Adopting a new puppy and bringing him or her home is a big step. Socializing and instilling good behavior is one of the first things you will want to do. Not only does it give you and the family a chance to bond with your new puppy, but it will also make for a happier dog in the future.
If you are looking for ways you can start training at home, here is a list of some tips that if followed consistently, your pup will have the basics down in no time.
Keep Training Short
Remember that puppies are like small children. Their attention spans are not that long. That is why you want to make sure that you keep the training sessions short and sweet. If you focus on your puppy practicing one command for five minutes at a time, and later when you have other opportunities to train. It is also recommended that you leave the training on a high note.
This leaves your puppy feeling satisfied and excited about the next training session or opportunity.
Stay Consistent
Consistency is a killer when it comes to training your dog. A lack of consistency can leave your dog confused and ill-mannered. Not only do you need to be consistent in training your puppy, but you also have to be consistent in your approach.
This means that you may have to reinforce your training even when you are tired or simply do not feel like it. If you notice that your puppy is giving you clues and signs that they are picking up on behavior, you must stop what you are doing and either praise and encourage that behavior or curtail it.
Practice Everywhere
It is good to practice training everywhere as you want your dog to respond to your training in various situations. If you only limit training in the yard or in your home, that may be the only time he or she listens to you.
Get some practice in the front yard, in the nearby neighborhood or even in a park. You want your dog to be sure to follow your commands even in a new environment with new smells and sounds.
Reward Your Pup
You have to reward and praise your pup. They respond well to this as it keeps them motivated. When you verbally encourage your dog or share a treat, they will associate positive feelings to following your commands.
Make sure that the treats you are feeding them, like Thrive CBD oil treats, are half of the caloric intake so they do not gain unnecessary weight.
After a while, you will want to wean your puppy away from the treats if they are picking up on a command and have mastered it. It is also good to teach your puppy that not all good deeds will be rewarded.
When In Doubt, Hire A Professional
Hiring a professional is a great way to instil good training. There are some behavioral issues that cannot be fixed at home with a few treats and a few words of praise. These are things like socialization.
These classes allow your dogs to interact with all different types of people and other dogs, following the commands you already taught them in all different types of situations.