How To Train a Puppy
It is never a good idea to own a dog and not at least house train it and teach it obedience. This is why learning how to train a puppy is so crucial if you now own a puppy or are planning to get one.
Without the necessary skills it can be very hard to get through the puppy stage of your dog’s life. Here are some tips that will help you train a puppy the right way.
1. Start Early
Don’t put off studying how to train a puppy for later. The longer you let your puppy live with bad habits the harder it will be to break them. You should not allow your puppy to do things you don’t want him to do when he is an adult. However, don’t get angry at him, he doesn’t know any better.
2. Socialize Your Puppy
You want your puppy to play and interact with other dogs while he is still a young puppy. This is because your dog may not react well to other dogs if you wait until he is an adult. This can lead to fighting, biting or other problems. So start by taking your puppy to the park or to visit a friend who also has a dog. Your puppy needs friends just like us humans do.
3. Develop A Trusting Relationship
Before you start using any techniques you learned about how to train a puppy, make sure you develop a relationship. If your puppy thinks you are cruel or does not love and trust you then it will not listen to or follow any of your commands. A rebellious dog can cause a lot of heartache and problems later on so make sure to avoid this by spending quality time with him.
4. Focus On The Positive
Just like kids, puppies love to be rewarded with treats or attention. Your puppy will most likely do pretty much anything to get a treat. So use this to your advantage while learning how to train a puppy with positive reinforcement.
5. Never Drag A Puppy
If your puppy is being stubborn don’t resort to dragging it by a leash. If you need to, pick up your puppy and carry him where you need him to go. There is no need to hurt your puppy out of frustration.
6. Stop Dog Chewing In Its Tracks
Even though your puppy will be teething it is no excuse to chew up your belongings. If you continue to allow your puppy to chew on household items then he will continue to do it as an adult because you had demonstrated that this was acceptable by not stopping him sooner.
7. Study How To Train A Puppy Yourself
There are no obedience classes you could take your puppy to that will do this for you. Dog training classes teach the owner, not the dog anyway. Sure, you could get a professional trainer to come to your home and work with your puppy but that can leave you with a very hefty bill.
