Labrador Forums - A Confident and Well-Mannered Puppy

Let's face it, you want your puppy to be as confident and well-mannered as possible. But how do you teach him to approach people confidently, and then sit in front of them with a relaxed and happy expression? Here's a few thoughts - and a game you can play that will help him develop the skills he needs to put his best paw forward.

To play, you need his lead, a non-tightening collar, some treats, and a willing friend to act as your assistant. Your puppy should know, and feel comfortable, with your friend.

First of all, give your friend some puppy treats, then attach your puppy's lead to his collar. Holding his lead, start the game by standing about six feet away from your friend. In an enthusiastic voice give your puppy the command "Say hello," then walk your puppy to your friend.

When you reach your friend, let him give your puppy a treat. Your friend should not speak to or pet your puppy at this point. Once your puppy has the treat, turn and lead him away, and praise your puppy in a happy voice. Your praise will help your puppy relax if he's finding the game stressful. It's important that your puppy associates approaching a stranger as an enjoyable experience.

Repeat the game until your puppy is obviously eager to approach your friend when he hears "Say Hello." This is not the time, by the way, to worry about your pup pulling on his lead. If he seems to want to pull you toward the person - great! That can be dealt with later, right now his enthusiasm is lovely.

Once your pup is good at this, use another friend to assist in the game, and then another (family members are fine). Keep using different, but familiar people, until your puppy is eagerly greeting everyone. Once this is accomplished it's time to play the game with people your puppy is less familiar with. Again, the friend assisting should not look or touch your puppy. Their job is simply to hand, or toss, your puppy a treat when he approaches, and then you and your puppy should move away.

Eventually, your pup will resist moving away and that is your sign that your puppy is feeling a lot more comfortable approaching someone. The friend who is assisting in the game can now look at your puppy, or briefly pet him, followed by a second treat. Practice making your puppy "sit" on command before giving him the second treat. If your pup is anxious, or prone to being shy, then continue to move away after the first treat is given - always try to retreat before your pup's stress level forces him to move.

There are two easy errors to make with this game. The first is to use someone your puppy isn't familiar with as an assistant when you start the game. This defeats the goal of teaching your pup a stress-free response. Begin with people known to your puppy and you won't risk any negative associations. The aim is for the game to be a fun experience for your puppy - you don't want him to feel nervous or fearful.

The second mistake is to stay, rather than walk away, when you have reached your assistant. Walking away is important because it gives your puppy a chance to walk off any stress he might be feeling. This is especially true for shy, fearful puppies. Many people tend to remain near the assistant to "see how the pup will act," but at this stage you shouldn't be testing your puppy - this is the teaching stage. Approach, treat, retreat - that's the game.

Taken from Pedigree® Puppy Post Newsletter Issue 37.