Quotes from Sarah Hodgson

As you come to a stop bring a treat to the floor by the side of your left shoe. As you do, say "Find it!" As your puppy gets the rhythm of the sequence lesson, you may drop the treat by your foot, so you eliminate the posture of bending down to get their attention.

Doing so may signal fun with paper towels or a nurturing acceptance — after all, their mom did lick up their messes — that will encourage a repeat performance. Calmly place your puppy in another room or with a family member as you clean it up.

As long as you don't react to a new stimulation, your puppy won't, either — they'll get conditioned to new noises, sights, and people, often without pause or hesitation.

As I stress throughout this book — and even more so at this particular stage in your puppy's life — keep your cool. Sure, your puppy may act like a stranger at times, but they still identify with you and adore you most of all.

Don't chase your puppy if they don't respond. Practice on-lead for now or use a long line to give them more freedom to explore.

Don't call for negative interaction. Do you have to brush, bathe, or isolate your puppy? If so, don't use Come. Also, avoid using it when you're angry. You'll only freak your puppy out.

If your puppy actively resists following you, don't run over to them; doing that reinforces the resistance. Instead, wave rewards or lower yourself to the floor while you praise them.

Don't repeatedly call or discipline your puppy when they run away. I know the frustration of marching around in the middle of a cold, wet, rainy night looking for your puppy, but if you call or discipline your puppy, you're only teaching them to run from you.

Be especially mindful not to exercise your puppy right after eating. It can not only cause vomiting but also lead to a far more serious, life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and circulation is blocked, known as bloat.(More on bloat later in this chapter.)

If one of your human friends or relations is eager for a kiss, ask them to wait until your puppy is on all four paws before coming down to their level.

Remain calm. Don't let your puppy see that you're angry or frustrated.

This direction is the human phrase equivalent of saying "please." Give the direction once in a clear, strong voice. If your puppy ignores you, don't be afraid to walk closer to them and say it again. Sit is not optional.

Now, the fun part: Scold at the prop — point at it, tap it with your toe, and say "Bad, bad tissue!", similar to telling a toddler that the stove is hot. Do not, however, look at your puppy.

Choose a few different words for different toys — like "toy," "ball," and "bone." Encourage everyone to name the object as they toss it. Soon your puppy will be able to identify up to five different toys.

Step back from the prop and remind puppy to Leave it as you walk on. Direct your puppy to a toy or reward them with treats and attention after you've moved away from the bad, bad tissue. Walk by the prop several times to ensure that your puppy got the message.

Instead of reaching for the toy in their mouth, shake and bounce your toy as you wait for the puppy to release the one they're holding. As they are releasing the object, say "Give," as you toss the copy.

Have a spray deterrents (like bitter apple) around the house to spray objects or furnishings that your puppy may show an interest in chewing. Remind everyone to spray the item, not the puppy.

Your puppy loves your attention and will repeat anything to get it — even if it's negative.

When it's said in a calming voice, you may use soft touches to separate your puppy if you feel they're playing too rough.

Other forms of discipline are often viewed by your puppy as confrontational play.

try spritzing yourself with bitter apple spray or putting a leash on your puppy so that you can guide them off your body part instead of leaping out of their way.

sitting for attention instead of jumping, and grabbing a bone when they're excited instead of little Casey's ponytail. The choice of how your puppy behaves is really up to you.

Avoid prolonged or assertively staring at you puppy when you address them. Either of these actions may be interpreted as confrontational play, making rowdy problems worse, not better. If the puppy cannot be redirected to a toy, stop touching them. To an excited young puppy, touch excites interactive play.

After a dog sniffs you over and accepts your nonthreatening posture, they'll likely retreat. If you need to move away, back away slowly and do not make eye contact with the dog.