Von Falconer puppy training provides well-rounded preparation over the first 16 weeks of the life. The goal of training aims at conditioning a young dog to have fun while learning. Indeed, preventing problems before they arise eliminate the need for correcting them later.
The Von Falconer Training Academy in Santa Cruz, California has a handle on the puppy business. They are veterans in the field of training dogs. They have been in the business for 34 years. Getting a puppy used to living with a family takes time, patience, and training. Von Falconer has a four step program, referred to as an important period that takes new puppy owners through the critical development phases of their new canine friend. The purpose of this program, the Von Falconer puppy conditioning method, is to get the puppy ready to learn and in doing so, teach them that learning is fun.
Four-Step Von Falconer Puppy Conditioning
The Von Falconer method identifies four critical stages in the early development of the pup. Focusing on different conditioning methods during each time frame enhances successful training for any breed, in particular Vizslas and Golden Retrievers.
1st Phase
In the first phase, which covers birth through day 21 of life, exposure to the outdoors gradually increases to a few minutes daily. In addition, handling by men and women other than the trainer is encouraged, as well as an introduction to a small amount of stress to develop the senses of smell and feeling.
When puppies are first born, they are not fully developed. Though they can smell and feel touches, their senses of sight and hearing are not yet functioning. Handling should be minimal bus still occur. However, they can be exposed to small amounts of stress such as: cold temperatures or going outside for a few minutes every day on a blanket. This will get them accustomed to being handled later.
Right after birth, puppies will go through various stages of development on their way to becoming full grown. The goal is to take advantage of each stage by providing opportunities for social interaction and learning. Von Falconer puppy training helps to introduce puppies to the stimulation of the world around them in order to be prepared to cope and thrive.
Newborn pups cannot see or hear but they do have functioning senses of touch and smell. They need to be handled a small amount and subjected to minor stresses such as cold temperatures or different surfaces to lie on. This would be a good time to introduce the conditioning to certain smells.
2nd Phase
At around 2 weeks of age is the ideal time to start touch conditioning. It is necessary to have both a man and a woman handle every pup for 2-3 minutes every day, so they will not reject the touch of any man or woman in later life. During this early conditioning, they should experience touch and handling to the head, neck, nose, the body, legs and the tail. This should be done gently and with clean hands.
The Von Falconer puppy conditioning program states the days 22-28 are the most important week of a puppy’s life. It is at this point in time that the puppy becomes aware that he is a dog and that they must obey their owners. This stage should be stable and happy. Touch conditioning should be done every day. For now, they should also be exposed to noises and begin to learn commands such as following. In the subsequent playtime and car trips should be included.
Conscious life and being aware of their surroundings begins during the second period, marked by days 22-49 of life. Because of this, Von Falconer puppy training encourages proper discipline and teaching submission to further enhance and ensure a stable, trauma-free environment for puppies. Exposure to a variety of types and materials of toys encourages retrieval techniques as well as builds a tolerance to scents and textures. From day 29 forward, the concept of sound conditioning replaces that of touch conditioning in order to abolish the startle response.
3rd Phase
The third period lasts from days 50-84. The puppy will be seven weeks old and can now handle wearing a puppy leash, begin house training and crate training. They can also begin swimming now. Socialization between other people and other dogs is expected now to get them use to large amounts of people.
Attention turns towards house and crate training, grooming, obedience, wearing a collar and walking on a leash. While sound conditioning continues, handling and restraining young dogs takes primary importance.
According to the principles of Von Falconer puppy training, it is vital that during these early days the puppies are taken outside daily and should be exposed to mild stress to further their conditioning. At 3 weeks old, their conscious life begins. It is an exciting time because the puppies begin to react to human presence.
4th Phase
Finally, the fourth span of training takes place during days 85-112, focusing on socialization, obedience, bite-inhibition and swimming. Working off-lead and continued obedience training eliminates the potential for antisocial behavior.
Consider Von Falconer Training for Your Puppy
Using the Von Falconer puppy training technique avoids years of corrective training. Granted, even obedient dogs test dominance. Under those circumstances, showing dominance with a look and a voice reprimand build confidence. In the end, effective communication with puppies creates a confident, well-trained socialized companion for life.
The Von Falconer puppy conditioning method will help your dog to have a happy and productive life.
The early weeks of a puppy’s life are a very important time for future development. Von Falconer puppy training can be a helpful guide through these significant stages.