How to Train a Chinese Crested Puppy

According to the Dog Breed Info Center, the Chinese Crested is an affectionate and playful dog which becomes very attached to its owner. Since the Chinese Crested is a small dog, training is important to prevent the dog developing "small dog syndrome," the aggressive and undesirable behavior often seen in untrained small-breed dogs. Training also helps build a bond between owner and puppy, laying the path for a long and happy relationship.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize your Chinese Crested puppy from as early an age as possible. Unsocialized Chinese Crested puppies run the risk of growing into timid, shy adults. Take your puppy with you to as many places as possible and introduce it to a variety of people, objects, situations, places and noises.

    • 2

      Teach basic obedience to your Chinese Crested puppy as a base for future obedience training. The Chinese Crested is intelligent and capable of learning many commands; start with the basic command, "sit." Hold a treat above the puppy's head and slowly move it back towards the puppy's tail. The pup's head should follow the treat, and its rear end should naturally sink to the floor to allow the puppy to continue following the treat. Praise the puppy as its rear end hits the ground, and give it the treat. Repeat until the Chinese Crested puppy understands what you require.

    • 3

      Work with the Chinese Crested puppy on its attention span. Hold a treat near your eyes and allow the dog to look at the treat. Wait until the Chinese Crested puppy makes eye contact with you, even for a second, and say "good watch!" Give the puppy the treat and repeat the process, gradually moving the treat away from your eyes until the puppy automatically looks at you when you have a treat or when you say "watch me."

    • 4

      Remain calm while training your Chinese Crested puppy. End the training session if you start to feel frustrated. Since the breed tends to become attached to its owner, yelling or punishing the puppy when it does not get a command correct could ruin the relationship and make the puppy afraid of you.