It is important to train your dog, whether it is small or large, young or old. In addition to helping him behave better, training a dog will improve his relationship with you. In addition, training a dog in what it can and cannot do, and that it always responds to your commands, guarantees its safety. For example, it could save your dog from being hit by a car if it ever runs away or gets lost.
It's the vision we all dream of as puppy owners. A puppy that walks calmly by your side or sits calmly at your feet in an outdoor cafe. But there are a few steps to take to make sure your pup is on the right track with his training to get there!
At first, that perfect pup will come with some growing pains: biting, chewing, bathroom accidents, barking, and more. Your puppy is growing and developing rapidly. Once they've been home for a couple of weeks, your pup should know the basics of a daily routine and be working on obedience training and learning basic commands.
So how do you know what you should start training your pup on first? No matter what age you bring home your new puppy, you can use our puppy training program as a guide to help your puppy grow, develop, and learn the good manners he needs at home and in the world to help him become into that perfect puppy you imagined! At first, dog training can seem quite overwhelming, especially if it's your first dog. The truth is that training your dog is a very big project. If you take it one step at a time, you'll find the task much less daunting.
As you begin to socialize your pup, you'll notice if he tends to be more aggressive or submissive. Courageous pups tend to challenge older dogs by standing upright, sticking out their chests, and sticking their tails and ears up. Courageous puppies will also slowly wag their tails and may growl at older dogs. Conversely, shy pups will try to appear smaller to older dogs. They will crouch low to the ground, wag their tails, and roll onto their backs.
Training helps your pup cope with unfamiliar experiences and helps prevent fear of meeting new people, so they can feel more comfortable in social situations. Incorporating training into your pet's playtime also makes use of all that extra energy and keeps them happy and healthy. Before you start training a new puppy to an older dog, you should first take the time to introduce your new puppy and your older dog.
The initial introduction between your new puppy and your older dog will play a big factor in your puppy's training; remember that young puppies are essentially learning about EVERYTHING. Puppies are forming their general outlook on the world at a young age, which will shape them into the adult dogs they will become. While older dogs already have a complete picture of the world. To learn more about socializing, read our article on socializing. The proper way to introduce your puppy and older dog is gradual and depends on how well behaved and trained your older dog is.
Training your puppy begins with the week you bring him home, usually at 8 weeks of age. At this age they are able to quickly understand commands to sit, stand, stay, and come. By the time you bring your puppy home, you essentially start house training him. Puppies learn from birth and if you are a good dog parent you will try to prioritize socializing your pup.