Training fosters trusting relationships between a puppy and
its owners. Discover the best times and methods for training your new best
friend.
When Should You Begin Puppy Training?
Puppy training should begin as early as seven weeks of age.
Previously, many professional dog trainers and veterinarians advised pet
parents to wait until their puppies had completed all of their vaccinations
before beginning training. However, this meant that many new puppies began
obedience training after a critical period in their lives for socialization,
which typically began at three weeks of age and ended at four months of age.
Most behavioural issues, such as fear, aggression, and
avoidance, emerge at eight weeks of age, making training difficult for new dog
owners. As a result, many trainers, veterinarians, and animal behaviourists
advise pet parents to begin puppy socialization at seven to eight weeks of age,
assuming the dog is healthy. Basic commands and leash manners can also be
taught at this age; more complex challenges, such as crate training and potty
training, may follow between the ages of ten and sixteen weeks.
What to Start With When Training a Puppy
A training schedule can be followed by dog owners and their
new puppy. Here are some ideas for where to begin when training a puppy:
1. Socialization: Socialization is the foundation of dog
training, and it entails exposing your puppy to new stimuli. Begin
socialization between the ages of three and twenty weeks to acclimate puppies
to their new home and environment. Introduce puppies to other dogs and family
members, expose them to loud noises, and discourage bad habits such as nipping
or chewing.
2. Basic commands: At seven to eight weeks of age,
teach your puppy the basic obedience commands of sit, stay, and come. Give each
command verbally and use a treat or kibble to guide them into position. Once
they've completed the command, reward them with the treat and plenty of
positive reinforcement, or use a clicker to signal that they've earned a treat
before giving them the reward.
3. Leash training: A puppy should be leash trained
between the ages of seven and eight weeks. Begin leash training inside until
the puppies have received all of their vaccinations. Begin by attaching a leash
to your dog's collar and allowing them to wear it for short periods of time
while you offer treats to encourage them to come to you. Allow the puppy to
walk inside without a leash once they're fully vaccinated, and then move the
training sessions outside.
4. Crate training: Puppies are ready to learn crate
training between the ages of eight and ten weeks. Begin by introducing the
puppy to the crate for ten minutes at a time every day, rewarding them with
treats and positive reinforcement when they remain calm inside the crate.
Increase their crate time gradually: A puppy aged eight to ten weeks can
tolerate thirty to sixty minutes in the crate per day, whereas adult dogs have
enough bladder control to stay in the crate for up to five hours.
5. Potty training: Begin potty training your puppy when
he or she is twelve to sixteen weeks old. A consistent schedule is essential
for puppy potty training. Begin by establishing a "potty spot"”a
location outside where the puppy can pee and poop”and taking them there at
regular intervals throughout the day. Puppies require potty breaks when they
wake up in the morning, after meals, water, and naps, when they leave their
crate, and before they go to bed.
6. Walks: When your puppy is sixteen to eighteen weeks
old, start walking them and accustoming them to wearing a collar. Allow your
puppy to sit before you begin walking for the first time, and then signal them
to move with a clicker or verbal command. Keep initial walks brief and
gradually increase distance before expanding your walks or moving to new
locations such as a dog park.
5 Tips for Training a Puppy
After bringing their new puppy home, dog owners can benefit
from a variety of training tips. Among the best are:
1. Be consistent in your cues. Repetition is essential for
making training sessions second nature to puppies. For each obedience training
session, use the same verbal cues or hand gestures. Maintain a consistent
routine in terms of bedtime, playtime, and feedings. Always give praise or
treats for good behavior.
2. Be patient. When training puppies, mistakes are to be
expected. Potty training takes time, so keep puppy pads and enzymatic cleaner
on hand in case of an indoor bathroom accident while house training. To reduce
lunging or pulling, frequent dog walks are required.
3. Keep training sessions short. Puppies' attention
spans are notoriously short, so keep initial training sessions brief: five
minutes per session for a total of fifteen minutes per day. Always conclude
training sessions with positive reinforcement, tasty treats, or playtime so
they look forward to the next one.
4. Try loose leash walking. Loose leash training is an
effective early leash training method for puppies. Allow your puppy to walk
close to you on your left side while you maintain a firm grip on your leash. If
the dog pulls or walks ahead of you, stop walking or turn around, and praise
the dog when it sits and waits for your command.
5. Use a crate for house training. A crate or kennel is
an excellent tool for house training. Create a "housetraining
triangle" by taking your puppy outside for a potty break, bringing it back
inside for free time, and then crate them for three hours, followed by the
process again. Increase their playtime while decreasing their time in the crate
by 15 to 20 minutes per day.
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