Without a guide or a how-to, dog training can seem a bit difficult. That's why we're here to help with our 101 guide to new puppy training. Of course we can't cover everything in detail, but this guide will give you the basic idea of how to train your new pup.
Basic How-To Dog Training Tips
Your puppy's not going to train itself, and that puts a fair amount of responsibility in your hands. There are a few things that can make your experience smoother.
Start training and socializing your dog as soon as possible.
Use an obedience program to help with your training.
Make sure to use positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
Basic Dog Training Styles
There are a lot of different dog training styles that can be useful. Here are some of the most common.
Use treats. Rewarding your dog with treats is one of the easiest and most popular ways to train. This is especially useful for dogs that love food.
Vocal affirmations. Dogs that are highly social might be more responsive to vocal affirmations, but not all dogs do well with only vocal training.
Clicker training has become more and more popular because... well, it works. A clicker is a device that emits a certain sound to let your dog know that they have succesfully completed a certain behaviour.
Dog Training - Basic Commands
There are lots of commands that you can train your dog to follow, but it's important to master the basics first. These are the most important dog training commands.
Sit
For most people, the first command that they teach their dog is how to sit. This command is important because it can neutralize intense situations and call your dog's attention back to you.
Training your dog to sit can be done with a leash in an enclosed area. Position your dog in front of you while holding a treat in one hand, then hold that treat above your dog's head so he looks up and back until he ends up in a sitting position. Give him the treat.
Stay
Stay is important because it tells your dog to stop moving. This can literally be a life-saver in a dangerous situation.
Again, start in an enclosed area with your dog off-leash. Get your dog to sit, then extend your palm outwards - common body language for 'stop.' While doing this, firmly say, "stay."
Take one step back. If your dog stays in position, slowly move back towards them and give them a treat.
Gradually increase the distance between you and your pup, treating them every time that they stay still.
Socializing
Socializing involves exposing your dog to new people, other animals, and especially other dogs so that they become used to the idea of meeting other living beings.
It's important to start socializing your pup as early as possible. This helps to prevent social behavior problems later in life.
Conclusion
Training a new puppy takes dedication, but it's always rewarding in the end. Now that you know the basics of puppy training, get to it!
