Training Your Pug. Brenda Belmonte

as a bonus reward.

      4. Practice this behavior each day, slowly Increasing the length of time between the command and the verbal reward.

      5. Now that Pugsley has learned how to focus, you should begin to practice this behavior in locations that have greater distractions. With any increase in distractions you will need to go back to immediately rewarding focus and then gradually increase the length of time before the reward.

       Myth Three: Pugs Cannot Perform

      The success of Pugs in many different performance venues undeniably refutes the myth that Pugs cannot excel in performance events or competitions. Pugs have become a favorite partner of agility competitors and obedience exhibitors, often giving more enthusiastic breeds a run for the top spots. There has been at least one Pug with a tracking title, as well as several Pugs that currently participate in Canine Freestyle, a new and exciting event that combines traditional obedience commands with a dance routine.

      The endless number of videos on the Internet featuring performing Pugs also provides evidence that Pugs not only are capable of performing, but often thrive in the spotlight. Pugs are clowns by nature and their antics often give their owners a reason to smile, laugh, and showcase their talent. They have enjoyed great success competing in canine talent shows, on television, and in film.

      A Pug’s ability to participate in any event is limited only by his owner’s willingness to be involved. Any reluctance to participate or fear of failure will be recognized by your Pug. When you are intimidated or nervous, your Pug may alsobecome nervous or uneasy and fail to perform to his potential.

      Pugs have a reputation for being lazy.

       Myth Four: Pugs Can’t Be Housebroken

      Bring up the subject of housebreaking in a room full of Pug owners and you are sure to get a few uneasy chuckles. Many Pugs are notorious for leaving presents for their owners, while others will tell you that the Pug is one of the cleanest dogs that they have ever owned.

      The Pug should be no more difficult to housetrain than any other toy breed. They can be housebroken easily as long as you are consistent in your training. Many apartment-dwelling Pugs have been successfully litter box trained. Housebreaking failures are quite often an owner-created problem, not the result of a difficult Pug.

      Chapter 6 deals specifically with housebreaking and confinement training. Using the strategies outlined in this chapter you should find that housebreaking your Pug is not difficult or impossible.

       Myth Five: Pugs Can’t Wear Collars

      This myth results from misinformation, fear, and misguided intentions. Pugs can wear collars and many would be better behaved if their owners would put them on their Pugs and learn how to use them properly.

      There is a mistaken belief that collars somehow predispose a Pug to breathing problems. While it is true that Pugs can be genetically predisposed to respiratory issues, a collar that is properly fitted does not increase the risk. Poor or non-existent training often results in a Pug that pulls continuously against the collar, causing the dog to choke, cough, or gag. These results are not caused by the collar, but are the result of a Pug who hasn’t learned how to properly walk on a lead.

      Contrary to popular belief. Pugs can wear collars.

      Collars offer more control than a harness and can be used to hold identification tags. The many patterns, colors, and textures available give you the opportunity to express your Pug’s unique personality through his wardrobe.

      Obesity and age can predispose a Pug to upper respiratory problems such as a collapsing trachea, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. For those Pugs that have been diagnosed with a respiratory problem, a harness should be used. A harness should also be considered if a Pug has a history of pulling or slipping out of a collar.

      2 The History of the Pug

      From the Beginning

      The Pug is one of the world’s oldest recorded breeds with a history that can be traced back as far as 551 B.C. The Pug is of Chinese origin and its early ancestor is believed to have been the Lo-Sze, or Chinese Foo Dog. The Lo-Sze was a dog of small size, and many of the characteristics of the Lo-Sze are still found in the Pug today.

      The wrinkling in the forehead of the Pug was one of the hallmarks of the ancient Lo-Sze. The wrinkles of prized specimens formed a “W,” or “Prince Mark,” the Chinese character for “Prince.” Although commonly docked, the tail of the Lo-Sze was also reported to have been curled before the procedure. The Lo-Sze’s two distinct ear types are today known as the “button” and “rose” ears in the Pug and both breeds share a close-fitting, short coat.

Oriental Influences

      The ancestors of the early Pug were worshipped by Chinese Emperors. The breed was considered one of their most prized possessions and many enjoyed the luxury of guarded rooms and servants who attended to their every need. As early as the 1800s, the Lo-Sze was being developed into the blueprint for the modern Pug. Breeding records describe short-coated Lo-Szes in a variety of colors. Black puppies were considered a symbol of bad luck and were often destroyed, while puppies of other colors were kept as treasured companions.

Royal Treatment

      The love affair with the Pug did not end with the emperors in the Far East. The Pug’s royal history dates back many centuries and is widely recorded throughout Europe. From Prince William of Orange in the late 1500s to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in the early twentieth century, the Pug has been adored by many of Europe’s royalty. Napoleon’s wife, Josephine, adored her Pug, Fortune. Queen Victoria was also smitten by the “Pug Bug.” Pugs have also been a part of the royal families in Russia and Holland.

      The Pug’s purpose as a lapdog and faithful companion has also made her a favorite of artists. William Hogarth’s Pug, Trump, appeared in one of his paintings of 1730, and a Pug was included in one of Spanish painter Francisco Goya’s portraits of the late 1700s. French and German sculptors have immortalized the breed in their works, and the love affair with the Pug has continued into the modern era.

      The Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dogs.

Popularity Concerns

      The Pug has always enjoyed a favorite place in the hearts of its admirers. Celebrities of today continue to show off their Pugs, and Pug ownership is relished by everyone from actors and recording artists to race car drivers. Modern technology has made it even easier for the Pug to enjoy a steady rise in popularity and for Pug owners to share their Pug’s antics with other Pug lovers. The Internet today is full of home videos of Pugs doing everything from praying to singing. There are Pugs who “talk” and Pugs who can play dead. Each video demonstrates the Pug’s gift of captivating her owner, as well as her aptitude for learning.

      The Pug’s popularity also has its disadvantages. Individuals who fall in love with the Pug’s looks or antics as they are portrayed in the media often rush to own a Pug without really researching the breed or giving thought to whether they should be adding a dog to their life at all. The increased demand for Pug puppies has made them an easy target for unscrupulous breeders, who have little concern for producing healthy puppies or the care of those puppies after they are sold, and are simply interested in making money off of the popularity of the breed. The increasing number of Pugs who are seemingly difficult to train are a result of poor opportunities for socialization and poor