Click here for registration forms

Mary Mazzeri

Carpentersville, IL

847-426-5089

Serving the Chicago region in the Fox Valley area since 1970

Group Classes

Private instruction

Behavior Modification

Board & Train 

  IACP Certified Dog Trainer/Instructor CDT

Good Dog Checklist

Early puppy experiences are the key to a relaxed and confident adult dog. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it will give you an idea of the kinds of training and experiences that your pup should be introduced to as early in life as possible. Encourage your dog to try new things, being careful not to create unneeded fears by consoling a dog when it acts fearful or by trying to calm it by petting when it acts aggressive. These reactions tend to reinforce the undesirable behaviors rather than eliminate them. A relaxed, unconcerned attitude on your part will give more confidence to the fearful puppy and a well-timed scruff shake will instruct an aggressive one to behave.

As your pup develops sufficient coordination, introduce it to the following exercises and experiences. Those preceded by the asterisk should be drilled for LIFE. When your up has mastered a give skill, you may check it off the list. The sooner you start, the better.

•__ HOUSEBREAKING: The secret to success here is scheduling, supervision and consistency. (See sheet and book for details on housebreaking.)

•__ * Submission exercises: Especially on the side or belly up. Once pup no longer struggles, adults should place pup in position and have children come and put their hands on the pups neck and shoulder.

•__ Supervise!: Do NOT tolerate or initiate any aggressive play with a pup. This will teach it that its OK to bite people. Play retrieving games instead.

•__ Surface Training: Get your pup used to walking on grass, stones, concrete, sand, linoleum, snow etc.

•__ Stairs: Start with short flights on non-slip stairs, one or two steps from top going up. Gradually increase the number of steps your pup has to climb. Going down stair is a lot scarier for them. Encourage them in either direction and show them how to use their feet. Support very young pups so they don’t fall.

•__ Car rides: Start with short rides around the block. Pup should be held by a passenger or in a crate. Some dogs get carsick but usually outgrow it. Never leave a pup unattended in a car.

•__ Grooming: Twice weekly check for wounds, fleas, burrs etc. as you brush or comb. Clean ears as needed. Trim nails at least once a month. Get your pup used to being touched everywhere.

•__ Bite Inhibition: As per class. Dogs should never put tooth pressure on human flesh ever!

•__ Drag Line: This amazing tool only works if it is on the puppy? Keep the pup under supervision and use the dragline to enforce commands to develop in the pup, a sense of being connected to you. Step on it occasionally as he walks by and praise it if he comes to you. Use the line to give the pup a jerk when it is out of control- such as chasing the toddlers and grabbing at their clothes or hands.

•__ Noise: Carefully accustoms your dog to different noises: Vacuum, appliances, lawn mowers, traffic, whistles. Don’t overwhelm sensitive ears. When your pup reacts fearfully to an unexpected noise, speak cheerfully and set a calming example for your pup to follow.

•__ Vets: Visit the vet’s office when the office isn’t busy and your pup’s not in for care, to practice manners and to let it have a pleasant experience without any shots. Bring along a few treats for the receptionist or vet to give to the pup.

• __ Critters: Arrange for puppy to meet nice dogs, cats, possibly farm animals. Pup should be on lead and livestock behind fences.

•__ Mental Health: Arrivals & Departures: Do not pet an emotionally over-reactive dog whose greetings are out of control (jumping, crying etc.) Wait till the dog calms down or your greeting will reinforce the undesirable behavior and add to separation anxiety.

•__ Where permitted, take pup to the park and gently teach it how to slide and climb, do bridges and tunnels. Be sure to clean up after your pup!

•_ _ Entry & Exit Manners: For its own safety a pup should learn to wait for permission to pass through doors and gates. Practice at every door and exit where you live.

•__ Water: Teach pup to swim by carrying it into water just over its head and lower it gently. Keep one hand under the belly as you encourage it. Move the hand away after the pup starts to paddle. Keep the pup on a collar and line so it doesn’t panic and swim to deeper water.

•__ Food Manners: Keep working with teaching pup to take food from hand gently. Use the “Easy!” command with the backhanded bump on the nose, then try again. Do not release the food until the pup is being careful of the fingers. Never allow a pup or dog to be fed from table or counters.

•__ Possessiveness: Practice give and take (trades) with food bowl, toys, bones, etc. Pet him cheerfully while it eats and add a little more food. Supervise the exercise with children.

•__ Restraint: Tie the pup to a kitchen doorknob while you are eating. (9 wks-16 wks.- once a day) He will protest initially but ignore him until he learns to lay quietly during the meal.

•__ Elevators: Where permitted, take pup for an elevator ride.

•__ Walking Manners: Plan leash walks around the block, with some ‘prearranged’ meetings along the route. ask the pup to ‘sit’ politely as you greet each one. They may give the pup a treat (you have provided to them) when he’s sitting politely. Here are a few situations you can ‘set up’
-. Someone pushing a baby stroller.
- A person walking another leashed dog.
- A child riding a big wheel, bike, skate board etc.
- A couple leaving a house and coming down to the sidewalk.
- The mailman or other serviceman.

•__ Tackle the Tackler: If you have a pup that plays too roughly with children (nips or knocks down etc.), set up the pup by having the children run from one side of the room to the other. Have the pup on a long line. Jerk firmly just as the pup goes to grab the child.     
Don’t yell and don’t chase, just correct at the right moment. Always supervise young children and dogs when they are together.

•__ Loose Puppy! If your pup accidentally gets loose, don’t chase it. Instead call him in a cheerful tone and invite it to chase you back toward your yard or house. Never call your dog to punish it.

There are many other experiences your pup will have. Create some of your own, with the pup’s safety and confidence in mind. Early experiences should build trust. Praise pups for trying to cooperate. Enjoy your furry friend. Be careful and be consistent. Early experiences will tend to imprint on your puppy. Make them positive ones!