18/05/2010 Owners should spend longer on puppy training

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A lecturer at the University of Lincoln and consultant at the university’s veterinary behaviour clinic has spoken about the lack of proper behavioural training time given to puppies. Helen Zulch said that puppies spend less than one per cent of their life for six weeks at “puppy school” and that this was insufficient if owners want a well balanced happy adult dog. She felt that too much emphasis was put on teaching obedience skills rather that praising good behaviour.

Ms Zulch said that puppies were not given the chance to attend training classes and that it did not prevent all problems. She outlined the basic skills a puppy needs to integrate fully and happily into society. The “life skills” include confidence, self control, tolerance of frustration, calmness, ability to listen and respond correctly, manners, tolerance of touch, understanding of rules, ability to make correct choices and polite expression of opinion. She went on to say that dogs needed boundaries and consistency within the boundaries.

Owners should concentrate on the behaviour they want their puppy to adopt rather than punishing it for unacceptable behaviour. Owners should not nag their puppy for being “bad” and should introduce their dog to different situations in life in a positive and encouraging way. Owners are reminded that a firm “no” or a gentle tug on the lead should be enough to suppress any early low-level behaviour. Puppies, she said, should be raised with education at the forefront rather than a training programme that focuses too heavily on punishing any poor behaviour.

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