Dog obedience is crucial for a happy pet/owner relationship. Learning a few basic tricks will have you well on your way to successfully training your puppy.
Puppy Training Foundations
Motivate your puppy
As soon as you bring your puppy home, step into his mindframe. Dogs are pack animals and like to follow a leader. If you act like one, your puppy’s biggest motivation will become making you happy.
Keep it Consistent
The only way your puppy will ever learn is if there is a clear and consistent connection between your puppy’s actions and your reaction.
If your puppy does something right, reward and praise him lavishly. If he does something wrong, make it clear you’re not happy or ignore him.
For example, if you don’t want your puppy on the furniture, say ‘No’ loudly and guide him off every time he climbs up. Then praise him every time he gets on the floor.
If you fail to be consistent, your puppy will be too.
Treats
There are no free rides when it comes to treats. Make your puppy earn every one of them.
It’s best to avoid handing out a food reward every time. Start gradually replacing the treat with praise. Once your puppy has learned a command, give the treat every other time, then every third time, always praising lavishly. Pretty soon, your puppy will work for praise and the very occasional treat.
Correcting mistakes
Dogs are not spiteful. If your puppy is doing something wrong, it probably got the idea it was okay. You have to teach your puppy otherwise.
First, catch him in the act. Dogs can’t connect a punishment to an action hours or even minutes ago. Never hit your puppy. Instead, when you see your puppy doing something wrong, say, ‘No’ in a sharp tone. When your puppy stops, praise him and give him something else to do like ‘Sit’ or ‘Come’. Praise him abundantly for responding.
Remember, training does not have to be harsh. With so many different training methods available, choose one that best suits you and your puppy. If it doesn’t work, just try another one.