Puppy Training 101

Caring for a puppy can be a wonderful experience, one filled with joy, loyalty and love. However, in order to enjoy a happy life with your puppy, it’s essential that you give it the proper training. An untrained puppy can be hard to train correctly, especially if they have previously learned bad habits. Puppy training can be just as rewarding as all of the other parts of puppy care. Here is a general puppy training guide that will allow you to be more familiar with the basics of puppy training.

START EARLY

The best time to begin training your puppy is as soon as they come into your home. As your puppy will already be learning many new things about your home, they will be more receptive to training. Puppies have a short attention span, so it’s best if you plan a fun and interactive training program with lots of rewards for obedient behavior.

THE BASIC COMMANDS

The first thing you should teach your puppy is the basic obedience commands. This includes your puppy’s name, as well as the “Come”, “Sit”, “Down”, “Stay” and “Heel” command. The best way to start is by first familiarizing your puppy with their name. Repeat their name while giving them praise, always using the same tone of voice. Once your puppy is familiar with their name, add the “Come” or “Here” command. For example, in order to call your dog, say, “Max, COME!” The “Come” command should be repeated in a firm but loud tone, so that your dog can easily recognize it.

Commands such as “Sit”, “Stay” and “Heel” require a bit more specific training procedures. It’s best if you only use positive reinforcement techniques to train your dog, since it is a proven fact that dogs respond much better to positive reinforcement training.

POTTY TRAINING

The best way to go about potty training is to start a puppy crate training program. Purchase a crate that is just large enough for your puppy to stand and turn around in. If the crate is too big, the potty training will not be as successful. Make the crate comfortable for your puppy, and never use crate confinement as a punishment. Put your puppy in the crate right after mealtimes, taking them outside after about an hour. If they relieve themselves, give them a treat as well as a lot of praise. If not, simply repeat the process until the training is successful.