Whether you’re going to become a first-time dog parent, or are getting a companion for your pet, bringing a new puppy home is always overwhelming. While you are excited about clicking cool pictures and buying cute stuff for them, your might forget the most essential part: training the new puppy.
To help you make sure that your young canine companion grows into a well-behaved, obedient dog, we recommend you follow this list of tips we’ve compiled for training your new puppy.
- Set the boundaries.
As soon as you get a new puppy home or plan to do so, it is necessary to decide on a set of rules for them. Are they allowed in bed? Are they allowed in your kitchen? Should you let them sleep with you? Setting these standards will help both of you to cope in the house. You can restrict them from entering certain parts of your house by using crates or puppy gates.
- Designate a personal space for your puppy.
So, the day is finally here — you’ve welcomed your furry companion into your house. Now, it’s time to designate your puppy’s personal space to help them feel relaxed and safe inside the house. You can keep their food trays, bed, and toys in this area. And, don’t forget to designate them a bathroom space too, where you can potty train them!
- Start early.
Your puppy’s brain is continually expanding and developing during the first few months of its life. As a result, it’s crucial to begin training as soon as possible, while they are most open to learning new things. So, begin at an early stage and you will thank yourself later.
- Teach basic commands.
Teaching basic commands to your puppy is very essential as it will help you keep their actions under control. After all, you don’t want your puppy to get into the wrong business just because they don’t follow your commands. Teach them basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘wait, ‘come here’, etc. and it will help them grow into an obedient pups.
- Use positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement means encouraging your pup by rewarding them for their right behavior. This can be done by offering them kibble, a toy, or a lot of praise when they do something right. For example, if your puppy stops on your command, simply lift them to cuddle and praise them.
- Don’t neglect unwanted behaviors.
Discouraging your pet for their bad habits is as important as rewarding them for the good ones. Let’s say your puppy picks a fight with another dog or starts barking at the neighbor, not giving them any attention for the next few minutes will make them realize that this behavior is not appreciated.
- Socialize your puppy.
This is a very important part of puppy training, especially if you don’t want them to grow up as dogs that hate other pets or face a hard time mingling with your guests. Furthermore, puppies that learn to socialize are less likely to acquire behavioral issues.
- Enroll in puppy school.
Getting your pup enrolled in a puppy school is a terrific approach to teaching your dog new skills under expert training guidance. Your puppy will benefit from this experience as it will help socialize them and help them get comfortable among other people and pets.
And remember, every puppy is unique. Some may socialize and learn quickly, while others may be shy and need extra care. Always be calm, patient, and consistent, while training them and you’ll have a smart, trained, and compassionate furry friend for life!
