House Training Tips

Learn Some Important Tips and Tricks When Training Your Dog

At Atlantic Animal Clinic, we offer important tips and tricks to train your puppy. Visit us today to learn more or call (772) 310-3099.

Puppy Training "Manual" and Random Thoughts

1. Puppy does not speak English yet
2. Its new life is totally confusing
3. It came preprogrammed with a couple things
4. It will understand a series of commands faster than it will random bouts of yelling

For the next 10-14 days, the puppy will be on a leash with a responsible caretaker, or it will be put in a safe place (a carrier 3-5 puppy spaces long)

Every time the puppy goes into the carrier, you will say kindly, “GO TO BED.” Put the puppy into the carrier, give it a toy, and say, “GOOD GO TO BED.”

Every time it comes out of the carrier, you attach the leash and say “GO FOR A WALK?” You then take it to the bathroom area. When you get there, you put the puppy down on a short leash and say, “HURRY UP” only once every two minutes. After it goes, be happy and say, “GOOD HURRY UP!” If it fails to go, when you return, it goes back into the carrier (Good GTB).

When you watch TV, do homework, balance your checkbook, tie the puppy to your left ankle. This is the “heel” side. It will get used to being on your left side, and you still have a good idea where it is when it is not on its leash later. This is also the side that you will go for walks because you face oncoming traffic, and the dog will be away from the cars.

Feeding Routine

“SIT”….Someone holds the puppy so that it is facing you in a sitting position and looking up. “GOOD SIT!”

“WAIT” Right hand open and in the puppy's face like a stop signal. Turn your hand over, and with two fingers catch the puppy’s attention and bring the fingers up to your eyes as you say “WATCH”. As soon as you make eye contact, say “OK.” Slowly put the food down and release the hold on the puppy to let it eat. It is still on a leash. 

Since a puppy will not overeat, put a lot of food in the bowl, when it is done, put it back in the carrier (Go to Bed, Good GTB) for five minutes, then take it out to go to the bathroom area (Go for a Walk, Hurry Up, Good HU). Please use “WATCH” instead of NO.

Leave the Puppy In the Carrier (GTB Routine)

Crying is very annoying, but you must get past it. The verbal command is “SEE YOU LATER.” Grab your key, jingle them, and walk out the door. If the puppy is crying, wait six minutes, return, and go thru the HURRY UP routine. Return to the house, sit watching TV for 15 minutes, and then try it again. Repeat until the puppy realizes that you are coming back. Sometimes a KONG toy with a little peanut butter or beef baby food smeared inside it will help to distract the puppy.