Teaching your puppy to learn basic commands can be a daunting task. Puppies can be taught the commands sit, down and stand using a method called food-lure training. Puppy training and teaching your dog is a great way to spend time together and can also be lots of fun. Dog obedience training should be treated as a fun activity with a relaxed mindset. So where do you start with dog obedience training? Here are dog training tips.
At what age can I start training my new puppy?
Puppies start learning from birth and good breeders begin handling and socialization right away. Puppies can begin very simple training, such as wearing a collar or learning about praise, at about 8 weeks.
Young puppies have short attention spans but you can expect them to begin to learn simple obedience commands such as “sit,” “down,” and “stay,”. You can begin teaching the basic five commands described below when the puppy is 12 to 16 weeks old.
It is easy to get caught up in the joy of having your new friend and delay the process of training. But remember during the juvenile stage, the dog is beginning to solidify adult behavioral patterns, so don’t ever miss the opportunity to train your puppy. Training your new puppy should be on the top of your priority list.
Simple Rules for Dog Training
- Few of the Guidelines for dog training is outlined below
- Young puppies have short attention spans can lose concentration easily. Keep puppy training sessions short and sweet. Always keep training sessions brief—just 5 to 10 minutes at a time, at first.
- Training a puppy is not an easy task. There will be many moments of frustration throughout the process, remember to stay positive.
- You’ll want to begin training in a quiet area, and indoors with no distractions.
- Training must always be reward-based, so use lots of toys, treats, and cuddles.
- positive reinforcement only, as the puppy is young and trying to understand your commands. He’s working hard to figure it out. Punishment can lead to your puppy becoming frightened of you or may even turn them to act out of aggression towards you.
- Always end on a positive note. Finish the training with a command which your dog can do easily.
- Once your dog has got the hang of exercise, reduce giving treats.
To begin here are 5 basic dog commands and tips.
How To Teach A Puppy To Come
If you are wondering how do I get my puppy to come when called. Here is the basic training exercise. Training your dog to come is very helpful in most of situations. This helps to keep your dog out of trouble when you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open. Also as a dog gets old he won’t follow you as always when he was a pup. So it’s better to teach your pup to come when called.
- Put a leash and collar on your dog.
- Go down to her level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.
- Whatever you do, don’t reach out and grab her as she gets close to you. That will confuse her.
- When she gets really close give her verbal praise, offer a soft stroke, give her favorite treat.
Once she is excelled with this, remove the leash and give her treat less frequently.
How To Teach A Puppy To Sit
Training your dog to sit is easiest dog obedience commands to teach.
- Take a treat and show it to your pet.
- Once he comes closer to smell, move your hand up so that she looks up and takes it to just behind the nose so that their head moves backward.
- The only way to reach the treat is to put their bottom on the floor.
- Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give her the treat, and share affection.
Repeat this sequence before taking her for walks, before feeding her or any situations you feel you want to calm her down.
How To Train A Puppy To Stay
Before teaching your dog to stay, make sure she is an expert at “Sit” command. This exercise is one of the most challenging to teach, puppies hate being still. She keeps following you. But with frequent practice sessions and a lot of your patience exercise can be mastered.
- Turn your body to face her.
- Start with the “sit” command, make her sit.
- Put your hand out in front of you with your palm facing forwards, say “Stay”.
- Wait for few(3 to 5) seconds, then go a few steps back. Reward her with a treat.
- Once he’s mastered this command, gradually increase the number of steps you take before giving the treat.
Training goals are achieved in increments, so you may need to slow down and focus on one thing at a time.
How To Train A Puppy To Lay Down
Training your dog to sit is quite tricky and difficult commands. As the position is submissive posture, generally pups are quite reluctant.
- Hold the most smelling treat or keep the treat a little bit sticking out. so your puppy can see it.
- Place your hand flat on the floor with the treat underneath it. Your puppy will follow.
- Slide your hand along the ground in front of her to encourage his body to follow his head.
- Eventually, they’ll lie down. The moment they do, say “Down,” give her the treat.
Do not ever push her down, encourage every step your puppy takes toward the right position.
How To Teach A Puppy To Heel
Training your dog to walk with you on a leash is considered more useful than all. You don’t want to get pulled around while taking her for walks or any outdoor activities.
- Snap-on the leash and go for a walk, keeping your dog close to your side.
- Hold a squeaky toy or a favorite treat above in front of your dog.
- Encourage her to look up to toy/treat, give her command “Heel” and step forward.
- Keep the puppy’s attention on the toy/treat as you walk forward together.
- Praise the puppy if she looks up at you if she gets distracted squeak the toy or shows the treat.
- If she starts to tug or get ahead of you, stop, ask her to sit. Calm her down.
- Start the process again from the beginning.
- After your puppy has given you 20 or 30 seconds of attention, give him the toy/treat. Play with him a bit, then relax and try walking again
- Gradually increase the time you walk together.
How To Teach A Puppy To Leave It
Training your dog to leave it is very important when he is out or gets onto something which he shouldn’t.
- Hold a treat in both hands.
- Show him one enclosed fist with the treat inside, and say, “Leave it.”
- Let him lick, sniff, mouth, paw, and bark to try to get it — and ignore the behaviors.
- Once he stops trying, give him the treat from the other hand.
- Repeat until your dog moves away from that first fist when you say, “Leave it.”
- Next, only give your dog the treat when he moves away from that first fist and also looks up at you.
Remember do not rush the process. It takes more time and requires a lot of your patience. The time you spend in training will pay off soon and you will be more relaxed later. These 5 training exercises improve your communication skills with your puppy.
