Bringing home a puppy is both exciting and unpredictable. Whether it’s your first pet or other animals live in the house, the new experience can be a test for everyone. While training classes are recommended, dog owners can do their part at home to reinforce what’s learned in these courses. What should you know about basic puppy training?
Before Puppy Comes Home
It’s important to make a few decisions before your puppy comes home. For instance, whether the dog will be allowed on furniture or in the bedroom. After several months of sleeping on your bed, it will be much more difficult to change the pup’s behavior and teach him to sleep on the floor.
Basic Commands
Rudimentary training starts with the basics – come, sit, stay, etc. Be sure to use the puppy’s name often, so he starts to respond to being called. Ensure good behavior is reinforced with a reward, whether it’s a treat, toys, belly rubs or verbal praise. When these actions are associated with something positive, the puppy is more likely to do what’s asked of him.
Crate Training
Some people may be hesitant to crate, but a few hours a day can be a helpful tactic. Rather than 8-hour confinement while you’re at work, utilize our dog walking services for bathroom breaks, strolls through the neighborhood and feeding time. When used correctly, the crate could become a favorite spot for the puppy to sleep, versus a perceived punishment.
Establish a Routine
Much like toddlers, puppies can benefit from an established routine. There should be designated times for eating, walking, bathing, sleeping and the like. A strict schedule can help your puppy acclimate, prevent accidents in the house and other bad habits like nipping or begging for food.
Stay Positive
Frustration gets you and your puppy nowhere. Aggression and yelling are unhealthy and could lead to behavioral issues. In most cases, the puppy will not remember the “bad thing” he did so instead, reinforce the alternative behavior to teach him what’s right versus wrong.
Socialization
Once your puppy is responding well to housetraining, the next step is socialization with other dogs and people. Make sure basic training skills are in place before bringing your puppy to a dog park or other unfamiliar environment to keep everyone safe, should something go awry.
The experienced staff at Paw Play For Dogs has worked with canines of all ages since 2001. To learn more about our services, contact us today!