Puppy in Training
Where to begin
The biggest question that new puppy owners usually have is about when they should start training their new family member. Well, the best answer is – as soon as possible. The sooner you start training your puppy the sooner they’ll start behaving appropriately inside and outside your home. And the longer they go without structure and training, the longer they’ll have to learn bad behaviours, and the more difficult they’ll be to train.
Aim to Please
The beautiful thing is, your dog wants to listen to you. When you’re in complete control it allows your buddy to stop worrying about what he can and can’t do and instead enjoy just being a dog, and a valued member of your family.
House Training Your Puppy
Unfortunately your puppy doesn’t already know when and where he’s supposed to relieve himself. That’s where a schedule comes in. Never leave food out and try to always feed him at a designated time. Especially in the beginning, consistency can make all the difference. After he eats take him outside so he can relieve himself in a designated spot. This way he gets used to the idea of going outside to do his business. A puppy also needs a lot of supervision. Be sure to watch for cues like excessive sniffing, walking in circles, or lifting a leg. Lastly, It’s important to always give positive reinforcement when your puppy goes outside. Whether it’s just praise or a tasty treat, your pet will be happy he’s pleasing his owner and will also equate the rewards with going to the bathroom outside your home.
To Chew or Not to Chew
When you bought your puppy home you probably didn’t realize he was going to chew on everything in sight. That’s right, a new puppy will be teething and could get into the habit of chewing everything from your shoes to the leg of your dining room table. So what can you do? First thing you need to do is buy a bunch of soft chew toys. When your pet chews on them, be sure to give him positive verbal reinforcement. And if you catch him chewing on anything but his toys, scold him immediately. And when you come home and find that your puppy has chewed on something he shouldn’t have, give him a time out for that too. If you’re vigilant and consistent with positive and negative reinforcement, he’ll be leaving your shoes alone in no time.
Nice To Meet You
Socialization is also an important part of your puppy’s training because it will effect how he interacts with people and his environment for the rest of his life. But never fear, because there are a number of ways you can introduce your new family member to the world around him. For starters, take your puppy with you when you go everywhere from shopping malls to public parks – basically anywhere with a lot of people and activity that he can take in. When you’re home, you should invite friends and their dogs over, so that your puppy can get used to having people in your home, and can learn to get along with other animals. You should also practice grooming your puppy as often as possible. If he gets used to being brushed, bathed and inspected, he’ll be less prone to bite someone who tries to pet him. Just remember to always make at it a positive, safe, and comfortable experience for your puppy.
Happy Human, Happy Dog
When your puppy knows what you expect from him he’ll be less likely to make you upset, making both of you happy. With a little consistency, and the right amount of training and socialization your rambunctious pup will grow into a well-behaved and endearing member of your family.
