TRAINING AND PLAYING

Dogs are pack animals, and every pack has a leader. If you don’t assume leadership, your dog will. But when he’s still a puppy, he really wants you to be the boss. During a dog’s first six months, he’s especially willing to be trained.

You can — and should — teach the basics yourself, but professional help can make things easier. Ask your breeder, vet or pet store manager to recommend an obedience school. Just remember: A well-disciplined dog begins with a welldisciplined owner. If you are inconsistent in your training, your dog will be inconsistent in his behavior.

COMING WHEN CALLED

Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, not punishment. Food and a loving voice are excellent positive reinforcements, so begin at mealtime. Call out your dog’s name, then add “come.” If you do this at every feeding for a week, your dog will automatically come when you call even if it isn’t time to eat.

Reinforce this outdoors. Take a few steps away from your puppy, then call the puppy by name, and the word “come.” When he does, praise him and, from time to time, give him a small treat. (You shouldn’t provide a treat every time to reinforce behavior because random rewards work better. Your puppy really wants your approval, not snacks.)

“Come” is the most important of all commands. It can prevent your dog from running into traffic, tangling with the dog next door, or frightening a neighbor’s child.

OTHER BASIC COMMANDS

To get your puppy to sit, say “sit” while you push down on his back near his tail, and hold a treat just above eye level. As he stretches his neck for the treat, the pressure on his back will cause him to sit down.

“Stay” is a redundant command. As long as the puppy is sitting, he is in the stay position. Once your puppy has the sit command perfected, practice it from farther and farther distances. When you want your puppy to stay, just command him to sit. Use the sit command to keep your dog from leaping on visitors. Then call out, “Come” and he will return to you (earning both the admiration and gratitude of your visitors).

To get your puppy to lie down, first train him to sit. Then gently pull out his forepaws as you command “down.” When he’s settled on the floor, hold him down gently with one hand while giving him a treat (at floor level) with the other.

“Heel” is the most difficult of these common commands. First, your puppy must have a firm grasp of what “sit” means. Then, fit him with a lead and training collar (which you should remove whenever you’re not using it for training). With the puppy sitting at your left say, “Heel” and begin walking. Chances are he will shoot ahead. Pull back gently on the lead until you are even with him and repeat the command. Walk at a deliberate, even pace, gently but firmly pulling your puppy even with you, at which point you repeat the “heel” command. Eventually, your puppy will move from one place to another in response to your pointed finger, and will sit at the sound of a finger snap.

FUN GAMES

Puppies love to play. Yours will probably like to chase rolling (and later bouncing) balls, and he loves tug of war. Some experts say owners should not engage in competitive play with their dogs because it pits the dog against the master. Your puppy would disagree with these experts. (If you do play tugging games, remember that they are m re fun for the puppy if he wins often; also, remember that you are still the boss.)

Like children, puppies may become bored if they don’t get enough attention. Often, bored dogs lie down and eat grass, which can irritate their digestive systems. If your puppy vomits grass, the best cure is to play with him more.

PUPPIES AND DOGS ARE FRAGILE

No matter what breed you have, and no matter how large or strong it is, your dog is fragile. Don’t wrestle with your dog; it’s a game you must win in order to maintain control, and once you do, it will demoralize your dog. Even worse, you could seriously injure him because a dog’s limbs aren’t designed for that kind of rough play.

Don’t strike or grab your dog unless it’s necessary to prevent him from biting someone. If you must discipline him, clap your hands near his ears, or slap your end of the leash in your open palm, again up close.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE

Even if a dog has the run of a large backyard, he needs daily exercise. At least one walk a day is recommended; if possible, you and your dog can hit the bricks two or three times a day. Make the walk as long as you can, but beware of overwalking small dogs — they may have to take a dozen steps to each of your strides, so they get lots of exercise walking just a half block!

Remember, well-exercised dogs suffer fewer physical ailments than sedentary dogs, are less likely to be overweight, and are happier and better behaved.