Training a puppy or a dog is an important first step in your relationship. The experience is not only bonding but teaches a dog about acceptable behavior. To get started, set a goal. The most popular first lesson for any new puppy or dog is for him to learn his name.
8-Step basic puppy training
Training should be a fun, rewarding, and fulfilling experience for both of you. There are some basic steps you’ll include in any type of coaching, whether you and your puppy or dog are attempting a brand-new trick or working on basic manners.
Here is a list of the most important 8 steps to train a puppy or dog.
- Commitment: Choose a particular area that you’ll continue to use as a training-only area, somewhere you cannot be disturbed, and is relatively quiet.
- Patience: The first lesson should be something easy and fun for your puppy to learn, like his name.
- Consistency: Limit training sessions to no more than 15 minutes, and a minimum of 5-minute periods, a couple times a day.
- Determination: Keep signals and cues simple, and classes focused on one new skill. Use one word per skill learned.
- Support: Use a firm, and caring tone of voice. Do not yell or growl at your puppy or dog, only encourage him with positive direction and reinforcement.
- Praise: Reward your dog or puppy’s good behavior immediately with something he values like treats made for puppies (his puppy dog food kibble could also be used as a treat), lots of praise or his favorite toy.
- Practice: Make the most of natural training opportunities that will help a puppy practice a routine such as sitting before putting his food down. If he is very young, the time that you expect him to sit before eating shouldn’t be longer than a couple of seconds.
- Socialize: Puppies learn skills from other dogs and socializing a puppy is one of the most important stages in his development. You can take him to a dog park, sign him up for puppy playtime classes or take very short, leashed walks in an area where there are other dog walkers.
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 Puppy training techniques
The best method used when learning how to train a puppy or dog, and the most successful amongst professional trainers is a rewards-based, positive training technique. A reward could be many things, but most importantly, it must be something a puppy or dog values as worthy enough to do, in order to receive the reward.
Some of the best and most successfully used dog training practices are:
- Voice signals – The easiest way to teach a puppy is by using your voice. Always use a calm, but firm tone with clear instructions on what you expect. Example: Sit! Then reward him when he gets it right.
- Hand cues – Your puppy or dog will need to have a good understanding of voice commands before introducing hand cues. These types of commands are best for distance training and are often used in agility training.
- Clicker training – You can train your puppy to follow your instructions using a clicker. The sound is also distracting and will make him pay attention immediately. Clicker noise should be associated with a specific action, like learning to not jump up on you or other people. Reward him for getting it right.
- Game playing – Creating a game around training a puppy or dog could be fun for both of you. You can apply this technique to any object play, such as throwing a toy. When your puppy or dog returns it to you, reward him with a treat.
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