Puppy Training 101: Five Basic Tips
Training A New Puppy: Five Basic Tips
By Jeana Abnet
Owning a new puppy can be a lot of work: you will need to research and buy the right dog food, get the right size Dog Collar and Dog Bed, and choose a great vet to monitor your dog's health.
But don't forget the necessity in training your puppy to behave how you want. Dogs need to be taught the basics of how you expect them to act. Training a new puppy can be very difficult, but we have five basic tips that can be of help right away. Of course, we always recommend working with an approved Professional Dog Trainer to get the best results.
1. Be Consistent With Puppy Training Tasks
Training your puppy is all about repetition. Sure, you will need to stock up on the puppy pads and/or newspaper. Make sure that you have the right equipment in place and then, be patient and consistent. The more you take them outside the more they will associate the outdoors as the place where they go the bathroom, and the more you teach them to sit and stay, the sooner you can move on to harder training (coming when called, etc.). It is important to do these things on a consistent basis, to reinforce the basics.
2. Use Healthy Dog Treats As Rewards
When your puppy goes to the bathroom outside make sure to reward them by having a healthy dog treat ready. Classical conditioning is still the best way to train a dog. Your puppy will begin to associate the rewards with the action, thus having the reward become the number one driving factor.
3. Positive Reinforcement Is Always Best
When your puppy does something right make sure he knows it! Say "good boy" or "yes" in a positive tone, and use the same reinforcement cue each time, so they don't get confused. Positive Reinforcement Dog Training works ten times better than negative and in the long run, you and your pet will be much happier.
4. Help Your Older Dog, Too: Puppies Follow The Leader
Dogs often pick up good behaviors (and) bad from other dogs in the family. If you have an older dog in the house make sure to reinforce the same behaviors that you are teaching your puppy. If your senior dog is a pro at basic behaviors, this will be a great help as your older dog will also be teaching your puppy these good behaviors. Older dogs are very influential to puppies and many times a puppy will learn to mimic their behavior.
5. Train At Your Puppy's Pace
Never push your puppy to learn at a faster pace that they are comfortable. Being consistent with training is important but it is important to never push a puppy past their comfort zone. Most dogs love to learn and with the proper amount of positive reinforcement, they will gradually learn to behave exactly as you wish.
Training your new puppy requires patience, consistency, and persistence. If you follow these steps your puppy will be well trained in no time. Don't get discouraged if it takes longer than expected and if you are getting frustrated, never punish your dog, simply take a deep breathe and relax. Remember - all dogs are unique and can be trained given the right amount love, attention and teaching.
All new pups love to chew things, as this is a normal, natural way for them to interact. To help your pet through this period, read our free tip, Puppies That Chew: Dealing With This Normal Behavior. For new dog owners, our tips on the Top 3 Mistakes That New Dog Owners Make is a must read. If you are bringing a new pup home to a house already with a dog, check out Bringing A New Dog Home: Teaching Two Dogs To Get Along. With lots of love and attention, your new pup will be great addition to your family.
Owning a new puppy can be a lot of work: you will need to research and buy the right dog food, get the right size Dog Collar and Dog Bed, and choose a great vet to monitor your dog's health.
But don't forget the necessity in training your puppy to behave how you want. Dogs need to be taught the basics of how you expect them to act. Training a new puppy can be very difficult, but we have five basic tips that can be of help right away. Of course, we always recommend working with an approved Professional Dog Trainer to get the best results.
1. Be Consistent With Puppy Training Tasks
Training your puppy is all about repetition. Sure, you will need to stock up on the puppy pads and/or newspaper. Make sure that you have the right equipment in place and then, be patient and consistent. The more you take them outside the more they will associate the outdoors as the place where they go the bathroom, and the more you teach them to sit and stay, the sooner you can move on to harder training (coming when called, etc.). It is important to do these things on a consistent basis, to reinforce the basics.
2. Use Healthy Dog Treats As Rewards
When your puppy goes to the bathroom outside make sure to reward them by having a healthy dog treat ready. Classical conditioning is still the best way to train a dog. Your puppy will begin to associate the rewards with the action, thus having the reward become the number one driving factor.
3. Positive Reinforcement Is Always Best
When your puppy does something right make sure he knows it! Say "good boy" or "yes" in a positive tone, and use the same reinforcement cue each time, so they don't get confused. Positive Reinforcement Dog Training works ten times better than negative and in the long run, you and your pet will be much happier.
4. Help Your Older Dog, Too: Puppies Follow The Leader
Dogs often pick up good behaviors (and) bad from other dogs in the family. If you have an older dog in the house make sure to reinforce the same behaviors that you are teaching your puppy. If your senior dog is a pro at basic behaviors, this will be a great help as your older dog will also be teaching your puppy these good behaviors. Older dogs are very influential to puppies and many times a puppy will learn to mimic their behavior.
5. Train At Your Puppy's Pace
Never push your puppy to learn at a faster pace that they are comfortable. Being consistent with training is important but it is important to never push a puppy past their comfort zone. Most dogs love to learn and with the proper amount of positive reinforcement, they will gradually learn to behave exactly as you wish.
Training your new puppy requires patience, consistency, and persistence. If you follow these steps your puppy will be well trained in no time. Don't get discouraged if it takes longer than expected and if you are getting frustrated, never punish your dog, simply take a deep breathe and relax. Remember - all dogs are unique and can be trained given the right amount love, attention and teaching.
All new pups love to chew things, as this is a normal, natural way for them to interact. To help your pet through this period, read our free tip, Puppies That Chew: Dealing With This Normal Behavior. For new dog owners, our tips on the Top 3 Mistakes That New Dog Owners Make is a must read. If you are bringing a new pup home to a house already with a dog, check out Bringing A New Dog Home: Teaching Two Dogs To Get Along. With lots of love and attention, your new pup will be great addition to your family.