Puppies For Dummies Quotes

“Until your puppy learns a strong Stay,”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Buy a commercial puppy play pole or make one yourself by tying your puppy’s favorite toy to a pole or stick. Bounce the toy along as you say to your puppy, “Go get your toy!” If your puppy loves to tug, teach them to release on the word Give by periodically waving a smelly treat in front of their nose and rewarding them as they release the toy.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Gather two or more toys or balls. Toss one toy, saying “Fetch” or “Go Get It!” and cheering your puppy on as they race towards their toy. If they turn to you with the ball, say “Good puppy,” but then produce and play with another similar or identical toy as you race away in the opposite direction, saying “Can’t catch me.” If your puppy chases you with the toy, say “Bring,” but don’t demand that they drop the toy at your feet. Puppies, like kids, have to learn to share. If your puppy ends up at your feet with the toy in their mouth, just ignore them as you play with your object. When and if they spit out their toy, say “Give,” requiring that your puppy hold still on all four paws before you toss the toy you’re holding. Now pick up the first toy and start the game over from the top. Play three to five times, and then quit before your puppy loses interest.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Go into an open area with your puppy and have the leader tell the players when they can start to wiggle and dance! If your puppy begins to get excited, instruct “Wait.” Repeat “Wait” in a strong voice as you stop abruptly. Toss a toy for your puppy to reward their self-control!”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Puppies love to play Chase, but you’ll notice a theme in the games I describe in this chapter: Always encourage your puppy to chase you, not the other way around.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Walk your puppy in the open sunshine. Walking in the sunshine is safer because most ticks prefer to hang out in shaded, woody areas.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“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.)”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Leave your puppy a favorite chew toy. Rub the toy between your palms so that it smells like you.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“To a puppy, any attention is good attention. If you focus on your puppy when they’re mouthing, running away from you, or eating an unacceptable item, your body language and actions are saying “prize envy!” Your puppy will likely grab more things or, worse, grab the forbidden items only when you’re not looking.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Using a head collar or front-clip harness, use incentives to urge them to walk with you. Don’t tug or drag your puppy, because they will resist following you even more.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Avoid leaving your puppy alone outdoors for long periods. Unsupervised confinement often breeds boredom and territorial behavior. Put those two together and you’re likely to end up with a barkaholic.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“For example, to prevent your puppy from barking every time someone comes to the door or walks by, have treats and toys at the ready and use them to distract your puppy.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Socializing your puppy at a young age ensures that they learn to greet, play, and interact naturally with other puppies and grow into a dog who’s less reactive to the sight of their species.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“You can’t correct a fearful puppy; doing so only increases their fear. Use favorite rewards (play Find It and other favorite games) to counter-condition a happy reaction to life’s unexpected occurrences.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“A territorial puppy, no matter the breed, almost always turns into a dangerous dog.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Use a treat cup or clicker to help your puppy associate outsiders with a positive reward. If your puppy is relaxed enough to take a treat, ask the visitor to cast a handful of treats on the floor and play Find It.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Once a day, while your puppy is eating a meal or chewing on a bone, approach them with the treat cup and reward them, at first, by tossing a treat at their feet and saying “Find it.” Do not reach down or take the food or object away.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Condition your puppy to a positive sound, such as a shaking treat cup or a clicker.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“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.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“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.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Hopping on the couch and standing eye to eye gives many puppies the impression that it’s playtime. A better approach is to have your puppy stay on their place, looking up to you with parental reverence. As your puppy matures, you can permission-train them, as detailed later in this section.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“The reason your puppy snatches things off the countertops when your back is turned or you leave the room is that — obviously — they want to avoid being challenged by you. Basically, they're thinking, “Whatever is on the counter must be great, so I’d better grab it when all backs are turned, or else I’ll have to give it up.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Belly Up: If your puppy likes a belly rub (most do), pair calming rubs with the words “Belly Up!” After a week or so of pairing the word with the action, say “Belly Up!” during greetings.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Anytime your puppy looks, leans, or lunges at the children, either step between them (block) or move in the opposite direction as you redirect them to another diversionary game or activity (refer to Step 2).”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“After they understand that your approach isn’t threatening, the next time your puppy grabs something you don’t want them to have, find a treat cup, shake it, and call them over. Say “Give” as you offer a treat. Praise them when they release the object and help them find a chew toy. You can say “Where’s your toy?” to encourage them.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Start with making a treat cup. Making a treat cup is easy; refer to Chapter 5 for specific instructions. If your puppy hasn’t made the connection on what a treat cup is, shake the container and offer them treats until they associate the sound with getting a treat. Spread treat cups all over your home. Keep the sound consistent and familiar by using the same kind of cup in every room. Each time they chew or play with a toy (yours or their item), approach with a treat cup and toss treats on the ground as you say “Find it.” When your puppy drops the object, say “Give” as they release it. If the object is a bone, just let them go back to chewing it. Don't touch it or take it away if you don’t have to. If the object is a toy, toss it and continue playing for several minutes to highlight the bonus of playing together. If the object is one of your belongings, pick it up and put it out of reach.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Having objects scattered all over the floor can confuse your puppy, who may think that everything on the ground belongs in their mouth.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Proactive training involves teaching your puppy what to do rather than waiting until your puppy is misbehaving to call attention to the wrong behavior.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“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.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies

“Other forms of discipline are often viewed by your puppy as confrontational play.”
― Sarah Hodgson, Puppies For Dummies