Many dog owners do not consider puppy safety as among the most important priorities in puppy care mainly because they are just little dogs that can be replaced anytime. A puppy is still blank about the ways of life and it doesn’t know which things are safe and which are not. Some owners simply leave this to chance, but there are actually just two very important basic commands that your puppy should learn because it can literally save its life; and it only takes a few minutes each day for the puppy to master.
Training your puppy to perform the “leave it” and “drop it” commands can help stop your little dog from doing perilous acts, such as eating mouse poison, adulterated, spoiled or contaminated food and other dirty stuff.
“Leave it”
One of the commands that relates to puppy safety is the” Leave it” command. To train your puppy to do the “Leave it” command, put your puppy on a leash and take it towards a pre-placed thing that is very enticing such as food or a toy. When your puppy brings its attention on the item and attempts to pick it up, it’s your time to give it a short quick pull on the leash while saying “Leave it.”
As your puppy obeys your command, you can give it a verbal praise such as “very good” then give a small treat if you like. As a rule, both praise, a pat or a small treat generally have the same effect on your dog. Just be sure to make this routine regular and your puppy safety training is well on its way.
Another way to teach your puppy to execute the “Leave it” command is by holding a food treat in your closed fist. When your puppy sniffs at your hand, simply say “Leave it,” with your fist kept closed. You can reward you puppy when it stops nosing your hand, which is an indication that it already understands what you mean, by praising it in a way such as saying “okay,” then let it have the treat. Do this repetitively until your puppy learns to sit still without minding a treat or some foodstuff you place nearby until you give the release command.
“Drop It”
Puppy safety is compromised when the it just picks up anything that it finds intriguing. It is prone to accidents, or it may cause damage to the object that it tries to chew or swallow. If you see your puppy do this, say “Drop it,” then approach your puppy. If it is not willing to release the item, offer it an enticing treat as an exchange. By the time your puppy drops the item, you can give it a safer and more enticing substitute that your puppy can enjoy.
Do not chase your puppy if it runs away as you approach it, because it is thinking that you’re playing a game. Just ignore it instead and get a treat that you know will surely lure your puppy towards you. Go to a place where your puppy can have easy access to the treat and start to eat the treat or pretend to eat it if it’s dog food. As your puppy approaches, give the “drop it” command and trade the forbidden item with the treat. Always praise the puppy for obeying your command and replace the forbidden item with a toy that your puppy will enjoy playing with. Remember, the does not understand that you’re teaching puppy safety; you must be sure to do it in a way that your puppy can enjoy while it obeys your command.