Bringing a puppy home for the first time is the beginning of an exciting adventure and a new way of life for you and your family. There is so much for both you and your new pup to learn, and there are many challenges that lie ahead.
Joining a course of Puppy Training classes is the best start you can give to your puppy. It will set them on the right track to learning about and fitting into a human world, but more importantly, it will set you off on the right track to become the most responsible, informed and successful dog owner you can be.
Puppy Training classes are not just about teaching dogs how to respond to commands so that you can live a peaceful life with them in your home and out and about, these classes exist to help you understand your new puppy’s behavior, and what they need from you at this tender age and beyond.
A young dog needs a confident owner who is clear and consistent when showing them right from wrong. A good Puppy Training class will promote positive reinforcement training methods so that you can enrich the bond between you both and help your dog’s confidence to grow. This is the best way to achieve top results and a well-behaved and balanced furry member of the family.
Puppy training is also something that you can and should be doing by yourself at home. Classes are intended as a guide to set people off on the right track with their new pup, but most of the work will be done outside of classes, in the real world and in everyday life at home, because training a puppy is all about practice, repetition and consistency.
Many people put a lot of emphasis on teaching puppies a detailed list of commands like “sit”, “stay”, and “come” in the living room or in the back garden. What they often miss out on is socialising a puppy from the very beginning and teaching them how to behave in the real world with other dogs, people and children, and how to respond to everyday things like travelling on buses, and greeting new people politely.
Real-world practice translates back into the home environment, so that you have a puppy whose attention is on you, and they are always looking for guidance and direction, because you are the provider of all things good and fun. The best-behaved dogs at home have interesting and engaging owners who take the time to provide their dogs with plenty of mental stimulation, exercise and entertainment, and life lessons out in the real world, as well as clear limitations, boundaries and routines within the home.
Some of the things you should focus on teaching your new puppy within the home are where “it’s spaces” are. This means – Where should they go to the toilet? Where should they go to have a nap or settle down with a chew toy? Where should they stay when they are left alone? Where should they not be playing because it is dangerous? It is a good idea to mentally divide your home up into zones, and make sure that everyone in the family has a clear idea of what is expected of the puppy in each of these zones. For example, when in the bedroom, is your puppy going to be allowed to sleep or relax on the bed, or is there a designated spot for them in the corner or beside your bed? When everyone is on the same page practicing the rules you want to apply from the very beginning, your puppy’s training will be an easier and faster process.
Another important thing to focus on is teaching your puppy self control during exciting times like food time or when the doorbell goes, as these will pave the way to your puppy growing up into a calm family member rather than a furry terror who barks at the slightest noise or change, and generally rules the house. The best way to deal with behavior issues in young dogs is to make sure they don’t develop in the first place, but doing your research and putting as much effort and consistency as you can into your puppy’s basic training.
Establishing a clear Puppy Training regime from the start makes your new puppy feel safe and secure, because they know what to expect and what is expected of them. When you set a young dog up for success your experiences together will be more enjoyable, and you will be less stressed and feel more free because you know your home is safe and you can take your dog anywhere.
