How to Train a Puppy

When training a new puppy, the three main things you need to keep in mind is consistency, patience and positive reinforcement. The ultimate goal in training your puppy is not to force your dog to obey every single command out of fear but to instil good habits in your puppy and build a loving bond with your pet. So, we’ve compiled a list of tips on how to train a puppy to make sure you and your puppy start off on the right paw.

1. Set Up for Success with Something as Simple as your New Puppy’s Name.

Although you want to add your sentimental value to your puppy’s name, choosing names that are shorter and end with strong consonants allows you to say your puppy’s name with emphasis and allows your puppy to hear it clearly.

When training your new puppy, try your best to do so in an environment that has as little distractions as possible. Although this can prove tricky with constantly new and exciting things for your puppy to discover, try enforcing good behaviour with things that your puppy really wants, like his favourite toy or a treat. Training before mealtime will also keep the puppy interested.

Puppies have short attention spans, and therefore the training should be kept short and always ended on a positive note. It is better to train five times a day for five minutes instead of 25 minutes once a day.

2. Esablish Rules and Stick to Them.

It’s crucial that you predetermine what rules you are going to have in your house regarding your dog. Establish what is off-limits and what isn’t. This way, both you and your new puppy have a clear understanding of the boundaries in and out of the house. Keeping them consistent will greatly benefit the training process, as your dog will soon learn what habits are okay, and which are frowned upon. For instance, if you do not want an adult dog jumping up against you, it would be smart to refrain from carrying the puppy around.

3. Reward the Good

Nothing good comes from constantly scolding your puppy. Your puppy needs to feel safe and loved. Although you need to reprimand your puppy for bad behaviour, it is also important that you reward your puppy for good behaviour as well. Your new puppy is continuously learning and experiencing new things and seeing how far they can push the boundaries. When your puppy is behaving well, reward his behaviour through positive reinforcement like treats, toys, love and praise.

4. Discourage the Bad

Unfortunately, it isn’t all sunshine and walks in the park when training your puppy. Although he might be the cutest thing in the world, it is crucial that you discourage bad habits in the future. If your puppy has a knack for biting or nipping on your hand or clothes, do not simply ignore it. It might not mean much when your new puppy is still small, but it will promote biting in the future when your dog is bigger, making it a more serious problem

5. Make a Doggy Den

It’s important that you make a spot that is purely your dog’s space. This is where your puppy sleeps and eats where no one else does. Creating a designated space for your puppy gives them a chance to spend time alone and creates an area where he knows he can always return to, or where to go when he gets sent out for bad behaviour.

6. Puppy Potty Training

Before 12 weeks your puppy still has very little control over his bladder. However, it is still very important to potty train your puppy. During this process, you will become frustrated, but it’s important to remember always to be consistent and fair. The quickest way to correctly potty train your puppy is to take your puppy out when they wake up, after feeding and before going to sleep. During the night you should also let the puppy out once or twice. Always use the same command, so they understand, and it becomes a good habit. If you catch the puppy while urinating in the house, do not hit or shout, just lift the dog up and put the puppy outside and give the command. Clean up the urine very well. The puppy needs to learn where he is allowed to urinate and defecate and where he is not. Your puppy needs to get in contact with grass, gravel and soil. Ultimately, your puppy is going to have a personality of his own. Get to know it and evaluate which areas you need to focus on. Luckily, at Family Pet Centre, we know what your dog needs. Take a look at our large range of dog toys, making the training process easier and more fun for both of you. https://familypetcentre.co.za/collections/toys-for-dogs

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/house-training-your-puppy#1
https://www.pedigree.com/dog-care/training/10-best-training-tips
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/puppy-behavior-and-training-training-basics