Naming a new puppy is fun--but while there's nothing wrong with choosing a name that's a little bit silly, you should also be practical and thoughtful. Your name should be one you'll use daily for a lifetime.  Selecting a great name makes training more accessible and helps your dog settle into the family. Before picking a name, please listen to these tried and trustworthy tips. 

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

You must put in the work yourself to raise a puppy successfully. A dog trainer cannot fix all of the dog issues and strengthen your relationship with the dog. Dog trainers give advice and suggestions and help educate you on how to solve problems. You have to do the work. You have to put in the time with your dog.

Things you can do right now:

• Check your emotions - let go of all stress, anxiety, fear, and worry.
• Don’t get frustrated with your puppy - they can sense your frustration, and they will also be frustrated because they don’t know what you want. 
• Set the puppy up for success - focus on what you want the puppy to do and learn, not stopping or fixing the puppy.
• Set clear rules and boundaries and enforce them - this includes what rooms they are allowed into, how they must behave in the house, and how they behave on walks. 
• Manage expectations - be patient, and don’t expect your puppy to learn everything overnight. 

Follow the L.E.G.S.® model for behavior issues, created by  Kim Brophey:

• Learned - Understanding how dogs learn helps identify effective ways to teach them new behaviors. Like humans, dogs are always learning, and not just in training sessions. Through learning, all animals learn to adapt to new situations.
• Environmental - The environment is everything an animal interacts with, and we humans can control it to promote a safe environment for our dogs. Examining and adjusting environmental factors helps promote positive behavior from your dog.
• Genetics - Recognizing the unique characteristics of your dog’s breed/s reveals your dog’s natural instincts. Each breed has its own set of genetic instructions that affect its behavior, such as herding instincts or protective tendencies.
• Self - Understanding your dog’s unique personality is crucial for successful mediation between you and your dog. Age, gender, nutrition, health status, and reproductive status all contribute to developing an animal’s distinct character and behavior.

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Over the past year, I have seen too many puppies lacking confidence and self-esteem. They are shy, withdrawn, and fearful of experiencing new adventures and situations.

Six ways to build confidence:

1. Help Them Navigate Through Challenging Situations
2. Don’t Baby Them; Encourage Them
3. Stop Spoiling Them
4. Socialize Them Early
5. Leash Training
6. Other Enrichment Activities

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Many people think dog training is stopping unwanted behaviors or fixing the dog. Dog training is actually teaching the dog what you want it to do.  Dog training should be focused on setting your puppy up for success instead of focusing on their unwanted behaviors. When you change your mindset to teach the puppy good behaviors, the undesirable behaviors disappear.  Focus on what you want the dog to do and reward that behavior. 

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

A therapy dog lends comfort and affection to people in a facility setting or specific individuals who require visitation to deal with a physical or emotional problem.

There are 4 steps to complete Therapy Dog Training.  After these 4 steps, you must take a test and be observed by the therapy dog organization for several public visits with your dog around people. I suggest ATD (Alliance of Therapy Dogs).  My dog, Dixie, and I are members of this organization.

Step 1: Complete a Basic Dog Obedience Program. This gives you the foundation of basic commands, loose leash walking, and proper socialization skills. 

Step 2: Complete the AKC Canine Good Citizen Training and Test (CGC). This test consists of 10 items listed here.  (The AKC CGC is not a Therapy Dog certification)

Step 3: Complete the AKC Community Canine Training and Test (Advanced CGC). This will ensure that you and your dog are fully prepared for the Tester/Observer to meet with you for evaluations and testing. 

Step 4: Get tested and observed by the ATD Tester/Observer. This is all done voluntarily and consists of 3 visits with visits with the tester/observer to complete your ATP Therapy Dog Certification.

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Conditioning your puppy for bad weather, such as heat, cold, rain, and snow, is essential. This helps build their confidence and allows them to realize that bad weather is part of their life. In this episode, I explain how to do this safely and effectively. 

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Here is a list of the top 6 dog training mistakes:

1. Chastisement upon return
2. Confusing rules
3. Rewards for bad behavior
4. Constantly offering food treats
5. Getting angry
6. Poor communication

You can read the article here: https://www.topgundogtraining.com/post/dog-training-mistakes-avoid-them-if-you-want-a-well-behaved-pooch

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

One way puppies can explore the world and learn about things is with their mouth. They pick up everything from the ground and bite stuff because they have no other way to explore and learn about physical objects. In this episode, I teach you a method to stop puppy play biting. 

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

3 Steps to Potty Train Your Puppy. More info in my book Potty Training Your Puppy.

1) Your puppy should always be supervised or confined while indoors. Supervise your puppy closely or have them in the crate. Supervised means you will see it taking place if your puppy has an accident. The only exception to this rule is if you know your puppy has just gone potty and now has an empty bladder or colon. Then, you may be able to get away with a brief period of less intense supervision, but never leave your puppy completely unsupervised. Watch for sniffing, crying, circling, panting, or suddenly wandering away from you and going off to the corner or near a wall. These are signs that they need to go potty.

2)  Take your puppy outside on a leash as often as possible. Puppies 8-12 weeks must go out at least every hour, supervised while on a leash. Set up your walk to match your puppy's patterns. Take them to their place to go potty. Now say “go potty, go potty” very enthusiastically.  Keep repeating this command until they do. If they do not potty after 10-15 minutes, bring them back inside, put them in a crate for 10 minutes, and then bring them outside again to repeat the process.

3) Give your puppy praise and a treat immediately after they go potty outside. Choose a high-value food reward you will use to give your puppy once they go potty outside on the grass. Praise your puppy for going potty on the grass, provide them with a lot of affection and say “good boy or good girl” so they understand that you are praising them for doing something good.

More info in my book Potty Training Your Puppy.

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

There are two times when you need to use your puppy's name when training.  One is if there are multiple dogs present. The other is to get them to come to you.  Don't overuse the puppy's name, or there will be no value to it. 

Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan