The easiest way to get the most out of your dog is to train them from day one.
Sticking to your own set boundaries and putting that time and effort in at the beginning will make things easier in the long run!
Yes, you may be asking yourself “what have I done? I’ve purchased myself a real life fur baby that needs watching around the clock!!”
… well yes, you’re right, but the good news is it’s only to begin with. The age old saying effort and hard work pays off has a definite truth when getting a puppy.
From setting your alarm for the middle of the night to let them out for a wee to the constant praise for doing something good, a puppy is a serious commitment especially if you are wanting a well behaved and well rounded dog for the next decade or so.
To begin with dogs are, likes babies, a blank canvas looking to you for guidance on how to go about things. If left to their own devices, dogs will be dogs and like us humans, fall into bad habits with absolute ease reliant on only their instinct to get them through the day. Behaviours such as urinating whenever they feel the urge, taste testing the furniture and barking at anything and everything because they can .. to list a few.
It is always better to train a behaviour into a dog than to attempt to train one out of it. If your dogs behaviour has gone unchallenged for some time, they will find it hard to grasp why the sudden change of heart, so start as you mean to go on.
Make a list of things you are allowing your new pup to do and a list of prohibited.
The rules need to be kept primarily by everyone in the household – so get everyone involved and set accountability.
If the same message is being echoed by everyone in the house – your puppy will learn in no time!
Chastising a puppy should never be physical. Dogs are people pleasers and understand emotions and tone of voice quite well. Give clear commands and the tone of your voice should match that of your emotion. Words such as “No” with eye contact and a hard tone should be more than enough to get the message across they are doing something they shouldn’t. On the contrary perk up the tone of your voice when praising your dog and smile!
Some dog owners find foody treats help when training, but where possible it is best to use smiles and cuddles to get a positive reaction from your dog, as this promotes you as their treat and not food, which cements the bond between you further.
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