Congratulations if you just added a new puppy to your family! This is an exciting time and there’s a lot to do in order to get your pup started on the right foot. Training a puppy is important, and it can be a lot of fun too. In this guide, we will outline everything you need to know in order to train your new best friend. From potty training tips to teaching basic obedience commands, we have you covered. Puppies are eager students and are ready and willing to learn from their humans, so start training today! We got some great dog training tips for beginners here.
Why is it important to train your puppy?
One of the most important things you can do for your new puppy is to start training them right away. Puppies are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them and learning at an amazing pace. The best time to start teaching your puppy obedience is when they’re young so they can learn good habits from the beginning.
Not only will training help your puppy learn basic manners, but it’s also a great way to bond with them. Dogs are social creatures by nature and love nothing more than spending time with their humans. Training sessions provide quality one-on-one time between you and your pup that will help strengthen your bond and build their trust in you.
Training your puppy is important for a number of reasons. It helps to build a bond between you and your puppy, it teaches your puppy good manners and obedience, and it helps to socialize your puppy so they can be comfortable around other people and animals.
Last but not least, puppies that are properly trained are less likely to develop behavior problems down the road. By teaching your puppy obedience from an early age, you can avoid potential issues like separation anxiety, aggression, and chewing. A well-trained dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog makes for a happy owner!
Now that we’ve gone over some of the reasons why training is so important, let’s talk about how to get started.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when training your puppy:
- Be patient! Puppies are not born knowing the rules; they need time to learn.
- Be consistent! Everyone in the family needs to follow the same rules and use the same commands when training.
- Be positive! Reward your puppy with praise, treats, or both when they do something right. Punishment will only make them scared or confused.
When is the right age to start Puppy training?
The ideal age to start training your puppy is around eight weeks old. At this stage, they are alert and responsive to their surroundings, but not yet distracted by the big wide world.
So, now you are here to learn about your puppy training, let’s take a look at the three most important things you need to train your puppy for.
- Potty train a puppy
- Crate train a puppy
- Puppy training commands
How to train a puppy?
One of the first things you need to do when you get a new puppy is to start training it. Puppy obedience training is important for several reasons. It helps your puppy learn basic manners, develops its natural abilities, and strengthens the bond between you and your pup.
There are a few different ways to go about training your puppy. You can sign up for classes, hire a private trainer, or do it yourself at home. Which method you choose will depend on your dog’s personality, your lifestyle, and your budget.
If you decide to train your puppy yourself, there are a few things you’ll need to know before getting started. First of all, puppies have short attention spans so it’s important to keep training sessions short, sweet, and consistent. You’ll also want to use positive reinforcement techniques like treats, praise, and petting to reward your puppy for good behavior.
The most important thing to remember when training a puppy is that puppies learn best through positive reinforcement. That means rewarding your puppy for good behavior, instead of punishing it for bad behavior. There are a few different ways you can do this:
Give them Treats
Every time your puppy does something you want it to do, give it a small treat as a reward. For example, if you’re trying to teach your puppy to sit, give it a treat every time it sits down.
Praise them for little things
In addition to treats, puppies also respond well to praise. So, whenever your puppy does something good, make sure to let it know how proud you are with some enthusiastic verbal praise.
Pet them more
Another way to show your puppy that it’s doing a good job is by petting it and giving it some physical affection. This is especially effective for puppies who are food motivated they’ll quickly learn that not only do they get a treat when they do something right, but they also get some lovin’ from their favorite human.
Best Steps to Potty Train a Puppy?
One of the first things you’ll want to teach your new puppy is where and when it’s appropriate to relieve itself. Potty training a puppy may seem daunting, but luckily there are some tried-and-true methods to make the process as smooth as possible for both you and your furry friend.
Here are a few tips on how to potty train a puppy:
- Consider getting a dog training collar that can help you a lot in the whole process.
- Start by establishing a regular routine of taking your puppy outside to the designated spot frequently at least every couple of hours or so. It’s important that they get used to going to the same place each time.
- When you take them outside, give them plenty of time to sniff around and do their business. Once they’ve relieved themselves, be sure to praise them enthusiastically so they know they’ve done something good.
- If you catch your puppy in the act of having an accident inside, startle them with a loud noise (clapping your hands works well) and immediately take them outside to finish. Again, be sure to praise them when they’re done.
Create a schedule
The first step in potty training a puppy is to create a training schedule. Decide how often your puppy will need to go outside, and take them out at those times. For example, if you know your puppy needs to “go” every four hours, take them out every four hours.
Be prepared to go outside anytime
Puppies also need to go after they wake up from a nap, after they eat or drink, and before bedtime. So make sure to add those times into the schedule as well.
Always teach them to go outside
The next step is to start teaching your puppy where it should go when it needs to relieve itself. If you want your puppy to learn to use the bathroom outdoors, then you’ll need to take them outside frequently.
They are babies, so be patient
And finally, the last step in potty training a puppy is to be patient and consistent. Puppies are still learning, and they will make mistakes. But with time and patience, your puppy will learn where it should go to the bathroom.
One of the first things you’ll want to tackle with your new puppy is potty training. It may seem daunting, but there are a few key tips that can make the process much easier for both you and your pup.
Things to keep in mind while Potty training a Puppy
They go frequently, so take them out more often
The most important thing to remember when potty training is that puppies have very small bladders and need to go frequently. This means that you’ll need to take them out often, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. A good rule of thumb is to take them out every two hours at first.
Stick to a spot
It’s also important to choose a designated potty spot and stick with it. Puppies are creatures of habit, so if you always take them to the same spot, they’ll learn to go there. You can also use positive reinforcement to encourage your puppy to use the designated spot; for example, you can give them a treat when they do their business in the right place.
Stay calm and then clean
Remember that accidents are inevitable when potty training a puppy. The best thing you can do is stay calm and clean up the mess with an enzymatic cleaner designed specifically for pet stains. With patience and consistency, your puppy will be potty trained in no time!
Additional tips:
- Start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. Puppies are ready and willing to learn from the moment they arrive in their new homes.
- Set your puppy up for success by keeping training sessions short (a few minutes at most), using high-value treats, and offering lots of praise.
- Avoid punishment when training your puppy; it will only make them scared or confused. Stick with positive reinforcement instead.
- Be patient! Puppies need time to learn, so don’t get discouraged if they make mistakes along the way.
- Have fun! Training should be a positive experience for both you and your puppy. Keep it light and make sure to end each session on a good note.
How to Crate Train a Puppy?
Crate training a puppy is often used as a valuable housebreaking tool since most puppies will naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. When done correctly, crate training can also help your puppy learn to stay calm and quiet when left alone.
To crate train your puppy:
Buy the right-sized Crate
Purchase a crate that is the right size for your puppy when he is fully grown. He should be able to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down in it. If the crate is too large, he may be tempted to soil one end while using the other as his bedroom; too small and he’ll feel cramped.
Placement of the Crate
Place the crate in an area of your house where you spend a lot of time, such as in front of the television or near your desk, so he doesn’t feel isolated.
Place your old shirt in the Crate
Put something in the crate that smells like you, such as an old shirt, to help him feel more comfortable.
Feed them in Crate
Feed your puppy his meals in the crate. This will help create a positive association with the crate.
Closing the Crate door
Once your puppy is comfortable eating in the crate, begin closing the door for short periods of time while you are home, gradually increasing the amount of time he is crated.
Don’t let the puppy out whenever it cries or wines
If your puppy cries or whines when crated, do not let him out until he is quiet for at least five minutes. Otherwise, you will be teaching him that if he makes enough noise, he will get released from the crate.
Do not Crate them for a long time
When you are away from home, crate your puppy for no more than four hours at a time. Puppies need to relieve themselves frequently and cannot “hold it” for long periods of time.
No, Crate is not a Punishment and should never be
Never use the crate as punishment. Your puppy should always associate it with positive experiences.
Following these steps will help you successfully crate train your puppy. Crate training takes patience and consistency, but it is a valuable tool in helping your puppy learn good housebreaking habits. For more information on crate training, please consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
What are some basic Puppy training commands?
Before you start teaching your puppy basic commands, it’s important to understand that puppies learn best through positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your puppy for good behavior, instead of punishing them for bad behavior. With this in mind, here are a few basic puppy training commands that you can start working on with your new furry friend:
- Sit
- Stay
- Come
- Down
- Off
- NO
Here are some basic puppy obedience commands that you can start with:
Sit: Have your puppy sit before meals, before going for a walk, or when you ask them to.
Down: Teach your puppy to lie down on cue. This is a good one to practice when you’re relaxing at home or if your puppy is getting too excited.
Stay: Once your puppy has mastered the sit and down commands, you can start working on stay. This is important for safety and will come in handy in many everyday situations.
Come: This is perhaps the most important command of all, as it can help prevent your puppy from running into danger.
With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you will be able to teach your puppy all of these commands and more. Soon you’ll have a well-behaved dog that’s a joy to be around!
Frequently asked questions about the Puppy training process
Can an 8-week-old puppy be potty trained?
The short answer is yes! Potty training a puppy can be quick and easy if you start early and are consistent with your training. An 8-week-old puppy is the right age for it to start getting trained. The key is to use positive reinforcement – rewarding your puppy for going in the right spot and having patience.
How do you stop a puppy from peeing and pooping in the house?
The first step is to puppy-proof your home as much as possible. This means creating a safe space for your puppy where they can’t get into trouble. Puppy proofing may include using baby gates to block off certain areas of your home, removing anything that could be harmful or dangerous to your puppy, and providing plenty of toys and chew bones.
The second step is to create a consistent potty routine for your puppy. This means taking them outside regularly, especially after meals and naps. If you can stick to a regular potty schedule, your puppy will quickly learn when it’s time to go potty and will start holding it until then.
The third step is to be patient! Puppies will have accidents, it’s just part of the learning process. The important thing is to remain calm and positive when they do have an accident and to clean up any messes immediately. With time, patience, and consistency, your puppy will learn to hold it until it can go outside.
Which dog breed is easiest to potty train?
All puppies are different and will learn at their own pace, but some dog breeds tend to be a little easier to potty train than others. Breeds that were originally bred for hunting or herding often have strong natural instincts to keep their living area clean, so they may be quicker to understand what you expect of them.
Some of the easiest dog breeds to potty train include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Border Collies
- Poodles
- Australian Shepherds
- Vizslas
Keep in mind that mixed-breed dogs can inherit any combination of traits from their parents, so even if you don’t see your pup’s breed on this list, they may still be a quick study when it comes to house training.
Are puppy pads a good idea?
One common question new puppy parents have is whether to use puppy pads or not. Puppy pads are absorbent mats that you can place indoors for your pup to use when they need to go. Many people choose to use them in addition to taking their pup outdoors often, while others opt to only use puppy pads until their dog is fully trained.
There are pros and cons to both methods, so it’s ultimately up to you as the owner to decide what will work best for your individual dog. If you do choose to use puppy pads, be sure to place them in an area that’s easily accessible for your pup and always supervise them when they’re using them. Eventually, you’ll want to wean your dog off of the puppy pads and transition them to only going outdoors.
Will puppies pee in a crate?
One of the first things you’ll want to tackle with your new puppy is house training, and crates can be a big help in this department. While it may seem counterintuitive to confine your puppy to a small space when they need to “go,” crates can actually speed up the housetraining process.
That’s because puppies have an instinct not to soil their sleeping area, so if they’re confined to a crate they’ll hold it as long as possible. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and some puppies will pee in their crate no matter what. If that’s the case with your pup, you may need to try a different method of house training that we mentioned above.
Are boy dogs easier to potty train?
One question we often get is whether boy dogs are easier to potty train than girl dogs. The answer is…maybe? It really depends on the dog. Some people find that male puppies pick up house training quicker because they have a stronger instinct to mark their territory. Others find female puppies to be more responsive to training in general. But at the end of the day, it’s not gender that determines how easy (or difficult) it will be to potty train your puppy – it’s personality.
How often should you take a 12-week-old puppy out to pee?
You should take your puppy out to pee every two hours, or at least six times a day. This will help prevent accidents in the house and give your puppy a chance to explore different smells outside.
If you work long hours or can’t be home often, consider hiring a dog walker or taking your puppy to doggy daycare so it can get some socialization and exercise during the day.
Puppyhood is a crucial time for socialization, so don’t forget to introduce your pup to new people, animals, and environments on a regular basis. Socialization helps puppies learn how to interact with the world around them and become well-adjusted adult dogs.
Check out this awesome video that covers the three most important things on how to train your puppy.
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