If you have read enough of my website or watched enough of my videos you know that I run a tight operation when it comes to managing dogs and their behaviors. I do this using leadership, structure, clear expectations, and accountability. I ensure this lifestyle training is provided consistently to maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with my dogs.

However, when it comes to puppies and puppy training, I toss aside the rules and accountability and just have fun! I still provide leadership and structure, but I do not expect puppies to know or understand my rules and I won’t hold them accountable to them. I want puppies to have a blast anytime they are working with me. I want to be the best thing in the world to a puppy and exploit positive reinforcement to no end. I want them to explore and discover everything they can while I provide positive reinforcement to encourage any behaviors I want them to repeat.

Puppies are blank slates just soaking in everything in the world around them. They are learning very quickly through the associations they are making as they experience the world, so I want them to have as many positive experiences as they possibly can. I want to use this to my advantage to lay the foundation for the dog this puppy will become one day. I will use food, toys, play, and touch to reward every behavior I want the puppy to continue doing.

I avoid punishing puppies’ behaviors; the one exception being biting once their puppy teeth begin to hurt. The majority of the time I will use redirection; using positive reinforcement to guide them toward behaviors I want. It is a personal preference to use this method with them when they are young, however, I find it be highly effective which is why I will gladly toss aside my own rules for any puppy I work with!