New to the whole “puppy thing”? Here’s a little tip guide that can help you through this unique journey.
Choose your dog’s name wisely.
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Part of the fun of bringing home a new puppy or dog is finding the perfect name for them. But did you know certain names are better for training? It helps to consider a short name ending with a strong consonant that they can always hear clearly. A strong ending, like in the names “ “Zeus” “Lucky” and “Kida,” perks up puppy ears — especially when you place emphasis at the end.
Decide on the house rules.
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Before your new furry pal comes home, decide what they can and can’t do. Are they allowed on the bed or the furniture? Are parts of the house off limits? If the rules are determined early, you can avoid confusion — for both of you.
Set up a private den
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Like humans, dogs need their own space. As early as possible, give your pup their own private sleeping place, such as a crate. Your dog will benefit from short periods left alone in the comfort and safety of their den; it can also be a valuable tool for housetraining. Be sure to reward your puppy or dog if they remain relaxed and quiet in their den.
Reward good behavior
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Reward your puppy or dog’s good behavior with positive reinforcement. Use toys, love and lots of praise — and don’t forget the treats. Let them know when they’re getting it right. Along those same lines, never reward bad behavior, as it’ll only confuse them.
Teach your pup to come when called
Come, Lucky! Good boy!
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Get down on their level and tell your pup to come using their name. When they do, get excited and use lots of positive reinforcement. Next time, try the “come” command when they’re distracted with food or a toy. As your puppy gets older, you’ll continue to see the benefits of perfecting this command.
Train on “dog time”
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Puppies and dogs live in the moment — two minutes after they’ve done something, they’ve already forgotten about it. So when your pup is doing something bad, use your chosen training technique right away so they have a chance to make the association between the behavior and the correction. Consistent repetition will reinforce what they’ve learned.
Discourage jumping right away
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Puppies love to jump up in greeting, and some adult dogs have learned bad habits. When your puppy or dog jumps on a person, don’t reprimand them; just turn your back on them, ignore the behavior and wait until they settle down before giving positive reinforcement.
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Never encourage jumping behavior by patting or praising your dog when they’re in a “jumping up” position.