Puppies can be such a wonderful addition to a family, bringing warmth, love, and adorable tail wagging! But, training a puppy to become a behaved member of the household can be a daunting task, requiring lots of patience and “good boy!” (or girl 😉). Check out these four tips to remember to help make that puppy training really stick.
1. Understand how dogs learn
Fundamentally, humans and dogs are different in the way we act on instructions, including our perceptions and attention spans when receiving those instructions. Dogs don’t adhere to instructions on the first attempt, and it’s of the utmost importance to refrain from showing frustration or anger when a puppy doesn’t “get” a command, as this will adversely impact their ability to assimilate information appropriately. Tip #2 will help with this notion as well.
2. Use positive reinforcement after every success
Dogs can sense emotions well, and it’s crucial to use positive words, tonality, and reinforcement during a successful training session. This will help your dog assimilate information better and also helps to develop a stronger bond between you and your furry companion. And, make sure the reinforcement is something your puppy really enjoys! This could be a beloved belly rub, happy “baby talk” to get his tail waggin’, and, of course, yummy treats. Check out this treat trial pack of our 5 flavors to find out what recipe your pup will love best - they break apart for quick & delicious training treats!
3. Introduce “spaces” in your home
Understanding and respecting boundaries is a common issue that puppy owners report with a new furry family member. It’s crucial to start your puppy early to help develop good boundary habits for the long term. To start, cordon off an area in your house with a fence and toss your pup’s favorite toys (and maybe some treats!) in this area. Once your dog is able to play around the demarcated area without problems, you can start to slowly increase the area of the space until they are able to listen to your commands successfully.
4. Repetition and patience are fundamental to success
A new puppy is a ball of energy that'll really test your patience. To name a few - they may have an accident on your favorite rug, tear up your shoes, and not listen to your commands. It's important to remember that the puppy phase will pass if you stay patient, understanding, and follow through on your job as a new puppy parent. Make sure you're rewarding your puppy after they perform "good" actions and speaking a firm "no!" after bad actions. Keep a calm, level head throughout the puppy phase and you'll have a best friend furever!
Originally published: December 2020
Updated: December 2021
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