Puppy Training Guide
Puppies are curious little pets that are always learning. Everything they see around them is a new toy to play with or a new place to explore. As social beings, they also learn a lot from their humans. What they learn at this stage will lay the groundwork for how they will act as they grow older! As such, it's essential to make sure they are socialized properly and are given basic training in order for them to become confident, full-grown dogs.
In training your puppy, you can choose to hire a dog trainer or do it yourself. Training a puppy might seem like a daunting task, but don’t worry. We’ve got some tips for you to follow as well as a step-by-step guide for your first few months of puppy training to ensure you and your pup are on the right track.
Puppy Training Tips to Follow
Use Positive Reinforcement
There is one tried and tested way to train puppies, and that is the scientifically-backed method of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding behavior to encourage it in the future. Kibble and dog treats are usually the most effective for puppies, but some would rather play with their favorite toy or receive praise from their human.
On the other hand, using punishment such as choking or hitting your puppy should be avoided as it can cause anxiety and fear when they grow older, as well as distrust between the two of you. You would never hit your own child, and your puppy should be treated with the same care and consideration.
Stay Consistent
Practice consistency all throughout training. Make sure to use the same words and signals for your commands so that your puppy learns it easily. Don't forget to reinforce any desired behaviors you see, too!
It's also important to stay consistent when you discourage negative behaviors, such as chewing or biting. If you are inconsistent with your discouragement, your puppy will take longer to learn these lessons.
Keep Training Sessions Short
You don't want to overwhelm or frustrate your puppy, so make sure to keep training sessions short—about five minutes to fifteen minutes of focused training should do the trick! A good number is two to three sessions throughout the day. Their attention spans are short, so ending training on a positive note keeps them excited for the session.
We recommend setting aside a routine to get this started. Implement a specific room or location, at a specific time, every day. Your puppy will start to look forward to it!
Stay Patient
If your puppy can get frustrated with training, then so can you. Be extra patient because, like young children, puppies won't always understand what you ask of them.
Each puppy will learn at a different pace. If you are consistent and persist with the training, your puppy will surely learn those commands. Having a routine with feeding, potty breaks, training, and playtime will keep your puppy happy, secure, and eager to learn!
Puppy Training Timeline
You might be wondering when you can teach your puppy different commands. After all, some might be more complicated than others. Here's a rough timeline that can serve as a guide for training your dog:
7 – 8 Weeks Old: Basic Commands and Leash Training
You can start teaching basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come” at this stage. Say the cue, use a treat to guide your dog into a sitting position, then feed them once they sit.
Puppies can also get used to a leash. They should start indoors and be on a leash for short periods of time, which should then be increased. Once your puppy has been vaccinated, leash training can be done outdoors.
8 – 10 Weeks Old: Crate Training
Puppies should learn that their crate is a safe place. You can guide your puppy into their crate and reward them with a treat for 10 minutes at a time. Feeding them in their crate is also encouraged. Your puppy needs to have a space for themselves and privacy within your home to get away from the stimulation from time to time. If you're interested in a crate for your dog, stop by your local pet supplies store in Marysville, WA and ask one of our team members for our recommendations!
12 – 16 Weeks Old: Potty Training
This is probably the most important training stage of them all. Potty training starts with keeping a strict, consistent schedule. A good guide to follow is to bring your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, and after naps or playtime. Make sure to reward your puppy with a treat each time they successfully go to the bathroom outside.
It's not uncommon for dogs to have to wake up at night and use the bathroom, so be prepared for a few sleepless nights early on! These will get trained out of them early on if you're diligent though, so don't worry too much!
Conclusion
With these basic steps and guidelines, you should be on your way to having a well-trained puppy! At the end of the day, there’s more to training your dog than you can read about. It will be a great learning experience for you as a pet owner. Most of all, taking the time to teach your puppy good behavior is a journey that will strengthen your bond with him for life.
As you train your puppy, it will have different needs, such as dog food and other pet supplies. As your local neighborhood pet nutrition center and wellness spa, we at EarthWise Pet Supply and Grooming specialize in providing you with natural pet foods, toys, and other supplies. Get in touch with us today for your pet’s needs!