.

Dealing With New Experiences:
Everyday experiences can be very frightening for your Yorkie. A pan dropped in the kitchen, a vacuum cleaner, or a ride in the car can become traumatic events that the dog will try to avoid forever after.

To prevent this, introduce your dog to as many new experiences as you can think of. Use rewards and encouragement to make the experiences positive, so your dog doesn't develop fears. (Remember to keep new experiences very non-threatening, and avoid startling the puppy)

For example, to accustom your puppy to a vacuum cleaner, first allow him to explore and sniff it without turning it on. Praise him or reward him as he explores. Then, when your puppy is a comfortable distance away, you may start up your vacuum cleaner, stand near it, and call your puppy. If he approaches, encourage him and praise him, or give him a reward. Gradually encourage the puppy to come closer to the vacuum. Repeat this experience several times, with lots of praise and rewards, and your puppy will soon have no fear of the vacuum. Never allow your children to tease your puppy with vacuums, brooms, etc.

To get your puppy used to riding in a car, first get in the car with him and play with him, or give him a reward. On the next "outing," drive a few yards while someone holds your puppy and praises him. Work up to drives of a few minutes; keep them short so your puppy won't get sick. Afterwards, play with your puppy so he associates the car ride with a pleasant experience. Let me digress here for just one moment on this subject…. Most deaths in small dogs who are allowed to ride in cars are cause by either being slammed in a door or being accidentally run over. If you are going to allow your Yorkie to ride, as we do, always always always secure your dog prior to cranking the car or shutting doors. Also, crate your dog prior to leaving if she is not taking the trip to insure he doesn’t scurry out without being seen. Hurting your pet with negligence is incredibly devastating, so do be careful. If you have children, please make sure they are aware of the dangers that lurk in the driveway (for them a well, btw).

Other experiences to work on with your Yorkie include getting into his crate or kennel, walking on a leash, walking on different surfaces (such as tile, carpet, gravel, sand, grass, and snow), climbing steps, and hearing the doorbell and telephone ring.
You can use the same approach to accustom your puppy to experiences that might otherwise be ordeals for both of you! Try the reward approach when brushing your puppy, giving him a bath, and clipping his nails. You should also teach your puppy to let you handle his paws, his ears, his tail, and even open his mouth without a struggle. (Remember, start with very short sessions and use praise, play, or rewards to keep the experience fun.) This basic groundwork with your puppy will make life much easier when your vet needs to examine him!

Keep new experiences upbeat and positive, and your dog will soon be a confident and happy companion.

Please Contact us for Recommended Readings and further information on training….

Tips for Housetraining Puppies

Housetraining
As with most things in life, there are hard ways and there are easy ways to get things done. Rubbing a Yorkie’s nose in a mess is an inappropriate way to housetrain. This method DOES NOT teach anything. The dog has no idea what you are doing. Trust me, I grew up in the business and have seen things done “the old way.” Didn’t work then and doesn’t work now…. I will not sell a dog if I even get a hint the potential buyers doesn’t understand the problem with this kind of negative reinforcement. Using ample amounts of supervision and positive reinforcement is the easy way.

Yorkies can be hard to potty train, Every potential Yorkie owner needs to know that. NEVER, NEVER believe “15 week old puppies trained to paper or puppy pads” That is absolutely impossible… It may take several months for a small breed puppy to be completely trained as their bladder is the size of a small lima bean. Almost 100% of the time, breeders who say puppies are paper broken by 15 weeks or using a pet door are grossly over exaggerating and setting you up for unreal expectations……. I’ve been working with these dogs for many years…. I actively train my puppies every day, even using biosensor training from the first few days of life. I have NEVER had a puppy trained by 15 weeks!

Starting Off On the Right Track
The first course of action in housetraining is to promote the desired behavior. You need to:
• Designate an appropriate elimination area outdoors (same place every time)
• Frequently guide your dog there to do his business and give him your command (time to potty, etc)
• Heartily praise him when he goes

By occasionally giving a food reward immediately after your dog finishes, you can encourage him to eliminate in the desired area. The odor left from previous visits to that area will quickly mark it as the place for the pup to do his business.

Timing Is Important!
A 15-week old puppy should be taken outdoors every one to three hours. Older puppies can generally wait longer between outings. Most puppies should be taken out:
• After waking in the morning
• After naps
• After meals
• After playing or training
• After being left alone
• Immediately before being put to bed
• At least one time during the night

Last edited by admin; 06-22-2008 at 06:36 PM.
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