When a cuddly puppy moves in, many new owners wonder when is the right time to start training.\u00a0 It used to be commonly recommended to hold off entirely for the first year and then start out full speed ahead. These days, that advice is outdated. When a puppy arrives in its new home at the age of eight or ten weeks, it is in a developmental phase characterized by intensive learning (the socialization phase). This is when the puppy forms its relationship with its two-legged family members and form an impression of the world around it.<\/p>\n
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It would be a shame to let this time pass unused, for one thing. But it wouldn\u2019t be good for the dog, either, because then, at the age of one year, there would be sudden changes in a lot of things that were previously normal.\u00a0 In nature, too, wolf and wild dog pups and many other young animals are trained and raised right from the start so that they learn the rules of coexistence and important survival skills.<\/p>\n
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What is part of early education?<\/u><\/p>\n
A reliable baseline level of obedience is important for any dog, so you can teach your puppy a few small exercises through play. These include things like simple sitting, but also a signal to call the puppy back to you. Your puppy should also learn to focus first and foremost on its people when you are outside so that it doesn\u2019t lose its way.<\/p>\n
House training is another must, of course. New \u201cpuppy parents\u201d view it as the most important thing at first, which is understandable. The other exercises deserve appropriate attention, too, though. Putting in the necessary time and working diligently now will save you a lot of time and effort later.<\/p>\n
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There are also some other aspects of early education for your puppy. For example, puppies need to learn that they are not the center of the universe.\u00a0 Having lot of physical contact and play is important, but it is equally important for a puppy to learn to be calm and quiet. The most effective way to do this is to use a cozy dog crate where your puppy can relax undisturbed. Many puppies can soothe themselves, while others need a little help to wind down. Especially if there are children in the family, it\u2019s important to make sure your little furry friend gets enough rest.<\/p>\n
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House training<\/u><\/p>\n
Puppies generally learn quickly that their \u201ctoilet\u201d is outside. At this stage, they still have to \u201cgo\u201d fairly often, so you should carry your puppy outside every time he wakes up and after every meal, and in between for quick potty breaks whenever you notice that your puppy hasn\u2019t relieved himself for a while.\u00a0 If your little one sleeps with a limited radius of movement (in a crate, say) close to you at night, he will let you know when he needs to go, and you can also take him outside at night. It won\u2019t take long before he is housebroken.\u00a0 Important: Never get angry with your puppy if he has an accident inside! He will readily associate the scolding with the fact of relieving himself, not where.<\/p>\n
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The bonding walk<\/u><\/p>\n
It\u2019s very pleasant to go out with a dog and have him always look to see where you are instead of the other way around. To teach your puppy that, you need to use his instinct to follow. After about a week of settling in, you can carry your pup to an unfamiliar area where there are no distractions. It might be a path, a field, or part of the yard or garden. Put the puppy down there without a leash, beckon him a little if necessary, and set off.\u00a0 He will follow you. It might be a little \u201cbumpy\u201d at first, but that won’t last long. Change directions from time to time, especially whenever he starts to overtake you.\u00a0 If he lags behind because he is sniffing something, pick up the pace or hide behind a tree. As soon as he catches up, just keep walking.<\/p>\n
At the start, five minutes is enough, but as your puppy gets older, you can extend these \u201cbonding walks.\u201d At least one of these kinds of walks per day would be good. It is best to do this on your own. If you want to go for a walk as a couple, it\u2019s best to do so silently and arm in arm so that you stay close together and move in the same direction and at the same pace.<\/p>\n
Carry the puppy home when your bonding walk is over.<\/p>\n
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Coming when called<\/u><\/p>\n
This exercise is one of the most important things your canine companion needs to learn, but it does take structured practice over several weeks. First, look for a striking word. You might use and extended \u201cheeeere,\u201d for example. It is best to practice with a helper who can hold the hungry puppy by the chest or collar.\u00a0 Quickly walk away a couple of yards with the treat, then turn toward the dog and crouch down. The puppy is focused on you and wants to get to you, but can\u2019t. Now the helper can let go of the puppy. While he bolts off toward you, say \u201cheeeere,\u201d loud and clear. Once the puppy reaches you, hold him by the collar with one hand while he eats the treat out of the other. This is a good way to train your puppy to associate being held with something positive at the same time. That\u2019s important, because when you\u2019re out with your dog later on and call him, he is supposed to stay with you after coming to you. One he has eaten, you can release him and say something like \u201call done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Limit your practice to the house at first, and then the yard, gradually increasing your distance from the puppy.\u00a0\u00a0 After that, eliminate the helper and call the puppy to you several times a day, at home or in the yard, but only if he isn\u2019t distracted. Then you can add a little distraction, and only then should you try this when you are out and about \u2013 but still without distraction in that case. Offer a reward whenever your puppy is quick to come to you.<\/p>\n
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If you don\u2019t have a helper, you can motivate your puppy to come to you quickly by walking away and using an exciting voice. Just before he gets there, you can crouch down and say your call-back signal. Everything else is the same as described above.<\/p>\n
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Don\u2019t use your call-back signal when you are out and about, and definitely be sure not to use it if your puppy is busy with something else, at least not until it is firmly ingrained. If it often doesn\u2019t work because the puppy is still overwhelmed, he can\u2019t really learn it.<\/p>\n
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Sitting<\/u><\/p>\n
This is the simplest exercise, and you will often need your dog to know the \u201csit\u201d command later on. Your puppy will catch on in a flash \u2013 you\u2019ll see. Hold a tasty treat over his head without saying anything. If he jumps, just close your hand, hiding the treat.\u00a0 After a short time, the puppy will sit down to think. Now quickly give him the treat. After a few repetitions, the pup will sit down as soon as you hold the treat over his head. This is the right time to introduce the word. Right away, start saying \u201csit\u201d as soon as the puppy sits. Then offer the treat and say \u201call done\u201d to let him know he is allowed to stand up. After a few more repetitions over a few days, try saying \u201csit\u201d without a treat in your hand. The puppy will sit down, and then you can give him the treat and let him know the exercise is over.<\/p>\n
Over time, you can extend the amount of time spent sitting. The puppy sits when you say \u201csit.\u201d Wait a few moments, then reward him and let him know it is all right to stop sitting.<\/p>\n
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Ending an exercise<\/u><\/p>\n
As you\u2019ve read above, you need to finish any exercise in which you give your dog a command. One way to do this is to use a consistent word or phrase like \u201call done\u201d when you are \u201creleasing\u201d the dog afterward. Another is to move directly to a different exercise. For example, if you want your dog to lie down after sitting, the \u201cdown\u201d exercise ends the \u201csit\u201d one.<\/p>\n
Letting your puppy know the exercise is over is very important right from the start.\u00a0 This is the only way a dog can learn to engage with the exercise for long enough.\u00a0 As an example, you might have your dog sit next to you because several bicyclists are passing by. Then you wait until they pass before releasing the dog from the \u201csit\u201d exercise. That way, nothing bad can happen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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