When a new puppy comes into the household, chaos usually follows, at least for a little while.
It has just left the safety of litter mates and mama, and now it has to listen to and depend on this giant hairless being.
What are some training methods to follow? Is there a right and a wrong way? The following puppy training advice will get your puppy started towards becoming an excellent new family member.
Crate Training - Housebreaking a puppy can be frustrating, but using a crate can make this process run a bit smoother.
Make sure there is a comfortable bed in it, toys, and plenty of room.
Dogs, in general, don't make a mess of their sleeping quarters.
So a puppy is less likely to mess where it is crated.
There will be yelping and whining at first.
Just tap the door and firmly say, "No!".
Eventually, the puppy will get the idea that being in the crate is comforting.
Rotate toys so the puppy doesn't get bored.
And make sure to not leave the puppy crated for more than two hours at a time, with an hour of crate-less playtime in between.
Play Biting - Biting is a puppy's way of playing, it does it to litter mates, so why not the human? If it bites, yelp in pain and stop playing, maybe even walk away.
With time, it will get the idea that biting equals no playtime.
This is especially important when children are in the house.
Socialization with other pups of the same age can be a good idea, then it can rough-house with peers.
Jumping - Teaching a puppy that it isn't alright to jump up on a person is beneficial for both puppy and humans.
If the puppy starts to jump, turn around and refuse to look at it.
Have treats available for when the puppy isn't jumping.
Giving a treat when the puppy is sitting or at least has all four feet on the ground will teach it that it is better to not jump.
A final piece of puppy training advice is to have a routine to follow.
Consistency is the best way to remind a puppy what the desired behavior should be.