The training skills in this lesson are:

• Autowatch
• Taking treats gently
• Housetraining

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Use a clicker or word to let your puppy know exactly which behavior you want. If you are new to clicker training, you can read about it in Chapter 2 of the book that I recommend with this course, the Ahimsa Dog Training Manual.

Any behavior that you pinpoint or “mark” with the clicker or a word earns a treat of some sort. It is information to your dog, taught by simply following the sound of the marker with the food, a toy, etc.

Warning! Muffle the clicker at first because your puppy may be scared of it. Do this by holding it to your stomach or into a pillow. Click, then treat a few times to check that your puppy is okay with the noise, and if that is okay, you can gradually stop muffling it.

I recommend using a clicker whenever you can for new behavior involving action and a verbal marker when it is inconvenient.

Autowatch: This activity is to teach your puppy to check in with you, especially when something changes in the environment. Throughout the day, when the puppy happens to make eye contact with you, mark with Yes or a clicker. Feed, move away and mark/treat again.

Do this at least once whenever something changes about the situation when you are with your puppy (leaving the house, coming back inside, bicycle appearing, someone coming home, just met another dog and you’re walking away, etc.) You can practice this going back and forth between rooms in your house.

Don’t try to get your puppy to make eye contact with a kissy noise, name, etc. Just reinforce eye contact when you get it. If you are having trouble getting opportunities to reinforce eye contact, show your puppy a treat, hold it straight out to your side, and wait. Then mark and feed the puppy the treat.

Taking Treats Gently: You get what you pay for, so don’t let go of the treat if the puppy is nibbling on you. You can trap the treat in your palm with your thumb and wait for licking, then release the treat.

Housetraining: Prevent accidents inside by taking the puppy out frequently, paying attention inside, and focus on reinforcing the puppy for going outside. Do this by saying a cue when you are sure your puppy is about to eliminate outside. I use “be quick” for pee and “hurry” for poo, so I don’t have to sound like I’m talking to a 2-year-old on a walk. Mark and treat just as your puppy finishes. You can read more about housetraining in Chapter 3 of the the Ahimsa Dog Training Manual.

If you need more information, here’s a nice housetraining video by Emily Larlham (Kikopup).

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