Initial obedience can be incorporated into play, rewarding with praise and/or titbits.

The attention span of a puppy, will like a child, be very short. Train only for a few minutes at a time.

Insure that you and your family are consistent, use the same commands, hand movements and actions every time.

Keep your temper at all times, never become inpatient with your puppy. Simply, if your puppy does not do what you want, he does not understand.

End a training session or a high point, something the puppy enjoys doing or by giving a favourite reward be it toy of titbit. If a toy, make sure that this is the only time your puppy is given this particular one.

The first thing to teach your puppy is his name. Every time you say his name, he should look at you. Encourage this with praise, titbits and toys.

Every obedience command should be preceded with your dog’s name.

In the first place put these on in the house, let the lead hang loose and play with the puppy and/or give him titbits.

When the puppy is not longer worried, pick up the lead and hold loosely. The puppy will in time follow.

Hold lead in right hand, with the dog on your left hand side. Your left hand will control and tugging or hanging back with quick sharp pulls.

Choose a heel command: heel, close or walk on are good clear words, always use the same one. To get your dog’s attention, use his name, then with a small tug use your chose word. Try walking your puppy in left hand circles with lots of encouragement, praise and titbits.

The puppy should be taught to first come into the home. Squat down, hold out a titbit or toy, call dog’s name and command come, followed with praise.

Recall from running free

Put on his lead and walk a little distance forward in heel work holding titbit in your hand. Hold titbit forward and start moving backwards calling your dog’s name and saying come. When dog catches up with you, give plenty of praise.

Eventually your pup will be taught to sit in front of you.

Follow on this training, by taking the puppy to a park or open area where you can use a flexi lead to continue this training.

Put the puppy’s collar and lead on, and with him on your left hand side transfer as much of the lead as possible to your right hand. Say your dog’s name and sit, at the same time with your left hand at the back of the dog put him into the sitting position using gentle pressure. This will ensure the puppy sits closely and safely at your side., and eventually the straight sit will become automatic.

One of the most important exercises for your dog. From the sit command, place a juicy titbit between the front legs, as he bends to pick it up, apply pressure gently to the back saying his name and down. Praise. Hold for a few seconds, saying down, stay down. He will when trained drop down and remain in that position until you command otherwise. With this command it is useful to use a deeper tone than with others. Practice this for a few minutes daily.

Teach your puppy this early, use his name and the command leave when he approaches or touches anything he should not have. Praise he when he obeys.

This is a common problem with puppies trying to alleviate the discomfort of teething. This can be alleviated by ample supply of chews, bones and hard toys. If the gums are sore rub in baby teething gel.

If you are present when the dog chews or is going to chew, command firmly "No" and give item from toy box instead.

In order to prevent this get your puppy used to being left for short periods, its best to choose a small room or a cage/crate - if the dog is allowed to roam round the house or flat it will become distressed running backwards and forwards looking for you. Leave a radio or TV on, give a treat such as biscuit or bone, saying in calm voice a phrase such as "Back soon". Initially don’t leave listen out if he starts whining or scratching door verbally scold or knock on door , do NOT go back to him until quiet and then let out with lots of praise. Leaving an item of your clothing outside door can also be helpful.