|
|
Does your puppy march to the beat of his own
personal drummer? Does he ever move away abruptly when you're petting
him? Does he sleep on the far side of the room from you? During walks,
in a fenced and safe area, does he head off on his own without looking
back? If so, it sounds like you have an independent puppy.
Sometimes it may appear that your independent pup has a hearing problem.
To check your puppy's hearing shake a box of biscuits while he is
asleep, and you are standing on the other side of the room. Does he wake
up right away? If so, it's unlikely that he has a hearing problem. The
independent puppy is just more withdrawn than most puppies. If you have
any concerns about your puppy's hearing, consult your veterinarian.
Suggested training approach
In any training, interspersing commands into play is a nice way to
practice training commands and have fun with your pup. Work to quit
while you're ahead, before your puppy gets bored or withdraws from the
training. Try backing up during play, and let your puppy approach you on
his own. This can build an immediate connection between you and a puppy
who normally acts in a withdrawn manner.
When rewarding your independent puppy, don't be shy about using what
works. For example, if balls make him bounce then reward him with a
toss. Of course, using effective rewards is always a good idea, but with
an independent puppy it's even more important to be aware of what works
best for him because he won't accept any substitutes. If he's not
interested in the training, or the rewards, he'll simply remove himself.
Keep verbal and physical praise warm and sincere, but brief.
Hints
Link commands to everything your puppy enjoys. If an independent puppy
sees a reason to respond to your command he will usually comply. Don't
practice a routine over and over. He'll just get bored and distance
himself. In the same vein, avoid classes where you walk in circles for
an hour. That's a great way to demotivate any dog, but it will really
bore your independent puppy.
Give your puppy a reason to do what you ask and he will happily do it.
Combine commands with everything this puppy loves in life and you will
see his innate intelligence shine through.
© 2008 Mars,
Incorporated and its Affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
|
