Rules for Puppy Success

1-Keep puppies separated from other dogs, (brief socialization is ok). You want to bond and be the source of fun to your puppy.
2-Don’t let puppies roam large properties or yards unsupervised for extended periods of time (this is where bad habits start,supervised walks and exercise are recommended). Kennel or crate puppies after training, exercise and potty breaks.
3-Start potty crate training as soon as you bring your puppy home. Give frequent potty breaks and crate puppy if you can’t give 100% of your attention.
4-Puppy’s should be crated 45 mins before and after training sessions, this will insure your puppy is eager to participate in your desired training activity, and afterwards gives the puppy time to think about the training session.
5-Start treat training as soon as you bring your puppy home, find and follow a reward based program for basic commands.
6-Socialize your puppy to your environment, people, vacuums, car rides, cats, get your puppy swimming (start with shallow water that gradually gets deeper), quad rides and walks down town.
7-Don’t give your puppy chew toys. They will promote a hard or fidgety mouth, an antler or bone is better for keeping teeth clean and strong.
8-Start retrieving with your puppy as soon as you bring your puppy home, make it fun, get them hooked, but don’t over do it, 4 retrieves a day 3 times a week is plenty. Use the types of training bumpers your puppy with use in future training, not just toys or birds/wings. Always leave them wanting more. Try to get them on a live bird at least once a month.(Never let your puppy retrieve with older faster more aggressive dogs, your pup could get discouraged by losing the race or have the bumper taken from them by the older dog)
9-Start teaching your puppy to use their nose early on at 9-10 weeks of age. Get them excited about a scent (wing, ball with bird scent or food). Drag the scented item around the yard or area you are using and hide it. Bring out your puppy and let them search it out.
10-Keep a structured and consistent daily routine. Schedule feeding around training to get the most out of treat training sessions.
11-What you teach your puppy between 8 weeks and 4 months is crucial to setting them up for future success. Follow a training program that sets your puppy up to achieve its highest potential .
12-Have Fun !
- Jared Rocha