While adorable, puppies require a lot of care. Learn how to make the change easier and support your pet’s development into a well-mannered dog.
Taking a dog home is such a thrill! There’s nothing better than cuddles and all that cuteness. Puppy advantage also includes the fact that they are essentially clean slates because they are too young to have developed many negative habits.
That being said, you are responsible for teaching your furry friend everything he needs to know about becoming a member of your family. Have questions about training a puppy? We asked Zoom Room’s certified dog trainer Heather Gillihan for advice on how to make the most of your new arrival.
Gillihan adds that even before you receive a puppy, you should start training to prepare yourself for success. Ensure that your home has been puppy-proofed and that you have all the necessities for a new dog. Decide in advance where you want your puppy to play, sleep, and relieve themselves. Think of the regions of the house that will be off-limits as well.
The greatest way to teach your puppy right from wrong is through positive reinforcement training. It is predicated on rewarding your puppy for a job well done with high-value rewards, such as pieces of cheese, poultry, or hot dogs. Your dog will learn from this that listening to its humans results in positive things happening.
Puppies require training in so many areas of life. Gillihan offers some expert advice on how to establish rules, instill good manners, and potty and crate train your newest member of the family.
The following are the procedures to follow:
1. Begin Your Training Right Away
The adorable things that puppies do make us chuckle easily. The issue? Those same habits, such as leaping up on people to receive attention, become bothersome when your dog is an adult. “One of the two of you is receiving training every minute of every engagement. Ensure it’s the dog and not you,” advises Gillihan. You won’t have to worry about the negative behaviors in the future if you stop encouraging them now.
2. Constantly Watch Your Puppy
Unattended puppy wandering can lead to disastrous outcomes, such as chewed-up items and accidents. Keep your dog in a small space or secure him to you with a leash or a longer house line when you are unable to be actively monitoring him.
3. Fill the Crate with Food:
Gillihan suggests feeding your puppy in the crate to help him link it with positive things. Shut the crate door after your pet has begun eating. However, as soon as he’s finished, let your dog out by opening the door. Increase how long your puppy spends in the crate before opening the gate as he grows accustomed to it. Take care not to frighten your dog by crate training him in little steps.
4. Create an Extra Cozy Bedtime
For your puppy, the first few evenings in a new location might be stressful. Place a comforting plush animal in your puppy’s crate. Some can even be warmed up to give your dog the impression that he is still sleeping with company. Some even have a heartbeat.
ALSO READ>HOW TO TRIM YOUR DOG NAILS NEATLY
5. Position the Crate Near Your Bed
You should sleep with your puppy directly beside you to help reduce the nervousness on the first night. To make your puppy’s kennel level with your bed (not in it), place it atop a sturdy table or chair. To get a closer look, you can stick your fingers through the crate door. When your puppy howls at night, put him back in the crate right away after taking him outside to relieve himself. Gradually, move the crate into the room your dog will sleep in, and then down to the floor, farther away from the bed.
6. Maintain a Timetable
According to Gillihan, the secret to quick toilet training is to have your dog on a routine. After eating, napping, or playing, the majority of pups have to use the toilet.
As soon as the sun rises, take your puppy outside to relieve itself. It’s time to return to the crate and settle down after that. Depending on your puppy’s activity level, playtime may only need to last 10 to 20 minutes because many pups will tire out before this time limit.
You can keep your puppy in the kennel longer if he falls asleep in it. However, after fifteen minutes, take your puppy out of the crate if he’s awake so he may go potty. If he refuses to leave, you return him to the container for a further fifteen minutes before trying again. After he discharges himself, he can resume playing. Potty, fun, and a crate break follow in order.
7. Gradually Increase Your puppy Access
If you let your dog too much freedom within the house, he will most likely have accident. Your dog should remain in a small space while you gradually let him explore the rest of the house. “A helpful guideline to follow is that for each month your puppy goes without having an accident in their designated area, they earn the privilege to explore an additional room.”
8. Recognize Potty Signs in Your Puppy
Observe your dog’s body language carefully as you take him outside to relieve himself. How does he get ready to conduct business? Your dog will exhibit the same actions within the home.
9. Set Up a Restroom Station
Provide your puppy with a designated area to hang out if you must leave the house for extended periods of time. You can make use of a playpen or caged room. Place a toilet mat and your puppy’s crate in this space along with their bed.
10. Instruct Your Dog Not to Bite
When they’re young, puppies prefer nibble, especially on your fingers and toes, and their teeth are sharp. If your dog bites too much, break up playtime to get him to stop. “Gillihan suggests stepping away, heading to the bathroom, and closing the door for approximately 10 or 20 seconds.” Additionally, you can reroute your dog’s attention from your body to a suitable chew toy
11. Get Social Immediately
Introducing your puppy to different environments, people, and animals is an excellent method of acclimating him to a range of circumstances. Certain veterinarians advise against taking pups out in public until they are 16 weeks old and have had all of their vaccines.
Puppies should, in the opinion of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), undergo socialization prior to receiving their full vaccination series.
“Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the leading cause of death for dogs younger than three years old, according to the AVSAB. To ensure that your dog doesn’t miss out on this important socialization phase, you may still introduce new things to them in a safe way.
ALSO READ>HOW TO PUT AN END TO YOUR DOG’S BARKING IN 2024
12. Include Training in Daily Activities
“Gillihan points out that you don’t need to dedicate 30 minutes of uninterrupted attention to training your puppy.” “Just use tiny segments throughout the day.” Practice simple cues like “sit” and “stay” when your coffee is brewing or when there’s a TV commercial.
13.Present Sweets as Prizes
Treats are something you’ll need in large quantities while training, so stock up. However, what happens when your dog gains confidence? According to Gillihan, you have to go from “bribe” to reward. Once your small dog has mastered the desired behavior, take the rewards away. Treats should be given to your dog occasionally in addition to constant praise for a job well done. You require less rewards when an activity turns into a habit.