How to Train a Puppy
Getting a new puppy is a very exciting and fun time. However before you ever bring one home, you must learn how to train a puppy and start the process as soon as you bring him home. This will ensure that you end up with a well trained and confident dog. The time you spending training your puppy will benefit you and your dog for years to come.
Although there are various methods on how to train a puppy, certain basic principles should be kept in mind. Using positive reinforcement to reward your puppy for behavior that you want rather than punishing for bad behavior is going to be much more effective and will result in the puppy trusting you and becoming a confident, well behaved dog. In order for your puppy to learn you must be patient and consistent in your training.
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Getting Started on Training a Puppy
Reward your puppy on a consistent basis when he urinates outdoors or learns a new command. The rewards need to be meaningful such as a tasty treat or physical affection or verbal praise. You must also be patient and understand that a puppy is a young animal and you are teaching him new things and that he is bound to make mistakes. Puppies don’t know that it is bad to pee on the carpet.
You will want to train your puppy in several important areas. House training, crate training, learning commands, and leash training. You need to bond with your dog and establish that you are the leader. Your puppy needs to learn to trust you and follow your lead. The key to successful puppy training is keeping your training sessions fun, short and consistent.
Remember that it is far easier and more effective to train a puppy and get him off to a good start than it is trying to undo established bad behavior and habits later on when your dog is older. Make the commitment to setting aside sufficient time to properly train your puppy. Repetition and patience is necessary in order for your puppy to learn.
Crate Training Your Puppy
Crate training your puppy is necessary for your pup’s safety and well being if you are going to be away from home. Dogs are den animals and a crate can provide a measure of security for a puppy, lessen the potential for separation anxiety, and keep your puppy from chewing up and destroying your furniture and household items. The crate also helps with housebreaking as dogs do not like to soil the place where they sleep.
You want your puppy’s crate to be a comfortable, safe and enjoyable place. When first introducing your puppy to his crate you can leave small treats in the crate for him to find, feed him in the crate and leave toys for him inside. Praise your puppy when he goes into the crate, but do not try to force him in. When first leaving him in the crate overnight you may want to place the crate near your bed if possible. Crate the puppy for short periods while you are at home before leaving him crated for long periods of time alone.
House Training Your Puppy
House training your puppy is also another important step in his training process. You need to take your puppy out often when is young and praise and reward him for going outdoors. Punishing him for going indoors is ineffective.
Another important aspect of house training is taking your puppy out to a designated area and not leaving until he has relieved himself. Then immediately praise and reward him. Crating your puppy at night will also help, as dogs do not like to dirty their sleep area.
How to train puppy also includes teaching him basic commands such as sit, down, and leave. These can be taught using hand signals along with your vocal command. You should use positive reinforcement, rewarding your puppy with treats and praise for learning these commands.