5 Essential Puppy Training Tips
Cute puppy videos on the internet may have enticed you into getting a new puppy but as soon as the new member enters your household, you know you have your work cut out for you. The adjustment to a new puppy’s demand is difficult. However, I can assure you, once you build the trust and the bond, it will all be worth it. Building trust takes time, so patience is the key. Training your pup teaches them to respect and trust you as a leader. Therefore, it’s a great idea to start the training early, so you can start forming an unbreakable bond.
Go into the Crate
Crate training is invaluable when it comes to potty training. You see, dogs like to separate their sleeping area from their bathroom area. Therefore, if you are trying to house train your dog, crate them periodically in between bathroom breaks. Although crating is a great short-term way for you to take a break, do not leave them in there for an extended period of time.
How to train:
Step 1: leave the crate wide open and put a treat down in front of the crate. Give the go-into-the-crate command.
Step 2: Put a treat in the crate. Once they enter, do not close the door. Reward them with praises and treats. Repeat the process.
Step 3: Leave the treat in the crate and have your dog approach the crate on their own terms. Once your dog is in the crate, close the door halfway and provide them with a treat. Repeat the process.
Step 4: Give your dog the go-into-the-crate command, close the crate door, and provide a reward.
Sit and Lay Down
It’s cute when a small little puppy jumps up at you, but when a big dog charges at you, it can be an intimidating experience. Teaching your dog to sit can be especially helpful when your pup is in a social situation with other dogs. The sit command will help you control the situation, and it will also help you to keep your pup calm.
How to train:
Step 1: Put your dog on a leash, gently pull upwards and push their rear down with your hand. While you are doing so, give them the sit command. When they sit, provided lots of praises and treats.
Step 2: When they are comfortable sitting down with a leash on, remove the leash and give your dog the sit command. Repeat the process until your dog sits on demand.
Step 3: Have your dog get into the sit-down position. Next, tap on the ground and say “lay down”. Don’t force them by pressing down on their body, instead, lure them to the position with some treats. Repeat the process.
The Look-at-me Command
This trick will train your dog to pay attention to you at all times. When your puppy is in a high energy situation, the look-at-me command will most definitely come in handy.
How to train:
Step 1: Place the treat in front of your dog then move the treat closer to your eyes and say “look at me!” When they do, reward them with the treat.
Step 2: Use your finger to point to your eyes and give the look-at-me command. If they do look at you then you can provide them with treats. Repeat the process.
The No-biting Command
Young pups are often exploring around the house and chewing on anything they can get their mouths on. The chew toy, unfortunately, can sometimes be your hands. Play biting is often a harmless way of play. However, it could become extremely painful if you don’t put a stop to it.
How to train:
Step 1: Play with your dog, Once your bites down on your hands, make a loud noise to indicate that you are in pain.
Step 2: Next, put your hand in front of your puppy’s mouth. If your puppy continues to bite, make a loud painful sound again. When your puppy starts licking your hand, you may reward them with a treat.
Step 3: After the treat, redirect your pup’s attention to something appropriate for chewing. When they start chewing on the appropriate item, reward them with another treat. Repeat the process.
The Leave-it Command
I don’t know how many times the leave-it command has saved me because my dog is very much a shark, and by shark, I mean she circles around me and waits for me to drop something. The second I drop something, she goes for it. Now, if I had dropped items that are toxic, it would have been a disaster with an expensive vet bill. Therefore, it’s important to start teaching your pup the leave-it command, so that you can control them when they grab a hold of not-so-dog-friendly items.
How to train:
Step 1: Have a little fun time playing tuck-o-war with your dog. Once your dog gets a firm grip on the toy, say “drop it!”. As soon as you give this command, put the treat close to their nose. Your dog will now drop the toy in order to eat the treat. Repeat this process until they fully understand the command.
Step 2: Now, drop a random item on the ground. When your dog goes up to the item to explore, say “uh uh leave it!” and show them a treat. When they come to you for the treat, give them lots of praises. Repeat the process.
Now that you have these tricks up your sleeve, make sure you practice them with your pup every day! Remember, be consistent and set the boundary early.