Dear Dog Talk: My family and I recently got a yellow Labrador retriever puppy. Bo is our first family dog. He is 15 weeks old and weighs 23 pounds. At times, Bo is extremely sweet. However, mostly, Bo spends his time running, jumping, puppy biting or fetching a tennis ball. Right after we got Bo, my mother-in-law gave us a copy of “Marley and Me.” My 13-year-old daughter and I read it together. Although we thought the book was wonderful, we do not want Bo to become a Marley. What do we need to do to avoid this nightmare• What do we have to teach Bo so that he is a well-behaved dog• How long does it take• Dear Bo and You: I read “Marley and Me” and loved the book. But I agree with you. I wouldn’t want to live with a “Marley,” either. As a follow-up to “Marley and Me,” I suggest that you read the new edition of “Puppy Preschool,” which just came out this spring. “Puppy Preschool” will guide you if you need housebreaking help, advise you on how to stop the puppy biting and help you avoid a dreadful case of separation anxiety like poor Marley had. The book also will get you started on the training fundamentals that Bo needs to know to become a great dog. At 15-weeks-old, Bo is old enough to get started with basic obedience training. Here is a brief description of what you need to teach Bo in order to have a well-trained dog and a loving family member. Two fundamental exercises are Sit and Down on command. “Bo, Sit” is the command, and Bo plants his butt on the floor. “Bo, Down,” and Bo should immediately lower his body to the floor. Almost every dog on the planet will sit on command. However, the dog that is trained to do so immediately, in response to the first command, is on the road to becoming a well-trained dog. Most dogs will not down on command. When a canine will lower his body down, he is showing reverence to a pack leader. Psychologically, down on command is a great exercise with many practical everyday uses. Bo needs to learn to come when called — and not just when he feels like it because there is nothing more interesting occupying his attention. Bo needs to be trained to come on the first command. Immediately coming when called not only shows reverence to a pack leader, it also could be a life saver. Bo needs to be taught to stay reliably from both a sitting and a lying-down position. Stay is a control exercise that you will use every day in many different situations. Bo must be taught controlled walking. Controlled walking is an exercise that teaches a dog to walk on a loose leash without pulling and to pay attention to the human on the other end of the leash. A dog that drags his owner is not well trained and does not view his owner as pack leader. Bo also needs to be taught to immediately stop whatever he is doing on command. My command to stop is a guttural, growl-like “Nhaa!” What I have described are basic control obedience exercises. By using these exercises, you can teach Bo good household manners, such as greeting people without jumping, quiet on command, avoid begging at the dinner table, etc. Obedience training is one part of what I call “The Canine Triangle.” Another side of the triangle is physical exercise. Tired puppies are good puppies. Tire Bo out. The fact that he loves to fetch his tennis ball is lucky for you. Retrieving is a way that you can exercise Bo and channel his energy. The third side of the canine triangle is socialization. Bo needs to get out and greet the world. Exposure to sights, sounds, people and other dogs, etc., is imperative to having a well-trained dog. Dogs get their adult personalities at around 2 years old. Until then, they technically are puppies. Labradors seem to mature somewhat slower. My black Lab, Sophie, didn’t start to settle down until she was almost 4. Even now, she still considers me her Labrador retriever entertainment service. However, she is no Marley. She is a good girl and a beloved family member. By doing the right things, you can achieve the same with Bo. Enjoy your puppy.

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