Becoming a puppy parent opens a whole new chapter in your life. Their adorably round eyes, fluffy fur, and tender paws have a magnetic charm that’s hard to resist. Nevertheless, raising a well-mannered adult dog requires instilling appropriate training and discipline early on.
Potty Training: The Groundwork of Discipline
Potty training forms the cornerstone of your puppy’s training regimen. Establish a dedicated spot for your puppy to relieve itself. Use a consistent cue like “Go potty” and lavish praise and treats when it accomplishes the task.
If your puppy has an accident, react calmly and guide it outside. Patience is key, and your puppy’s bladder control will gradually improve with age and consistent training.
Fostering Appropriate Play Habits
Teach your puppy how to play to prevent aggressive behavior later in life. If your pup engages in play biting, express your discomfort using phrases like “Ouch!” in a firm voice, and stop playtime immediately.
Reinforce positive behavior by resuming play once your puppy calms down.
Cultivating Focus in Your Puppy
Training your puppy to focus lays the foundation for all subsequent training exercises. Play the “look at me” game, rewarding your pup every time it locks eyes with you.
As your puppy becomes more adept, gradually increase the duration of eye contact before giving a reward.
Building Name Recognition
Teaching your puppy to respond to its name is crucial. Like the “look at me” game, say your pup’s name once and reward it when it looks at you.
Gradually introduce distractions and repeat this exercise in different environments to solidify the name recognition skill.
Teaching Recall: The Art of “Come”
A strong recall ability can potentially save your dog’s life someday. Start training in a quiet, familiar space. Use your dog’s name, and pair it with the command “come.”
Praise your pup profusely as it approaches. Patience and consistency are essential in establishing a solid recall.
Mastering the Sit Command
The “sit” command is one of your pup’s most basic obedience cues. With a treat in your hand, lift it above your pup’s head while saying, “sit.” Your dog will naturally sit as it looks up to follow the treat. Praise and reward your dog once it sits.
With practice, your dog can “sit” without needing the treat as a visual cue.
The “Stay” Command: A Test of Patience
Teaching your pup to “stay” involves using the “sit” command, followed by extending your hand out and saying “stay.” Begin by rewarding your pup if it can stay put for just a few seconds, gradually increasing the duration and the distance between you and your pup as it improves.
“Heel”: Polite Leash Walking
Walking with your dog should be enjoyable, not a tug-of-war! The “heel” command teaches your pup to walk close to you.
Start training during your first walk together, encouraging your pup to stay at your side. Use a treat or a toy as an incentive, rewarding your pup for staying close to you.
Teaching “Place” to Manage Excitement
A “place” command helps manage an over-excited pup. Start by designating a specific place, such as a dog bed or crate, and encouraging your pup to sit or lie down there with a reward.
Over time, your pup will learn that calm behavior in its “place” is rewarded.
Training Your Puppy to Be Alone
To prevent separation anxiety, gradually accustom your puppy to being alone. Begin with short durations of five minutes and progressively increase this over time. This training helps your pup understand that being alone is not something to fear.
Remember that training a puppy is a marathon, not a sprint. These lessons, implemented patiently and consistently, will pave the way for a well-behaved, happy adult dog. Happy training!
Basic Dog Training You Can Do at Home
Training isn’t about control. It’s first and foremost about communication and managing the situations a dog is put in.
Every cue or command is a conversation between you and your dog. Dogs don’t come into the world knowing how to live within the context of human environments or expectations—they must be taught. And you can (and should!) teach old dogs new tricks.
Basic Dog Training You Can Do at Home
8 Best Dog Backpacks for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures
Some might say that dogs are man’s best friend. But what about when a man needs a little help carrying his load? Carrying all your dog’s supplies can be a pain, especially if you’re also trying to bring your own things on your outdoor adventure. That’s where dog backpacks come in handy.
8 Best Dog Backpacks for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures
Dog park best practices for new dog owners
Part of the responsibility of being a new dog owner is to teach your dog how to socialize. This can be a fun experience as you’re helping your pet make friends by allowing them to play with other dogs.
Dog park best practices for new dog owners
10 Best Dog Breeds That Make Excellent Best Friends
The term “man’s best friend” has been applied to dogs for generations, and rightfully so. These cuddly friends are always there for their owners and shower them with love and dedication. However, not every dog breed is well suited to the role of man’s best friend.
10 Best Dog Breeds That Make Excellent Best Friends
18 Velcro Dog Breeds That Are Incredibly Loyal and Affectionate
Velcro dog breeds are known for their loyalty, unwavering devotion, and proclivity to ‘stick’ to their owners, just like Velcro. Let’s delve deep into understanding these unique breeds and discover why they are considered the perfect furry friends for those seeking close companionship.
18 Velcro Dog Breeds That Are Incredibly Loyal and Affectionate
