How to Train a Pekingese Puppy

A member of the American Kennel Club's toy dog group, the Pekingese, which weighs on average 14 pounds, dates back to ancient times. Bred in China to be a lapdog, it is loyal to family but may be wary of strangers. Pekingese are generally indoor dogs because they are sensitive to heat and can get the exercise they need playing inside. Pekingese are known for their stubborn natures, so if you plan to own one, you should start training it from the time it is a puppy.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your Pekingese puppy a variety of dog treats to see which it likes best. Because Pekingese have stubborn personalities and are not especially active, they must be bribed to learn new commands. Try all-natural dog treats, pieces of cheese or cooked hot dog or chicken. Use your Pekingese puppy's favorite treats during training sessions.

    • 2

      Make house rules for your Pekingese puppy to follow. It may be small in size, but a courageous Pekingese won't back down from a fight. Establish rules for your puppy, such as staying out of the kitchen while you are cooking or keeping off the furniture, so your Pekingese does not develop dominance-related behaviors such as guarding or snapping.

    • 3

      Coax your Pekingese puppy to respond correctly to a command by using a treat as a lure. While teaching it to sit, for example, start by holding a treat close to your Pekingese puppy's nose and then moving it directly overhead but not out of reach. If your puppy's rear-end dips to the floor, reward it immediately with the treat.

    • 4

      Reward your Pekingese every time it starts to follow a command correctly. Have plenty of treats on hand. Include praise in your reward, but be aware Pekingese are not an affectionate breed and the treats will be your most effective tool. As your puppy masters each command, withhold treats gradually until it can complete each command several times without a reward.

    • 5

      Teach your puppy the basic commands: sit, stay, down and come. These will ensure that your Pekingese puppy grows into a well-behaved adult dog. Avoid teaching more advanced tricks until your Pekingese is old enough to have mastered the basics. Waiting to teach tricks also allows your puppy's bones, joints and ligaments to become fully developed and minimizes the risk of injury while learning and performing tricks.