Training Tips for Puppy Owners

These tips will help you and your new companion adjust well with as few problems as possible

1. Start early

There is no such thing as being too early to train your puppy. From the moment your puppy gets home, you should give them some time to rest and get used to the house.

In a week’s time, you can start with some basic dog training. This will help the puppy adjust to your schedule and mould him into a responsible dog as he grows.     

2. Positive reinforcement is better than negative reinforcement

While bad behaviour should not go uncorrected, it will be much easier for you to enforce good behaviour through verbal praise and treats rather than reprimand a dog for doing the wrong thing. Never fail to compliment good behaviour, no matter how insignificant it might seem. Your dog will love the attention and will be motivated to repeat this behaviour.

3. Nip problems before they grow roots

Any unwanted behaviour should be corrected before it becomes a habit. Whether it is excessive barking or peeing on furniture, let the dog know that such behaviour is wrong. Do not hold back on correcting a puppy because you think they are young and the behaviour will grow out of them. The more you ignore bad behaviour, the more it becomes rooted in the dog. In the end, it will be very difficult and stressful to get your dog to stop bad behaviour.

Correct bad behaviour immediately it occurs so the dog can make the association of bad behaviour with correction. Never correct a dog long after the wrong has been done since the puppy will not know what the correction is for. 

4. Establish your superiority over the dog

As the puppy owner, let the puppy know you are boss. Be assertive when giving commands; However, be careful that you are not so dominant that your puppy becomes scared of you. Do not yell at the puppy or mishandle him in your bid to establish your superiority over the puppy.    

5. Keep it fun and simple

Your puppy may not be as enthusiastic as you to train. If you want to get good results, you have to ensure the puppy is interested in whatever you are doing and looks forward to it.

In the beginning, training should be simple then, as the puppy grows older you can move to more advanced training.

Make training fun for you and your dog, if the puppy is a bit slow to respond, do not lose your temper be patient.     

6. Be informed

Information is your best friend when it comes to training. Read more about general dog behaviour. This will help you understand the basis of some behaviour your puppy shows. It will also help you in knowing what to expect and thus keep you prepared for certain changes the puppy may undergo.

Information will also help you to know what works and what doesn’t. It is then easier to choose the best kind of training for your dog.

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