Teaching a mature PON some New Tricks

( improving behavior in adult PONS )

Canine behaviorists claim that dogs of any age can learn new tricks. Your pon should be familiar with the basics of sit, lie down, and stay, because these form building blocks of new behavior. Busy pons are happy, well adjusted pons. Bored pons tend to get themselves in trouble with excessive barking and negative behavior (tearing up property,neurotic behavior such as hugging the legs of owners, grabbing food/clothing,etc.).

Are you familiar with the basics of  teaching sit ? Place an appealing treat in your fingers and place your hand near your pon's nose. Say, "sit," and move the treat over your pon's head toward his tail. As he follows the treat, he should sit naturally. When he successfully completes this behavior, immediately give him the treat as well as verbal praise in an excited voice, saying something such as "good ......his name!" When you are first teach this behavior, always give the treat and the verbal praise. When your pon seems  associate the term, sit with this behavior, gradually wean him off the treats. You may want to train your pon to a release command such as "okay!" so he knows when he can discontinue each behavior. As with all training, sit should be taught " in short (10 minutes or less) sessions followed by free play.

For lie down, first get your pon to assume a sitting position. Hold a treat in your fingers and place your hand near your pon's nose. Firmly give the lie down command and then bring the treat directly down to the floor. As your pon follows the treat, he should naturally place himself in the down position. As soon as your pon is in the correct position,give him  the treat and praise him. You can now use a release command, "okay" to let your pon know it is okay to stop lying down. When your pon begins to connect  behavior with the verbal command, you can start to wean him from the food.

To teach "stay," place your pon in either the sitting or down position. Hold a treat in one hand and ask your pon to stay while placing your other hand with the palm open in front of his nose. When your pon stays for one or two seconds, give him the treat and  praise, and then use your release command. You may wish to gradually increase the length of the stay.

Most pons are extremely alert and eager to please their owners. You can extend basic commands to include a wide range of behavior patterns to suit your particular life style. New tricks are fun to teach and will offer your pon good mental stimulation while enhancing the quality of time you spend with him. Make sure you keep training session short and fun and remember to use positive reinforcement. Please send us updates on your experiences!

When a pon has a strong leader, it tends to have a calming effect and he feels safe and taken care of. The moment that you show hesitation, he feels obligated to assume a leader role in the social hierarchy of your family. Obedience training is considered the best organized method of establishing yourself as a strong leader. Another important aspect of pon behavior has to do with their need to be occupied most of the time. If they start feeling bored, they will get themselves into trouble. You need to provide stimulation in the form of organized games, creative toys and other activities.