Puppy Training Tips and Taming

Puppy Training a new pup around your home is such an exciting experience. It’s an avalanche of cuteness between cuddles and snuggles. The great thing about a new pet is that they offer a clean slate and fresh start for pet parents.

Puppies have not yet picked up too many bad habits, but this also means that you have to train and tame them from scratch. Regardless of whether your puppy is from a shelter or an offspring of your loving dog, you will have to put some work in.

So take some time off from the cuddles and follow the tips below to train and tame your new pup.

1.        Get a Head Start on Puppy Training

If you have not yet gotten your puppy, you have an even better opportunity to set yourself up for success. Puppy Training and taming starts by puppy-proofing your home and getting all the necessary supplies you need before the puppy arrives.

Designate the areas where the puppy can go and the areas that are off-limits. Pick spots for where your puppy will play, sleep, and go to the toilet. Having a setup ahead of time can be extremely helpful, especially for new pet parents. It also helps to bring your puppy home early in the day, so they have more time to settle in before dark.

2.        Learn about Positive Reinforcement

There are many different methods and techniques to train and tame pets, work animals, and wild animals. Some methods work better for certain animals, while others work better for other animals.

When it comes to puppies, positive reinforcement is the best approach and you should learn everything you can about it. In a nutshell, it means using positive stimuli such as a treat for example, to reward good behaviour and reinforce or encourage it.

Giving your pup bits of chicken or a treat when they do the right thing can help them reinforce that behaviour. They learn good from bad and quickly catch on that doing good things leads to tasty rewards.

3.        Training a Puppy from Day One

Every interaction with your new puppy is puppy training and reinforcing their behaviour. What may seem cute right now can easily become a nuisance when they are older. Snuggle, cuddle, and love them as much as you like, but make sure you are not encouraging any bad behaviour.

4.        Always Be Present

A pup is like a new-born baby, you or someone else has to be around all the time. If you aren’t there to supervise, they may go to the toilet in the wrong place, gnaw on the wrong thing, or swallow something dangerous.

If you cannot supervise, consider confining your puppy to a safe room or area. Alternatively, you can leash them to yourself with a line that is long enough for them to move about and not bother you all the time.

5.        Crate Puppy Training

Your puppy may not like spending time in the crate initially, but this is where early crate training comes in. Puppy training via a crate is crucial to tame your new pet. Start by feeding all their meals in the crate, so they start to associate the crate with a good experience.

Once they start eating, close the door. However, you must make sure to open the crate door as soon as they are done eating. Gradually increase the time you take to open the crate door after meals.

This will help train your puppy to get comfortable with the crate. At bedtime, place the crate close to your bed, at least for the first few nights to help them acclimate. You should be in your puppy’s sight, but do not place them in your bed.

Put a plush toy in the crate before closing, for some added comfort. If you feel that the puppy is getting anxious, place their crate on a sturdy table next to your bed, and poke your finger through to comfort them.

Over time, gradually move the crate away from your bed and in the room you want your pet to sleep in.

6.        Develop a Routine for Puppy Training

A daily routine is critical to train and tame your new puppy. It also helps with puppy training to use a the toilet. Start the day by taking them out to go to the toilet. They will typically have to go to the toilet after meals, naps, and playtime.

Give your puppy around 20 to 30 minutes of playtime after they relieve themselves, and then take them to their crate. If they do not go to the toilet, it’s 15 minutes in the crate, then try again. Repeat as needed. If they go, reward them with some playtime.

Keeping track of your puppy’s body language before they go to the toilet. Over time, you will learn the signs of when it’s time to go. Have a designated toilet area or station in your home as well, which they can access from their playpen or hang out area.

Train them to go there the same way and develop a routine, so that there are no accidents even when you are not around.

7.        Tame Biting & Gnawing

It’s natural for puppies to bite and gnaw. It’s mostly playful, but this can turn into a bad habit. Tame your puppy by ending playtime anytime they bite down on you harder than usual. Even walking away disappointed and shutting yourself in the bathroom for 15 seconds will get the message across.

If they gnaw on things they aren’t supposed to, redirect them to a chew toy. If they persist, end playtime and walk away. It won’t take long for your new puppy to stop biting and gnawing on you, others, and things in your home.

8.        Puppy Training & Taming Should Be a Constant

You do not have to take an hour out of your day to train or tame your puppy. It is a constant thing that happens throughout the day. A minute here, a minute there. Reward good behaviour with small treats, and punish bad behavior by ending playtime.

Train them to understand signs and verbal cues to sit and stay, and give a reward when they get it right. Do this at intervals throughout the day, and soon your puppy will perfect basic cues and move on to more complex commands.

Once your puppy learns something, gradually start hiding the treats and only give them out occasionally. Always praise good behaviour. You want to transition them from treats to verbal praise for getting things right. Over time, good behaviour will turn into good habits.

Conclusion on Puppy Training

Getting a new pup is one of the best joys of life. You make a new best friend who will cherish you and be by your side. Follow the aforementioned tips to train and tame a puppy, and you should have no trouble grooming them into a great pet everyone loves and adores, even after the cute puppy phase is over.

If you want to learn more about training and taming your puppy, other tips and tricks, or about the best pet care products, be sure to visit our website and check out our blog.