Puppies that are not exposed to other dogs during this socialisation period are more likely to develop aggressive or fearful responses to other dogs later, just as puppies that are not socialised to humans often develop behavioural problems.

A. Be positive with your pup.

B. Puppies learn by association

Training Sessions Should be Short and fun.

The puppy has a short comcentration span, so limit your training to 5 minutes twice a day.

Training Should be Regular.

Puppies and adult dogs need to be trained at least once a day, everyday.

Puppies Should be Handled Regularily

Routine procedures such as brushing and grooming will be accepted and enjoyed with regular handling.

Be Consistent with Your Commands

Pick just one word which you are comfortable with for each command and stick it. Usually a single word is easier for the puppy to recognise.

Make Sure You Have the Puppies Attention Before you Give the Command

Use the puppies name and don't shout if it appears not to hear. It's hearing is 4 times better than ours so shouting won't help.

Always Talk to Your Puppy in a Friendly Tone of Voice

This can be as much of a reward as a food treat. Train your puppy in lots of different places and at different times.

Toilet Training

This is something that takes love and usually plenty of patience A young puppy should be put outside after he awakens from sleep, a boisterous game, after his last meal in the evening, and last thing at night, before you retire. Don't expect him to "hold on" all through the night. He will do his best, but in the initial stages of his training, there will be the inevitable "puddles".

Never shout or scream at a puppy.

It only confuses it or worse still, cowers.

LOVE PERSUASION AND REWARD are the requisites for the successful training of a young PUPPY.

Training a young puppy

This is something that takes love and usually plenty of patience.

Young puppies should always be put outside after he awakens from sleep, after a boisterous game, after his last meal in the evening, and last thing at night. He will do this best, but in the initial stages of his training, there will be the inevitable 'puddles'.

If you see him breaching the rules, say "NO" sharply, growl disapprovingly at him and pick him up and put him outside (in fine weather), or on newspaper or a litter box in the winter. Never smack him, he is only exercising a normal function. Rubbing his nose in it is useless and cruel. It is surprising how soon a Chihuahua will learn.

He can be taught not to jump on furniture, etc. by the same patient method of what I call voice training.

Training to the lead can begin at 6 to 8 weeks of age. I always use a very light collar (made of ribbon) and allow the puppy to get used to the feel of it, then when he has stopped trying to scratch or shake it off, I attach a short light lead or a piece of cord. Let him run loose under constant supervision ( he could get tangled and choke) with the lead loose and trailing. When he gets use to that, the next step is to pick up the trailing end and go where "he" wants while you follow. If you can eliminate this step and try to pull him into line at this stage, he can become mutinous or refuse to budge or worse still, become frightened.

The next step is the one where you, the owner, are going to have to play on all the persuasion keys to get him to go where 'you' want. Call him, walk away until all the slack is taken up (by now a stonger string, cord or lead is needed), squat and call again. If he still does not move, bring out a piece of his favourite goodies and present it to him. Unless he is a very very timid puppy he will run forward to receive his reward. Repeat this method several times. Never train a puppy more than five minutes at a time because, like small children, they will easily tire of any one lesson or game. Puppies differ very much in the time it takes to train them. Some are naturals and others take twice as much time.

Never take him outside your yard until he is fully trained to the lead. It is not advisable to take any puppy away from the house unless immunised against parvo, hepatitis and distemper. Once he is used to the lead, then, and only then, take him on the quieter streets (footpaths) graduating to noisier ones as his confidence is established.

Keep the puppy on a short lead. Once he is "used to it", say "heel" in a firm voice and pull (not jerk) him back to walking level with the line of your knees. Always train your puppy to walk on your left.

A well trained dog should be a pleasure to take out. Don't allow him to "relieve" himself on prams, shops or anywhere that can give offence. This kind of bad conduct only provides ammunition for the guns of the 'dog hater'. It is rare to find a street that has no trees or a verge on which a dog caught short can relieve himself.

Never shout or scream at a puppy. It only confuses it or worse still, cowers.

LOVE, PERSUASION AND REWARD are the requisites for the successful training of a young pup.

The Puppy

Bringing up a puppy is only a mater of common sense. You must feed the pup right (and should have a diet sheet from the breeder for that) and generally it is treated like a baby. Babies cannot go to the toilet by themselves, you have to train them. If you do not have a lawn or garden area, you must take your-puppy out regularly. Puppies, like children, need to go more than grown-ups, so it is simply up to the owner. When there is a mistake, it is your fault.

Dogs that live with the family become creatures of habit. However dogs that live in kennels are treated very differently. You clean up after them. Grown males always urinate around to let bitches know they are about the place.

Brushing and cutting the nails must be done regularly for good grooming. Puppies pick up simple words of command very quickly, providing you use the same words firmly and only a few of them, such as come, sit and down. Patience is always needed here and you must reward for prompt and good behaviour, not always with a tidbit, but with a pat and a kind word. It is the tone of voice that matters.

If you are interested in training your puppy to a higher degree of work of all kinds, then Obedience Classes are recommended.

When a child has good manners, it is a joy to behold. So with a pup, but you have to teach it. Patience and kindness are recommended. Rough people are not attractive either in speech or manner, and to see a dog roughly treated is loathsome. Of course, firmness is sometimes needed but spare the rod and improve the child.

Certainly we are soft with our dogs, and they are not the best behaved in the world, but they are devoted to us, and we love them, we hope in the best way. Dull people are boring, so are dull dogs.

A regular bed is needed. Warm and out of the draft. A pup cannot tell you when it is sick except by its behaviour. You must inspect its stools and see they are firm. There are simple remedies to put this right. Consider whether the diet is correct for your particular pup.

Ears need to be cleaned gently with a cotton bud once a week. Treat the pup's ears as if they were your own, he cannot do it himself. Check to see that the eyes are clear and bright. Using a dog shampoo and warm water, bath him regularly. But be sure to dry thoroughly. Many dogs get a bit of skin trouble despite all precautions. Consult your vet, as there are some excellent ointments that get to the root of the trouble.

By Colin Curtis