Puppies do not have a prolonged attention span and tire quickly, so keep training session span and tire quickly sessions short. Five or ten minutes a day is plenty, and it is best if you can turn the training into a game. By doing this, your puppy is more likely to be responsive to your requirement. Whenever he sits unprompted by you, reward him. Then put the command ‘sit’ to the action and reward him with a treat. He will soon realize that ‘sit’ is rewarding and will start responding to the prompted spoken command. Follow the same principle with the ‘stay’ exercise. For further information on teaching sit and stay.

There are several ways to deal with faeces deposited in your garden or out on a walk. Find out if there are local authority bins specially provided for the disposal of dog faeces nearby. If not, wrap the faeces well in newspaper or a biodegradable bag and put them in your household rubbish (check with your local authority first). Alternatively, your can buy a ‘dog loo’ that you install in the garden, although reports on their effectiveness are mixed. Consult your vet practice or local waste disposal company regarding the disposal company regarding the disposal of waste from a dog receiving radiation treatment.

Keep him away from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated. It is wise to exercise him only in your enclosed garden or yard until he is protected against canine diseases. You will also have to train your puppy to the collar and leash before you can take him out, and make sure he’ll come back to you when you call him. Be careful not to expect too much of your puppy too soon and expose him to situations he cannot cope with, as this will create a nervous individual. It is better to gradually introduce him to sights and sounds outside the safe and familiar confines of your home, such as people, vehicles and other dogs.

The answer is anything and everything. He needs to learn how to socialize with other dogs, be polite and calm when meeting people and other creatures, and learn when enough is enough during attention and play sessions. Accustom your young dog to meeting and being with people of both sexes, all ages and different appearances, and reward him so that he views their company as a good thing. Handling him when he is eating and playing with toys will teach him not to become possessive about either.

Both sighthounds and scenthounds need a lot of patience while training. These dogs tend to be slow at processing information, and both can be difficult to recall if they see or scent something they find interesting! Giant breeds are slow thinkers and require a great deal of patience too, while terriers can be stubborn and self-willed. Spitz breeds are intellingent but have an independent temperament. Sporting, herding and guarding breeds tend to be the most easily trained, but they do not take kindly to heavy-handed training methods.

• Attention
• Command
• Execute
• Reward

1. Stand with your dog by your side, with the leash and a treat in the same hand. Get his attention by saying his name.
2. Command ‘sit’ and simultaneously gently push his rear end down.
3. Responding to the pressure, your pet will execute the command by sitting.
4. When he does so, reward him with the treat.