Leave It
Teaching your puppy to "Leave It" requires you to be provide opportunities for your puppy to make mistakes and set up scenarios to teach your puppy what it is that you want.
Bells
"Sidney" is a three month old Golden Retriever who is my latest "Puppy Boot Camp" student. Today I am teaching her to use "Bells" to let me know when she needs to go out. Right after i filmed this Sidney went pee and we came back and while I was talking off my coat she ran over and rang the bells so we went again and she pooped. Sidney has really figured this out..
Find it
The command "Find it" is a great way to start teaching your puppy to use their nose. This can become a game that both you, your family and your puppy will enjoy.
Off
When you teach your puppy the command "Off" at a young age you will prevent counter surfing for food when they get older. All "off" means is you want your puppy to keep both of their front feet on the floor. This command works for when your puppy jumps up on you as well.
Place
"Place" is a designated location where your puppy or dog has the freedom to move around but must remain on that spot until you give them permission to leave it. Once your dog understands the command anything can be "Place" a towel, rug or even your coat.
Place with toys
When your puppy has a need to chew instead of chewing on your fingers let them go to "place". Place should be an area right next to you, where they can expend energy and chew but are not banished by being in another room. By using "Place" for this purpose your puppy can enjoy your company and still be be an active rambunctious puppy at the same time.
One word of caution "Place" can only be used if you are in the same location. Your puppy will not remain there without you reminding them to stay there. As I was typing this I made the mistake of leaving "Sidney" on place in the living room and went to work on the computer in the office. Since I was not there to correct her she got into trouble. Instead I should have put her in her "Playpen" or "Crate" if I was going to be distracted and not able to watch her all the time.
One word of caution "Place" can only be used if you are in the same location. Your puppy will not remain there without you reminding them to stay there. As I was typing this I made the mistake of leaving "Sidney" on place in the living room and went to work on the computer in the office. Since I was not there to correct her she got into trouble. Instead I should have put her in her "Playpen" or "Crate" if I was going to be distracted and not able to watch her all the time.
Wait/Through
Playpen
Watch this video as I teach this three month old Golden what the command "Playpen" means. But also in this video I make a training mistake by confusing her by giving her "yes" is a very enthusiastic way when it should have been much softer. You should reserve enthusiastic praise for when something is done correctly not just half done.