Training Rules & Equipment
1. RULE #1: PATIENCE AND PRAISE
You must patiently demonstrate to your Pug what each word of command means. Guide him with your hands and training leash, reassuring him with your voice, through whatever routine you are teaching him. Repeat the word associated with the act. demonstrate again and again to give the Pug a chance to make the connection in his mind.
Once he begins to get the idea, use the word of command without any physical guidance. Drill him. When he maks mistakes, correct him, kindly first, more severely as his training progresses. Never slap him with your hand or the leash during the training session.
When your Pug puppy does what you want, praise him lavishly with words and with pats. Do not continually reward your Pug puppy with dog candy and treats in training. The dog that gets into the habit of performing for a treat will seldom be fully dependable when he can't smell or see one in the offing. When your Pug puppy carries out a command, even though the performance is slow or sloppy, praise him and he will perform more readily the next time.
2. RULE #2: TRAINING VOICE
When you start training your Pug, use your training voice, giving commands in a firm, clear tone. Once you give a command, persist until it is obeyed, even if you have to pull the Pug puppy to obey you. He must learn that training is different from playing, that a command once given must be obeyed no matter what distractions are present. Remember that the tone and pitch of your voice, not loudness, are the qualities that will influence your dog most.
Be consistent in the use of words during training. Confine your comands to as few words as possible and never change them. It is best for only one person to carry the dog's training, because different people will use different words and tactics that will confuce your Pug. The dog who hears "come", "get over here", "hurry up", "here Rex", and other commands when he is wanted will become totally confused.
3. RULE #3: TRAINING LESSONS
Training is hard on your Pug puppy and you. A young dog just cannot take more than 5 minutes of training at a stretch, so limit the length of your first lessons. Then you will gradually increase the length of time to about fifteen minutes. You'll find that you too will get impatient when you stretch out a training lesson. Before and after a training session have a play period, but do not play during a training session. Even the youngest dog soon learns that training is a serious matter and fun comes afterward.
Don't spend too much time on one phase of training, or the dog will become bored. Always try to end a lesson on a pleasant note. Actually, in nine cases out of ten, if your dog isn't doing what you want it's because you're not getting the idea to him properly.
4. TRAINING EQUIPMENT
You will nedd a metal-link collar, called a choke chain, consisting of a metal chain with rings on each end. Even though the name may sound frightening, it won't hurt your dog, and it is an absolute MUST in training. There is a right and a wrong way to put the training collar on. It should go around the dog's neck so that you can attach the leash to the ring at the end of the chain which passes over, not under the neck. It is most important that the collar is put on properly so it will tighten when the leash is pulled and ease when you relax your grip.
The correct way to hold the leash is also very important, as the collar should have some slack in it at all times, except when correcting. Holding the loop in your right hand, extend your arm out to the side, even with your shoulder. With your left hand, grasp the leash as close as possible to the collar, without making it tight. The remaining portion of the leash can be made into a loop which is held in the right hand. Keep this arm close to your body. Most corrections will be made with the left hand by giving the leash a jerk in the direction you want your Pug dog to go.
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