Dog Training Tips for Puppies: Essential Training Techniques

Training your puppy requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Start with short training sessions, around 5-10 minutes, to keep them engaged and focused.

Positive reinforcement is key when training a puppy. Reward them with treats and praise when they perform the desired behavior.

Housebreaking is a crucial part of puppy training. Puppies can hold their bladder for a short period of time, typically around 1-2 hours.

Establishing a routine and sticking to it will help with housebreaking. Take your puppy outside to the same spot each time to create a connection between the location and the action.

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To start off on the right foot (and paw!), your pup needs to know what you expect. Knowing what is expected makes puppies feel secure in their ability to meet the goals laid out going forward.

Puppies can begin very simple training as soon as they come home, usually around 8 weeks old.

The foundation of training should be based on positive reinforcement, which is the process of giving a reward to encourage the behavior you want.

Avoid using punishment such as leash corrections or yelling, as it can cause a dog to become confused and unsure about what is being asked of them.

Reinforcement can be anything your dog likes, such as small pieces of high-value food or lavish praise.

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Keep training sessions short and fun, ending each session on a positive note. This will help your puppy stay engaged and motivated.

The "Basic 5" cues will give your puppy a strong foundation for any future training. It's essential to establish a solid foundation early on to make future training easier.

If you feel your dog is having a difficult time learning or being "stubborn", evaluate the speed of your training and the value of your rewards. This will help you identify areas where you need to adjust your approach.

Puppy teeth are sharp, and they like to gnaw, especially on fingers and toes. Ending playtime if they bear down too hard is an effective way to get them to stop biting.

Redirecting your dog to an appropriate chew toy can also help prevent biting. This will keep your fingers and toes safe.

Starting small can be helpful, particularly when it comes to more complex behaviors. Breaking behaviors down into smaller parts can make them easier to learn.

Try praising and rewarding your dog when they take even one step towards you during training. This will help build their confidence and make the learning process smoother.

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Housebreaking is a crucial part of puppy training, and establishing a schedule can make it faster and easier. Most puppies need to go potty after they eat, nap, or have a play session, so take your puppy out to go potty first thing in the morning.

A good rule of thumb is to give your puppy 30 to 45 minutes of playtime after they've gone potty, but this can vary depending on their energy level. If your puppy is awake after 15 minutes in the crate, it's time to take them out again.

Puppies need to go potty regularly, so take them outside at these key times: when they wake up, before bed, after every meal, after playtime or exercise, after any excitement, and before you leave them and when you come back. You can also try to establish a routine of taking your puppy outside every 45 minutes to an hour, depending on their age.

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To help your puppy learn to go potty in the right place, keep an eye out for their potty signs, such as circling or sniffing in a specific area. If you catch your puppy doing these behaviors, it's a good idea to take them outside right away.

Here are some key times to take your puppy outside for potty breaks:

Day 1 is crucial for setting the tone for your dog's behavior. Every minute, with every interaction, one of the two of you is being trained, so make sure it's the puppy, not you.

It's essential to avoid encouraging bad behaviors right now, like jumping up on people to get attention. This will save you from dealing with them in the future.

Keeping a schedule is key to fast potty training, says Gillihan. Most puppies need to go potty after they eat, nap, or have a play session.

First thing in the morning, take your puppy out to go potty. If your puppy relieved himself, then he's earned 30 to 45 minutes of playtime. After that, it's time to go back to the crate to settle down.

Puppies will get tired before this time period is up, so playtime might only need to last 10 to 20 minutes depending on the energy level of your puppy.

Here's a rough outline of the sequence: potty, playtime, and then a crate break.

If your puppy falls asleep in the crate, you can leave him in there longer. But if he's awake, take your puppy out of the crate after 15 minutes and give him an opportunity to go potty.

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Let your puppy have the run of the home too quickly and he'll likely have accidents.

A good rule of thumb is that for every month your puppy goes without having an accident in his primary space, he gets access to another room.

Positive reinforcement training is the most effective method of dog training, and it's all about rewarding good behavior.

Almost all vets agree that this approach is the way to go, and it's not just because it's fun for you and your dog. By rewarding good behavior, you're reinforcing the association between good things and good behavior.

Make sure to use rewards that your dog loves, whether that's a tasty treat or a fun play session. Some dogs are food-motivated, while others prefer soft, chewy treats or even just plenty of affection.

Don't be afraid to mix things up and keep training interesting, like incorporating short play sessions or training your dog to do tricks. Our dogs pick up on our enthusiasm, so make sure to show your excitement when they learn something new.

Use treats as rewards, but make sure to phase them out as your dog becomes more confident. Hide the treats and praise your dog for a job well done, but only occasionally reward with treats.

Remember, you don't have to commit a lot of time to training - just use tiny segments throughout the day, like practicing basic cues while your coffee is brewing. This will help your dog learn and retain new behaviors.

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Socialization is key to a well-adjusted and confident puppy. Introducing your puppy to new places, people, and other pets is a great way to help him become familiar with a variety of situations.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends socialization before your puppy is fully vaccinated, as behavioral issues are the number one cause of death for dogs under 3 years of age. You can still safely expose your dog to new things during this crucial socialization period.

Take your puppy on short trips to new places, such as parks, pet stores, and friend's homes. This will help him become comfortable in new environments and reduce anxiety.

Some vets recommend waiting until your puppy receives all of their vaccinations at 16 weeks before taking them out in public. However, you can still start socializing your puppy now to make the most of this critical period.

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Crating your puppy can help with training and safety. It's essential to introduce your dog to the crate gradually and in a positive way.

Place the crate in a high-traffic area of your home, such as the family room, and make sure it's comfortable and inviting. You can put a soft blanket or bed inside to make it cozy.

Some dogs will take to the crate right away, but others may need some encouragement. You can try dropping treats nearby, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate.

Here are some tips for introducing your dog to the crate:

Remember to keep your departures matter-of-fact and low-key when crating your dog, and avoid rewarding excited behavior upon your return.

Once your dog is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short periods of time while you're home. This is a crucial step in helping your dog get comfortable with the crate.

Start by calling your dog over to the crate and giving them a treat. Give them a voice cue to enter, such as "crate", and encourage them by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat and close the door.

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Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time and then let them out. Repeat this process several times a day, gradually increasing the length of time you leave them in the crate and the length of time you're out of sight.

Here's a rough guide to help you pace yourself: Time in crateTime out of sight5-10 minutes5-10 minutes10-20 minutes10-20 minutes30 minutes30 minutes

Once your dog will stay quietly in the crate for about 30 minutes with you mostly out of sight, you can begin leaving them crated when you're gone for short time periods and/or letting them sleep there at night.

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To help your dog feel safe and secure, teaching them to stay can be a lifesaver. You can start by teaching the "stay" cue, which will remain a fundamental part of their training.

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First, you'll need to teach the release word, such as "OK" or "free." This is a crucial step in teaching your dog to stay. Stand with your puppy in a sit or a stand, toss a treat on the floor, and say your word as they step forward to get the treat.

To make progress, repeat this a couple of times until you can say the word first and then toss the treat after they begin to move. This teaches the dog that the release cue means to move your feet. It's essential to keep it fun and engaging for your dog.

Gradually increase the time you wait between treats, starting with a short duration like 1-2 seconds, and then gradually increase it. If your dog gets up before the release cue, that's okay! It just means they aren’t ready to sit for that long, so you can make it easier by going back to a shorter time.

To add distance to your dog's stay, start by standing one step back and saying "stay." Then, step back to the pup and give a treat and your release word. Continue building in steps, keeping it easy enough that your dog can stay successful.

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Here's a rough outline of how to add distance to your dog's stay:

Remember to practice both facing your dog and walking away with your back turned, which is more realistic. With patience and consistency, your dog will learn to stay in no time.

Leash training is a crucial part of puppy training, and it's best to start early. Consistency is key, so choose a cue like "let's go" or "forward" and stick to it.

Puppies may feel uncomfortable wearing a leash at first, so be patient and give them treats as you put it on. This will help them get used to the feeling. Give your puppy treats as you put the leash on each time.

To begin leash training, stand next to your puppy with the leash in a loose loop and give them several treats in a row for standing or sitting next to your leg. Take one step forward and encourage them to follow by giving another treat as they catch up.

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Leaving your puppy alone can be a challenge, but with a solid plan, you can set them up for success. You can start by crate training, which helps your puppy feel safe and secure when you're not around.

Crate your dog for short periods when you leave the house, starting with 30 minutes. This will help them get used to being alone without getting anxious or afraid. Put them in the crate using your regular command and a treat, and leave them with a few safe toys.

Vary the moment during your "getting ready to leave" routine that you put your dog in the crate. You can crate them anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving, so it's not always the same for them. Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged - keep them matter-of-fact.

Praise your dog briefly, give them a treat for entering the crate, and then leave quietly. This will help them understand that being crated is a normal part of life, not something to get excited about.

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Loose-leash walking is a crucial part of leash training, and it's amazing how much of a difference it can make in your relationship with your dog. Consistency is key, so choose a cue like "let's go" or "forward" and stick to it.

Dogs can get confused if you change your cue, so it's essential to be consistent. Whether you walk on the left or right side is up to you, but make sure your dog knows where you want them.

You can start by making sure your puppy is comfortable wearing a leash. This might take some time, so be patient and give them treats as you put the leash on each time. Eventually, they'll get used to it.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you teach your dog loose-leash walking:

Remember, loose-leash walking is all about rewarding good behavior and ignoring bad behavior. With patience and consistency, your dog will learn to walk happily at your side.