Getting a new puppy is a fun and exciting time, but it isn’t without its challenges. An essential (and sometimes neglected) part of forming a bond with your new puppy is the process of properly training them.
How hard this is will depend on a variety of factors, from the type of breed you’ve got to whether or not you’re a first-time owner, and whilst there may be times when training your new friend can be difficult, ultimately it’s one of the most rewarding experiences there is for any dog owner.
Why not try some of our top puppy-training tips to help you get started?
Name recognition
Teaching your new pup what his name is should be one of the first things on your puppy training agenda. To do this, get down on your pup’s level and say his name, whilst also gesturing for him to come closer.
When he does this, successfully, make sure your tone of voice is positive (good boy, well done etc.) and reward him with a treat for getting his new name right.
Give your pup its own space
Another of the first things you need to do before you get a new pup is ensure that you’ve got a private area for him to sleep in. All dogs need to have their own space, and giving your new pup a cage filled with blankets for him to relax in during the day and sleep in at night will help him to feel secure and safe, and make the process of moving into a new home less stressful.
Toilet training the smart way
If you catch your pup relieving himself somewhere he isn’t supposed to, saying ‘no!’ firmly and loudly whilst carrying your pup outside to finish off its business is the way to go.
Eventually, he’ll realise that you don’t appreciate your floor being covered in mess, and will only go when being walked or even stand at the door to let you know he needs to be let out.
Biting is bad
Even though watching your new pup chew your finger or hand can be adorable to watch, the last thing you want is for your pup to carry this habit into adulthood (especially if he’s a larger breed).
A good way to prevent this is to loudly pretend that you’re in pain when your pup tries to bite you – this will usually shock your pup so much that they’ll stop immediately, and once he stops give him a chew toy straight after so he understands what’s okay for him to bite.
Should you neuter your dog?
You may also want to consider neutering you dog in the future once he’s gotten a bit older. Doing this may make your more docile and friendly rather than aggressive, and can help make your dog more child-friendly if he’s a larger, more boisterous breed.
Be gentle when toilet training
If you find that your puppy has had an accident while you were out the room or weren’t home, don’t be too harsh on them as this can frighten new dogs, especially if they’ve very young.
Instead, simply clean up the mess and aim to move your pup outside when he’s in the act of doing his business; this will help him learn much better than simply shouting at him when he’s already done wrong.
Start slowly
Once you’ve taught your dog the basics of toilet training and not biting people, you might want to start teaching him some tricks. It’s important to start with the basic ones first so your new pup understands the learning process; usually, starting to teach your dog to sit, stay and lay down are a good place to start.
Positive reinforcement
One of the most important things to remember when training your new puppy is to reward him when he’s done the right thing, whether this is using the toilet properly or successfully obeying a command you’re trying to teach him – giving a treat after he’s done the right thing is key to helping him learn what you want him to do.
Choose the right name!
In the puppy world, not all names are created equal. Strong, simple names that allow you to put emphasis on them when your saying them, like Marley, Max or Charlie will help your dog know when you’re talking to him and understand that’s what his name is.
Protect your pup for the future
Finally, it’s important to remember that no matter how well you look after your new pup, you never know what’s around the corner, and you need to be prepared for every eventuality.
At Cover My, we offer a full and comprehensive range of pet insurance options for our clients, including vet fees, complimentary treatment, third party liability and more. This means that no matter what happens, your four-legged friend will always be well-looked after with us.
Why not visit our homepage to find out more about how we can protect your pet’s future?
Cover My’s pet insurance packages enable you to do exactly that, with cover including everything from vet’s fees and theft to holiday cancellation and complimentary treatment – why not find out more by getting a quote today?
