Cheat Lake Animal Hospital

Puppy Basics Class

Contacts:

           Liz Banta - Instructor

            (304)282-6512

            (304)594-1124

            liz.banta@gmail.com

            Katie Penco - Instructor                                                      

           (304)594-1124                        

          wvukatie87@hotmail.com         

Syllabus is subject to minor changes each session.

Week 1 :

Orientation – NO PUPPIES, JUST PEOPLE!

• Discuss the syllabus
• Paperwork – contact info, puppy info, what to get from class, survey, pay fee
• Hand out Supply bags
• Food Deprivation
• Keep puppy on leash at all times when not in the hospital
• Items to Bring:
  • Leashes – no flexi leashes
  • Treats
  • Brush
  • Treat pack
  • Poop clean-up kit
  • Supply Bag

• Proper Attire

• No sandals
• Comfortable clothes

• Training Methods:
  • Training should be FUN!!!
  • Positive reinforcement (treats, praise)
  • CONSISTENCY and PATIENCE
  • Clicker training (or voice marker)
  • Luring and targeting
  • Synchronization
  • Importance of chains in training
  • I will train you to train your puppy!!!
• Importance of Homework
  • Short training sessions (~3 minutes)
  • Keep a journal – problem solving and progress

Homework : Read handouts and fill out paperwork; BRING BRUSH AND SUPPLY BAG TO NEXT SESSION!

Week 2:   -

Socialization

• Important to expose your pup to as many situations as possible
• Be confident
• Pup needs to experience different people, places, sounds, animals, etc
• EXERCISE:
  • Socialization circle (with treats)

Dealing with Testing

• Your puppy will test you!!!
• This is the time to establish yourself as the pack leader or parent of the puppy (NOT MASTER!)
• Don’t let him get away with it!!
• Develop trust with your pup
• EXERCISES:
  • Elevation
  • Hover
  • Roll
    • Praise when being quiet and “Nope!” when misbehaving

Heeling

• Why is it important?

• Correct position
• Practice Heel

Vet Lecture: Grooming

• Bonding experience for you and your pup
• Important way to notice health issues
• Establishes your control
• Be sure to praise!
• EXERCISES:
  • Brush coat
  • Clean ears
  • Brush teeth
  • Nails
  • Roll – check bellies

Homework: Practice bonding with your pup by grooming and physical touch with lots of

praise!

                     BRING FUNKY HATS AND UMBRELLAS TO NEXT SESSION!!!

 Week 3:  -

Socialization Circle (with funky hats and umbrellas)

Vet Lecture: Dental

Timing

• Catch your pup doing it right
• Do not dwell on mistakes – just expect the correct performance
• PRAISE BIG!!!
• Don’t ask, Tell!
• Praise should be immediate – 10 seconds (research)
• Shaping
• EXERCISES:
  • Begin to lure into “Sit”
  • PRAISE BIG when the pup is close - shaping

Homework: Practice timing with “Sit” command – caveats (don’t overdo it!)

Expose your pups to other people (including men and children) using reward and confidence

Week 4:

Socialization Circle

Housetraining

• Timing, timing, timing!
• Anticipate!
• Importance of Confinement – handouts: Acquainting pup to den, advantages)
• Confinement while at home with pup
• “Better Hurry”

Chewing (Handout – caveats)

• Always have appropriate chew toys for your pup (VET?)
• Deliver meals in Kongs (a special puppy toy) to keep puppy active during the day
• Make sure that TOYS do not resemble household items!
• Ensure that all harmful objects are stored out of pups reach
• EXERCISES:
  • Practice “Sit”
  • Begin to lure “Down”
  • “Heel”

Vet Lecture: Nutrition

Homework: practice sit, down and heel SPARINGLY and don’t forget to use lots of

         praise!

Watch for signs that your pup needs to go out; when he does, pair it with “better hurry” and TONS of praise!

Week 5 :

Question Session

• How are the pups doing?
• Any questions for the vets or trainers?

Vet Lecture: Parasites and Toxins

Obedience Training

• EXERCISES:

o       “Heel”

o       “Sit”

o       “Down”

o       “Stay”

Shaping

• When teaching new commands
• Consequences affect actions (short term)

Homework: continue to expect performance of these commands and continue to praise

Week 6:

Vet Lecture: Spay/Neuter and 1^st Aid

Obedience Training

• New Command: “Roll”

• EXERCISES:
  • “Sit:”
  • “Stay”
  •  “Down”
  • “Heel”
  • “Roll”
• Bite Inhibition

Homework: practice all commands (remember time limitation!)

Week 7:

Fun Week!! Practice what we have learned!

Obedience Training

• New Command: “Speak”
  • Sit
  • Stay
  • Roll
  • Down
  • Heel
  • Speak

Vet Lecture: Exercise

Homework:  Plan and Practice for Graduation

Week 8: 

Graduation

• Photo slide show!
• Demonstration of accomplishments!
• Handout of diplomas!
• Other treats and goodies!