The ultimate puppy training guide
Owning a puppy can be a time of immense joy, but also one of anxiety and stress. It is hard to know where to start with training and what to prioritize, but this guide will direct you through the core skills required to raise a confident, happy dog that enhances your family life.
Ground rules
Some rules of engagement before you get stuck in.
Positive reinforcement: Never use physical punishment against your dog. It can make a puppy fearful and may lead to anxieties or aggression. Positive reinforcement is far more effective.
Consistency is crucial: All family members must be consistent with training using the same commands and hand signals. Otherwise, you’ll confuse the puppy and prolong the training process.
Little and often: This will be your new mantra. That's all it takes with puppies, as their attention spans are not long. And frankly, few of us have endless hours in the day to dedicate to dog training. Aim for 2-10 minutes of training per session, with a goal of doing this more than once a day if you can. For example, you and your partner could each do a daily stint.
Routine: Dogs love routine, so if you can fit training time into your regular daily schedule, that will benefit both you and your dog. After everyone has been fed and before we settle down for the evening works well for us, when things are calm. But I also fit it in while the kettle is boiling and during TV ads.
Have fun: Your training sessions should only last as long you’re both having fun. If either of you are getting frustrated or bored, switch exercises or come back to training later.
Where to start?
There are many elements to dog training, but many of the skills are complementary and support one another. There are five skills worth your immediate time and focus:
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