On our last session we talked about giving the puppy a physics lesson using the chain collar, the tie out stake and the long line. Hopefully everybody is clear on the importance of putting the chain collar on correctly. Now, we’re on to learn the value of the tie out stake.
The tie out stake we use is a tool specifically made for use in puppy physics lessons. You can order one from most of the dog supply sites or you can improvise one of your own notion. You can put an eyebolt in a baseboard, a post, tree or anything else substantially strong and unbendable. You take about 3 feet of light dog chain with snap swivels on each end. Hook one swivel to the tie out stake or eyebolt and the other snap swivel hooks to the chain collar. Irrespective of what kind of tie out stake you choose, the initial hook up is always done the same way. Your pup, who has been wearing the chain collar for several days, should be totally comfortable with it. At this time, the puppy should be picked up and carried to your tie out spot as unceremoniously and as casually as possible.
After we hook the puppy up to the tie out stake we walk away and pretend to be busy doing something else. Actually we’re watching the pup’s reaction but as far as the pup knows, we’re totally unconcerned with what’s going on.
The pup might do anything from standing and pulling against the chain to fighting, barking and generally having a “fit”. Your response is to do nothing. We want the pup to understand that no matter how he acts, the tie out will not give back any emotional response. We want the puppy to submit to the inanimate physical control the tie out stake and tether have over him. Depending on the individual pup, you can get a wide range of responses. Whatever your pup does, pretend to ignore it until the pup gives in and settles down. After the pup accepts the inevitability of the collar and tether having physical control, we move back in and pet and praise the puppy. I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will: Don’t leave the puppy out too long especially if it’s hot. We want him to learn about physics, not punishment.
We do this for several days until the puppy’s response to being hooked up to the chain is to sit, stand or lie down quietly. By this time, the pup has accepted that the chain collar and tie out tether means giving in to the physical laws of the Universe. And guess what? The puppy has learned this without having any negative feelings toward us. It is the inanimate tie out stake that demands our pup’s attention and respect. This gives us the beginning of the control we want to put to use with the long line. Our next lesson will be using the long line to get the puppy to give us a “volunteer heel”.
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Become a happy owner of our world class Labrador Retriever puppies or learn about our Labrador Retriever training services: Call Woody and Judi at (910) 462-3246 for more information.
About Woody Thurman: Woody and Judi Thurman of Twin Lakes Kennel have been breeding and training world class Labrador Retrievers for more than 35 years. Twin Lakes Kennel is the number #1 resource for Labrador Retriever puppies. We select from the most dominant American field bloodlines and breed for natural hunting instinct and tractability. Our Labs, both puppies and adults, are out of the top working Labrador Retriever bloodlines in the country. The end results are the most talented, well rounded Labrador Retrievers possible, making them a most desirable family pet.
More than eight thousand (8,000) Labrador Retrievers have been bred and trained during those thirty-five years. During this time, Woody has titled more than 200 AKC Master Hunter Labrador Retrievers. Woody has also qualified 47 retrievers at AKC Master Nationals. He has won the Ducks Unlimited Open Championships twice. In addition, two of his Labs, Drake and Rondy, bred and trained at Twin Lakes Kennel, are in the Master National Hall of Fame.
Our Labrador Retriever puppies are the culmination of a 30 year search for the most talented, well rounded Labrador Retriever possible. We select from the most dominant American field bloodlines and breed for natural hunting instinct and tractability. Our puppies begin a structured socialization program in the litter box and are introduced to birds at six weeks.
All our Labrador Retriever Puppies carry a guarantee against hereditary defects and to have basic retrieving instincts. Parents of all our Labrador Retriever puppies are physically sound with certified hips and eyes. They are out of the top working Labrador Retriever bloodlines in the country.
We guarantee all our Labrador Retriever puppies to be free from hereditary defects.
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