5 Puppy-Training Tips for New Dog Owners
Allison Tunin
Do you feel that? Feel what? The rush of excitement that comes with welcoming a new little ball of fur into the family!
Welcome to the colorful world of canine chaos!
These five puppy-training tips will set you up for the win to raise a canine companion worthy of the affirmation good dog.
Be sure your new puppy knows what to expect by making sure the whole family understands the rules.
Tip 1: Puppy training means training the family first.
Before launching any master plan to create the perfect dog (emphasis added due to the extreme truth that every dog owner believes they have the best dog—and none of them are wrong), it’s vital to make sure every person involved in the puppy training is on the same page. “A house divided will fall,” is a wise warning. Before bringing home your newly-adopted, four-legged family member, remember to take time to set clear expectations and boundaries with the people in your household.
Consider these questions:
• Will the puppy get scraps from the table?
• Who handles clean-up of accidents and feeding time?
• Where will the puppy sleep and who’ll be responsible for walks, grooming, etc.?
• Will training come from a puppy school or will someone in the family take on the role of pack leader to teach?
• What toys are acceptable and what room(s) will the puppy be allowed in?
Knowing the answers to these easy-to-overlooked questions ahead of time will not only make the transition easier for the humans involved, but it’ll give Puppy clear rules to follow and create a sense of regularity for everyone.
Make your puppy's space welcoming and safe. Dogs are hardwired to retreat to their own space when scared or tired.
Tip 2: Stick to the puppy-training rules and boundaries.
It can be SO incredibly tempting to bring the puppy onto the bed to cuddle at night (throwback to Lady & the Tramp feels) or to cave in to the whimpers as they frantically dig at the bowl for more food. But each decision made to break the rules just this once adds more weight to the scale of future bad habits, especially with Pup at such an impressionable age.
Puppies (just like human children) are fast learners; if they discover they can get away with something, they will.
Sometimes it can feel like only the worst dog owner ever would do things like stop water bowl access hours before bedtime or imprison the poor little thing in a kennel or crate, but these boundaries will not only keep Puppy safe and healthy, they’ll keep the training moving forward in the right direction, thus saving you from forming bad habits or finding “surprise gifts” on your carpet in the morning.
Though you may have to take Puppy outside the first few nights as they adjust to the new schedule, it won’t be forever. Controlling water intake will help control accidents at night and encourage a dog’s natural instincts of not soiling their sleeping place, reinforcing self-control.
Having a crate or kennel for the puppy will create a “safe space” for them to rest and feel secure. You’ll probably even find Pup returning to the kennel to take naps in the middle of the day, or whenever they need a break from their new pack. (Hey, puppies get overwhelmed with us, too!)
Teach your puppy patience by slowly lowering a treat. They only get it if they stay seated until it reaches their nose.
Tip 3: Puppy training is all about YOUR reactions.
Again, just like human kids, dogs learn from what we do and how we react. They pick up on our energy, tone of voice, and body language.
Keep your voice in a calm, even volume when you arrive home. When rewarding the puppy, make sure your tone is happy and excited that they got something right! If you need to convey disappointment, do so with a shameful tone. Loud, startling sounds should be saved for times you need your puppy to stop what they’re doing immediately (such as squatting to potty on the floor or eating something they shouldn’t).
Don’t let the puppy’s energy determine your energy. Rather, set the energy level yourself. Stand still or turn your back when the puppy jumps up or barks, after they realize they aren't drawing you into their excitement, they'll calm down. If Puppy decides to turn elsewhere for entertainment, that's the moment to help them focus by directing the attention back to the sitting position. Puppies learn quickly. Soon they'll learn the best way to get attention is to behave.
An extra tip for practicing the self-control side of your puppy training is to slowly lower a treat or a toy from above. Only allow Pup to have it if they sit the whole way through.
"Four on the floor," is a good phrase to use while practicing patience. It's a unique command and will not be confused with any other words.
If the pup jumps to get it, direct them to return to the original position, and begin lowering it again. It won’t take long before the puppy understands that, to get the item he wants, he must stay in the sit position.
This exercise will help ENORMOUSLY when it’s time to teach stay or come. This exercise may, initially, take some patience, but the pay off is a well-behaved dog that will charm guests rather than overwhelm them. We all know and appreciate those well-behaved animals when visiting someone's home.
Practice walking past dogs and people (not too close!) at a park or in public to get your pup used to other sights, sounds, and smells.
Tip 4: Puppy training is physical AND mental.
As a new dog owner, you may be uneasy or even embarrassed to take your unruly young canine to the park for a walk or to the groomer for a haircut and bath. Unpredictable behavior in public is common and a valid fear for many dog owners.
Puppy training at home is one thing, but handling your animal in public, where potential accidents could happen, is quite another.
Everything from trimming nails and cleaning ears at the groomer to simply walking past another dog on the sidewalk, can cause serious issues if the puppy has not been properly socialized to the world around him.
One of the best ways to prevent these unwanted issues from happening is to set aside time to work on your puppy training in public. If your puppy is enrolled in a training course this may be included, but it’s always good to get some practice on your own.
Remember, puppy training is as much for you as it is for your little fur ball. Practice walking past other dogs with your puppy (not too close!) at the park or on the sidewalk. Ask passers-by to pet the puppy’s ears and feet and to help you keep his energy at the right level by using the above tips. Get Puppy used to being touched and talked to by strangers. This will encourage positive interactions outside the family pack and help Puppy feel confident, not anxious, in social situations, especially when it comes time to go to the vet!
Sometimes only a tennis ball will do! Discover your dog's favorite thing and use it to motivate good behavior.
Tip 5: Customize your puppy’s training.
Please, please understand not every dog is motivated by the same things.
Many new dog owners assume treats are what every puppy wants and can’t understand why when an unimpressed nose is turned up at the offered edibles.
Just as if you were trying to study while being distracted by something, a puppy can easily lose interest if the prize being offered isn’t their cup of tea.
Learning the specific motivations and interests of your puppy is one of the most fun things about being a new dog owner. The uniqueness of your animal is much the same as any human! We are all so different.
If you discover your dog loves ice more than anything else in the world, use that (it’s one of the cheapest treats)!
If your new four-legged family member is obsessed with squeaky toys, find the one that always makes them cock their head and listen.
A great way to discover what motivates your puppy is to go shopping at your local pet store. Walk up and down each aisle and let Pup sniff and check out the toy and treat sections. Introduce the store’s workers to your new puppy and ask questions. They may be able to offer you suggestions, having seen all kinds of dog personalities in their profession.
Whatever ends up being the it factor for your new puppy, embrace it, and enjoy finding ways to use it as a reward.
We all love our dogs. They’re members of our family, and we want them to fit into society as the happy, healthy, pleasant companions they’re meant to be.
The most important thing for a new dog owner to remember is nothing will be perfect. Puppy training is a long road of patience and hard work. But creating good habits will allow you and your dog to thrive in peace and happiness, not just at home, but anywhere, because you have invested the time and effort to teach them how to be a good dog.
Keep digging to find more bones! Click here for 10 Ways to Tell if Your Dog has PTSD and How to Overcome it.
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Posted Aug 31, 2024
I wrote this 1,500+ word in-depth dog blog to help new dog owners get the most out of training their puppy. The tone is direct, but sincere.
