4 Steps to Training Your Puppy

So you just brought a new puppy home and you’re more excited to play with him than you are to start training him. But before you go for walks exploring the neighborhood and giving him free reign of the house, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

While you’re waiting until the 16 week mark to get the last vaccination and the okay to go to dog parks, there are lots of things you can do indoors to start leash training and train some basic commands.

Be the alpha dog

Puppies are naturally inclined to follow a strong, stable, consistent leader. Don’t get bulldozed by your puppy’s cuteness into being just his friend. Begin right away when you take him home. The best way to prevent bad habits is to be a strong pack leader right from day one, so your puppy can grow into a balanced, stable, relaxed dog.

Go for a walk inside

If you can’t yet take your furry friend for a walk in the neighborhood, you can introduce a collar and leash to him and go for mock “walks” inside your home. This will get him used to you leading him around when you go walking outdoors.

Housebreaking

Dogs instinctually never go in their dens, so you could say that housebreaking is already in their DNA. In the early stages, make sure your puppy has a place to relieve himself that looks and feels familiar. Bring your puppy to this spot often. Once he has gone, reward him with some extra affection, words of praise or a treat.

Practice simple commands

Anywhere from 3-6 months is a good time to start introducing basic commands like sit, down, stay, come. When you’re training your puppy, make sure everyone in your home is using the same words for each so you don’t confuse your him. Stay consistent with training time and reward the desired behavior right away. Make it fun so your dog has positive associations with training.

If you need a more intensive training session, contact us for a training session so your dog can be in tip top shape!