Puppy Train Successfully

By Avoiding Inverse Training

Any training you practice should never be aggressive or frightening to your puppy; especially during early learning stages.

Logical, (from the standpoint of DOG psychology) and gentle training is crucial in forming a happy and loving relationship between you and your dog. It sets the stage for your dog to love you, to automatically obey you and to practice good manners.

To puppy train is not what we might usually consider as "obedience training". Anything that a puppy is exposed to or allowed to do can be considered puppy training.

If you relate to your puppy correctly then obedience will just naturally fall into place. Before you can expect willing obedience you first must provide the right relationship, (using "dog" psychology).

All of us actually "train" our dogs very well... it's just a matter of "what" exactly we are training them to do.

Inverse Training: 90% of pet owners accidentally or unknowingly teach their dogs and puppies to do exactly the opposite of what they want them to do.

One example of 'inverse training': dogs who don't come when called. This is a very common problem, but guess what? It's only because the dog has accidentally been "taught" not to come... even during the process of attempting to teach the come command.

Another example of 'inverse training': Puppies or dogs who are making messes in the house and have accidentally been "trained" to do so.

Granted, the owners did not intentionally do this. As a matter of fact they were diligently striving for just the opposite. But in not understaning the dynamics of the k9 mindset, the puppy or dog was accidentally taught the exact opposite of what the owner wanted.

What we need to keep in mind is that this is not the puppy or dog's fault. It's no one's "fault" and laying blame on the dog is not going to accomplish anything but to destroy the fun and enjoyment of owning a pet.

With that in mind, here's a very simple analogy that may shed some light on puppy training, (or any dog training in fact). It's like being behind a securely locked door. You can try forcing it open and you might very well "destroy the door" in order to force it open. OR you can find the KEYS with which to open that door, and it will open easily and with "no damage to the door".

This is the very idea with which I approach the concept of puppy training (and dog training). There are very simple keys based on the psychology of the dog, that when put to use, make the experience of owning and training a pet exactly what it was meant to be: fun, enjoyable and a journey of easy and quick learning and positive experiences together.

Again, this door is like your dog's mindset and we don't want to slow down learning or destroy or break his spirit with the use of pain, force or anger.

With this in mind, we need to understand that dogs do not function according to the rules of "Human" psychology or logic. We may be tempted to attribute human qualities to them but that doesn't mean they possess them.

Puppy training (and/or dog training) is SO much easier when we teach our dogs in a way that "they" can easily comprehend.

Puppy Training and Inconsistency:

One big setback, for example, is inconsistency. Even if you're using the exact right technique in teaching a command or shaping a behavior, a few instances of "inconsistency" will completely throw the learning proccess off.

It may appear then that your dog is stubborn or stupid etc. BUT in reality, the inconsistency has confused him.

The inconsistency makes the boundaries "unclear" and in turn, almost forces the dog to test those boundaries. This is not his choice, but the only way he knows how to react... his instinct if you will.

Interactions and Environment:

Training your puppy starts with your everyday interactions with him. One of the biggest responsibilites you have that can make the puppy stages so much easier is "controlling" the environment of your puppy in a calm but assertive way.

For Example:If you allow a puppy to run loose unsupervised, what do you suppose that the puppy will do? "Natural puppy behavior" is what he will act out, but this will probably include chewing on the wrong things, eliminating in special places...

This is because he hasn't had time to learn "appropriate" behaviors instead.

So you must prevent these "normal but unwanted" puppy behaviors from occuring in the early stages and teach behaviors you DO want (and that are incompatible with the ones you don't want).

Once your puppy or dog forms a solid habit of practicing acceptable behaviors,(like pottying outside, chewing on appropriate chew toys etc), then he will become a trustworthy companion.

Some folks take the low road and are able to force, beat, or scare a puppy from doing certain things. This may even appear to work for a while in some instances. BUT 1.it's not reliable, 2.it only works temporarily and 3.it's at the expense of a dog's spirit and it's respect and trust for the owner.

Fear is not respect; love and trust cannot be forced, they must be earned.

(Fear can also cause problems with biting, because dogs have a fight or flight instinct. And if a dog cannot use the flight instinct when it's afraid, it may feel forced to revert to the fight instinct.)

When addressing compulsion or pain avoidance based methods on a puppy, we need to consider some logical questions: Do they work the way you thought they would? Are those methods even enjoyable for owner and/or puppy? Is the relationship rewarding? Does it feel like the puppy is working for you or against you? (If it feels like your puppy is working against you, it's not because he wants to, but because he is confused and the training methods are inappropriate.)

It is very much possible to easily teach your dog to view you and follow you as his leader and for you to be in control without having to resort to pain or force.

Please keep in mind that your puppy or dog WANTS to please you, and if he's not doing as you wish during his puppy training, (or otherwise) is because he is confused or afraid or both.

My philosophy is: Forget what "tradition" has taught you, and do what works for you AND the dog. If a training method "works", you won't have to use force and things will come together naturally.

Even if it's well meaning, don't let yourself be misled by bad advice. Give the gentle method using dog psychology a chance to work for you and you'll see just how easy it is. You WILL be pleasantly surprised.

The puppy potty training process all happens during the times of critical developmental stages in the life of your puppy. In "25 Secrets to Raising the Perfect Puppy", I've laid it all out for you. Not only does it show you exactly how to get your puppy potty trained, but you will begin to see how these methods develop a cooperative bond between you and your puppy so you can enjoy your lives together.

Psychology and Positive Reinforcement

For psychological insight on positive reinforcement you might like to visit

Psychology Power
There's also a health benefit to be had when you puppy train using positive and gentle behavior shaping methods. It's better for your own blood pressure and emotional well-being. Not only do things fall into place much easier, but unpleasant methods, frustration, cleaning up all those messes, and finding your stuff chewed up don't have to be a part of it.

Instead of working against you during puppy training, you will find that he works "for" you. This makes for a much better physical and emotional experience and in turn relieves stress with a happy and harmonious relationship; as opposed to having to use force and fight with problems all the way.

For more on your dog and your health visit

Dog Training and Health

Your Puppy's 2nd Best Friend!

Crate Training and Your Puppy

(When I adopted one of my shelter dogs, he did not like the crate at first. But because of the methods I used he now goes and lays in there voluntarily. The crate is "his little domain"; it's safety and security for him.)

Make sure your puppy isn't in the crate too long for his age and capacity to hold it. Make sure your puppy ALWAYS has something safe to chew on.

If you think about it, when you go on vacation, if your puppy has gotten used to a crate during her puppy training stages and has to stay somewhere, it will be much less stressful on her if she can have her trusty little home. Even when she might have to stay at the vet's; they do crate them and if she's gotten used to a crate, it will be much easier on her.

Again, during puppy training, when your puppy is in the crate, there is no opportunity for her to "get into trouble". This means less negative feelings about some bad puppy behavior that could occur when you're not in attendance, and more happy time together.

It gives you the opportuniy to be pleased with your puppy most of the time, and this will result in a more secure and happy dog in the future. You can make the time you puppy train a stress-free, and happy time together as opposed to constant messes and frustration.

Note---Remember-1.don't use the crate as an excuse for not spending enough time with your puppy. Your puppy needs a sufficient amount of exercise. And 2.Make sure the crate is introduced properly!

Make it a priority when you puppy train to enjoy being with your puppy. Make your time together a happy experience for the both of you. If you find it's not, then re-evalute the approach you're taking and change it so that it's fun for both of you.

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