training schools can be found through your local vet’s o ffi ce. Another great source is the American Kennel Club to fi nd a local dog club near you. Many of these clubs hold a variety of group train- ing classes. To start your puppy o ff right fi nd a Puppy Kindergarten that trains with positive reinforcements and obsta- cles for con fi dence building. Chessies are extremely smart and very misunderstood by trainers who are not familiar with the breed. Why group classes? Chesapeake puppies need to be well socialized. Train- ing in groups gives your pup the experience to meet other humans, dogs, and to learn to listen with distractions. Many trainers have heard that Chessies are di ffi cult and stubborn; this cannot be further from the truth if you don’t know how to handle the breed. Chessies are extremely smart and have an outstanding memory. Chessies are problem solvers which mean they are always thinking. Th ey can be extremely easy to train basic obedience commands with positive reinforcement method such as food, balls, bumpers, wings, and praise. A Chessies will always ask, ‘What’s in it for me?’ Your new puppy will want to please you so make it fun for him. If you only try pop, jerk and negative methods you could run into a Chessies pup thinking this is no fun and nothing in it for me. Th e Chesapeake has a strong human bond to the family. You and your puppy will be a team for life. Every team needs
a leader. You must establish yourself as that leader to earn your Chessies respect. Given the opportunity, your Chessies pup will easily take over this position and may at times test your leadership. Th erefore, early training will help establish your leadership. You will also have to be consistent in your training and use of commands. Please be sure that everyone in the household is on the same page using the same command. It can be very confusing to a young puppy to have several commands being used for one requested behavior. Example: Sit is “sit” and not “sit down”. You have given the puppy two commands, does he sit or down? Th e Chesapeake is a devoted family member and is good with children and can be protective of them. Th e fi rst thing you want to do is get your Chesapeake o ff to the right start. Th ey will make wonderful family companion dogs. Th ey will dedi- cate themselves to the family. Since they are a watch dog you want to be sure you get them well socialized Th e Chesapeake is an extremely strong swimmer and will seek out water when giv- en the opportunity. Many a Chesapeake will swim for hours and enjoy swimming and retrieving with the family. Th ey are a moderate exercise breed. Usually in the house they will go and lay down. However, make a move towards the door or car and they are there. Th e Chesa- peake will be more active outside when playing. Once a day a nice walk or 15 min- utes of retrieving will make them happy.
“The Chesapeake is an extremely strong swimmer
AND WILL SEEK OUT WATER WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.”
Sassy & Joanne Silver
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M ARCH 2014 • 197
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