On your puppy’s first day home give them a complete tour of your home on a loose leash. This is the pup’s first introduction to whatever limitations you want to put on their future access to your things like your furniture, golf clubs, books, the kids’ toy shelves, etc.

This is not the right time to use the word “no.” Instead, use a guttural “Yack!” combined with a very slight tug-and-release of the leash as he sniffs to warn him away from untouchables. He’s new at this, but just saying, “Puppy!” in a happy voice may be enough to get him to look at you - “Good dog.” Get back to your happy chatter as you move on.

All you are doing in this first stage of new puppy training is letting them know by means of prevention (a growl sound he understands) what things he will have to avoid in the future. Let him sniff first because he’ll remember the objects more by scent than by sight. He looks up at you and he is praised which adds to the reinforcement. Think of it like this: “No!” means “Don’t do that!” whereas “Yack!” means “Don’t even think of doing it!”

Chit-chat is natural and pleasurable to both of you; but in the beginning the puppy will only pick up on their name because everyone uses it in connection with things he finds pleasurable - play, food or praise. If you use the word “din-din” many times while fixing his meals, that word will stand out in the midst of a five minute speech on nutrition as a clue to the observant pup that he is about to eat. When training your new puppy remember that the human-canine teaching language is based on short, simple words that are consistently applied to specific actions.

This first guided tour teaches your puppy the layout of their new home, what it looks like, smells like, even feels like (rugs, carpets, tile, wood) and that some things are off limits even to adorable puppies. There is one more important lesson he is learning from this adventure: that you are his new Leader, the He or She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed.

If you do not take on this role, the puppy will. Somebody’s got to do it, and they’ll fill the vacancy immediately! You may be familiar with the saying, “Lead, follow or get out of the way.” Every dog is born knowing it and continues to live by it!

Once the house tour is over, now it’s down to the specifics of training a new puppy. Show them where their water bowl will always be. Let them investigate their crate. Next, take them outside while still on their leash to the exact area where you want them to eliminate. Stand there patiently until they do. Praise quietly as they go, after which you can make the same kind of tour outside, with warnings about flower or vegetable beds, bushes or plants.

Or you may live in a city and by law (and responsible dog ownership) must curb your dog. Go to the quietest no-parking spot you can find. If you remain on the sidewalk, they will naturally want to join you, so stand down in the street with them. It will take time, plus your casual, confident attitude, to get them used to the noise, the confusion and the speed and size of trucks and taxis. Don’t do any outside walking tour at this time. Wait until their immunizations are complete, by which time they will also be more acclimated to city life.

Note: If the original trip home from where you picked up your new pup took more than an hour, reverse the two “tours” to let them eliminate first.

Collar Puppy Training when done properly will trick your puppy into thinking you are playing games with him.