Chapter 1
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This is my take on training. I, Zoë Kelley, have found the methods below to work best for me. Everyone, including local vets, dog trainers, and any other person on the planet, could have a differing opinion on this. That is fine. This is simply what I have learned while training puppies in our home. I have bred dogs for years, and worked to train my certified goldendoodle, Henry, for even longer. This is what I do while training pups for good behavior along with certified therapy work! I am partnered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and truly love what we do. There is more on that below, under the “Training a Therapy Pet” section of this article.
First off, I keep treats in my pocket when training any dog, at all times. These tiny treats can be small and easily breakable. As long as the puppy likes them, anything could work. I usually buy Beggin’ Bacon Strips and tear them into small pieces for easy training. I have learned over the years that positive reinforcement is much greater than negative reinforcement.
Me, Zoë Kelley, taking our newfypoo puppy at the time, “Maggie,” on a field trip for socializing. Maggie now lives with her guardian home in Nashville, TN and is a part of our wonderful KelleyDoodles breeding program. More on Maggie here.
Anytime the training of a puppy is taking place, you need to be the leader in every situation. Learn to say the word, “NO!” Learn this quickly and USE it. Puppies want to please you above all else. They want to make you proud. Example: if a puppy bites you too hard on the arm while playing, instead of reacting to this in a frightened way, I would quickly reprimand with a sharp, “NO!” and continue on with playing. If they keep biting, you keep reinforcing. Pups are very similar to children – they will learn quickly what they can, and cannot, get away with! I jokingly relate our baby pups (7-8 week olds) to my daughter, Elle James. They are much like shark toothed, teething, adorably rotten babies. They want you to adore them, and to also make you proud! But they will test you as an owner and try to get away with murder! Okay, maybe not murder. Maybe more like… the murder of beloved objects in your home – think shoes, plants, table legs… you get the picture!