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Introduction to puppy training
Have you just welcomed your furry new best friend into your life, or are you considering getting one soon? One of the best decisions you may take is bringing a puppy into your life, guaranteeing you tons of joy and love. But remember, it is equally important to train your dog. A well-trained dog lives a joyful life.
Initially, it might be pretty adorable that your new puppy is very naughty and does not obey anyone. However, this behavior can be somewhat problematic as your puppy gets older. Any puppy trainer will tell you that dogs that are not trained will not be able to lead content and happy lives as they will remain aggressive and reckless on account of a constant feeling of unsettlement.
By training your dog, you are setting ground rules that dictate what your puppy is allowed to do and what behavior it’s not expected of him or her. A well-behaved dog is a source of pure joy to be around. And no. We do not believe in reprimanding bad behavior. Ideally, the best way to teach a dog is by reinforcing good habits and encouraging them using treats and affection.
This article will explore the benefits of training your dog and discuss certain dog training secrets that most won’t share. But, before the article picks full-thrust and we get to tips and tricks for easy puppy training, here is why it is so important to train your puppy in the first place.
Why is it so important to train a puppy?
Well, you are extensively researching for the best puppy training tips because you have already understood that training your dog is essential. You can teach a dog pretty much anything depending on how efficient your training is and how cleverly you manage to convey your commands to your puppy. It is always best to start training early because the time and effort to teach a dog at a young age is much less than when they are older. Here are seven reasons why you should consider training your dog:
Your Dog’s Safety
Safety indeed is one of the main reasons why you should focus on mastering as many easy dog training tips as you can. A well-trained dog is safe and does not run away or put itself in danger by pulling on the leash while you both are out on a walk. They know how to control themselves even when faced with temptations like chasing a cat or squirrel. If you are confident that your dog is well behaved, you can leave them home alone while you are out at work, and they will be comfortable by themselves. They will know that certain things are out of their limits, and they should stay away from something they have been taught not to approach- plug sockets, fire, etc. Moreover, when you teach a dog to approach others with caution while being friendly, they will be on their guard if anyone tries to kidnap them or lure them by offering them treats. Even when you have hazardous objects lying around in your house, you will not have to remain vigilant if you have a well-trained puppy who will not try to eat or chew on everything in sight.
Great Bonding Experience
When learning about how to train a puppy, you will constantly come across ‘positive reinforcement.’ You will be rewarding your puppy with treats and affection-two sure-short ways to win their heart, and one of the most understated dog’s training secrets is that your dog loves being trained by you. They enjoy the time that you spend with them, talking to them and pouring them with affection.
Whether you have an old dog or a young puppy, they are equally excitable and look forward to your training sessions simply because they love you and want to spend as much time with you as possible. One of the best puppy training tips to keep in mind is that training does not have to be a task; it is the equivalent of fun playtime for your puppy.
You will be able to use these moments to add value to your lives and bond closely with your furry friend, who is ever so happy to please you. Here is an essential tip from top puppy trainers- the more fun you have while training your dog, the quicker they tend to learn and the easier it is for both of you.
They will be super-social
Socialization must be done pretty early on in a puppy’s life so that he or she knows when other dogs and people are being friendly and when it is okay to allow strangers to approach him or her. By taking your puppy to the dog park often and allowing them to meet other dogs and people very often, daily if possible, your puppy will be happy and friendly with everyone who comes over to your place!
Socialization is crucial for a puppy because a well-trained dog will not pose a threat to others while also, they will not be overly cautious of other dogs or become defensive in their presence. This way, they will avoid challenging any dogs to fight when you’re on your walk and behave well with people who stop by and chat with you.
It helps to establish trust.
There are many dog training secrets out there that experts do not reveal, and an essential one is that training your dog helps establish a high level of trust with you. A high level of trust is paramount & goes a long way towards your dog’s wellbeing and bonding with your dog. As your dog gets trained & builds trust in you, he can be left on his own for a more extended time. He knows that you will be back soon. Even better, your dog learns to trust you because you have spent your time bonding with them and keeping them safe. So, whenever you give them the command to stay instantly, irrespective of where you are or whatever temptations are around them, they will stay put till you need them to. This level of trust can go a long way because when you teach a dog right from wrong, all they know is that whatever you tell them is correct. So, obeying you is the best thing to do.
It helps you both communicate better.
Here is another great motivator for you to look up for easy dog training tips. The longer time you spend with your dog, the more familiar you are with their body language and mannerisms. Because your puppy is well-trained and obeys you, you will be able to communicate effectively with them, and they will be able to express themselves better. In addition, your puppy will be able to let you know when they are in distress, and you can quickly identify when something is wrong because you know each other so well now.
It keeps you both happy as you bond.
When you spend time with your dog, you quickly notice that your stress levels drastically decrease. Especially if your dog is well-trained, you will have no trouble dealing with them and will not have to reprimand them in any way. Spending time with him will keep you both at peace as you enjoy each other’s company, and they will be satisfied knowing that you are pleased to be around them, which is very important for a dog.
You both can have so much fun together.
Because your puppy is exceptionally well trained, you can take them literally just about anywhere in the world, and they even make excellent travel companions. You will never have to feel lonely or look for an adventurous travel partner when you have your delightful pooch around you! The possibilities are limitless- you can take them traveling, shopping, just about anywhere.
Training a puppy is nothing short of quintessential, and there are so many things that you can teach a dog. Quite literally, there are no good reasons not to train your puppy and a million on why to train! Here are some of the best puppy training tips
Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Easy Puppy Training
1. Choose your Puppy’s Name wisely:
Whenever we bring in a new pet or puppy home, finding the perfect name for your pet is the most fun part. A suitable name can bring a lot of positivity and a feeling of getting a fresh start for those dogs who have been in an abusive situation. Choose names that associate with fun and pleasant experiences. At the same time, avoid choosing a name that creates a strong, negative association.
Here are some basic ideas that will help you to look for a new puppy name:
Choosing a short and distinct name is the best option; names ending with a strong consonant are always clearly heard by the dogs. The dogs can register short names quickly. Names like Amber, Mike, Jack, and Cooper perk up puppies’ ears when you emphasize at the end.
Puppy’s name should be unique, and it shouldn’t be confused with any common words. Likewise, his name shouldn’t rhyme or sound like other members of the family. Names like Jess, Mo, and Shay are pretty confusing, and the dogs don’t pay too much attention and react to the sound immediately, increasing the chances of confusion.
Long and unfamiliar names are difficult to repeat by you or other members of your family & even friends. Here a short, crisp name does the work well.
2. Using the right Basic Training Tools:
Dog training tools are handy gadgets that most dog owners use to train quickly and efficiently, turning their stubborn and mischief-maker pups into little angels. However, choosing the right training tool for your pup that suits its personality is also an essential part of training dogs. With the right training tool, the training process becomes a lot easier.
Clicker-
It is a tool that you will find in most of the trainer’s supplies. It is a tried and tested technique that is both humane and highly efficient. The clickers are available in various shapes and sizes, and some can make a variety of sounds to train multiple dogs. The clicker sound is used to mark when a dog does something right, and after that, the dog is given a treat.
Training Targets-
The training targets are handy tools for teaching your dog specific behavior and various tricks. While in training, a nose target is brought close to the dog’s nose, while the dog would most likely reach out to investigate. As soon as it touches the target/mark, the clicker is clicked & a treat is offered. This process is continuously repeated until the dogs start following the target. When the dog learns the target concept, you can use it to build behavior like guiding it into a crate.
Treat Pouch-
The treat pouches are convenient as they can be buckled securely around your waist. You don’t have to fumble with a bag of treats anymore.
Collar and harness-
Collar & harness as a tool is usually used with medium to large dogs since they are relatively difficult to control. These dog collars should always hold a dog identification tag, also known as “dog ID tag,” which is usually helpful in a reunion if the dog gets out on his own. An obedience collar, specially designed by Zeedog, can come very handy while training dogs. These collars are a perfect choice for those training walks that require greater control. Made with ultra-comfortable polyester that would not hurt your dog and equipped with our exclusive Zee slider – You can find them here – obedience dog collars.
Long Line-
Long lines are made of long cable or cloth with a standard length varying from 15 to 30 feet. It is used to teach dogs techniques like long-distance stays and to come close when called. It also helps you can to give your dog the freedom to run freely without being untethered.
3. Socialize and Socialize
The importance of socialization in puppies is among the relatively well-known dog training secrets that every puppy trainer will mention when you approach them for detailed information on “how to train a puppy. Socializing your puppy at a young age enables better adaptation skills and helps in their mental development. Each time you introduce them to a new environment, you improve their social awareness and add value to the experience while training your dog to deal with complex situations in their adult lives.
Why Socialization is Important Part of Training Your Dog
Their Safety
When you teach a dog to be a social being, you are increasing his or her self-confidence, and they will be able to perceive and respond to situations better without panicking or losing control. To socialize your puppy at an early age is one of the best puppy training tips that you will receive for the simple reason that they will remain safe and reliable.
Easy to Travel
Once you have figured out how to train a puppy, your travel experiences will never be the same again. First, of course, you will be able to take your well-trained puppy on all sorts of adventures. But, more importantly, when you teach a dog to remain calm during car rides by associating the experience with good memories such as visits to the beach or park, they will enjoy traveling with you.
Comfortable Vet Experience
Many easy dog training tips will facilitate your experience of taking your puppy to the vet. Through socialization, you are training your dog to understand that this place is safe because you are with them and their doctor isn’t trying to harm them. A good puppy trainer would focus on reducing your puppy’s anxiety on meeting new people and visiting the vet and the groomer.
Your Puppy is Happier and Healthier
One of the more exciting dogs’ training secrets is that you do not have to scratch your head wondering how to keep your puppy entertained at all times. When you have figured out by yourself or with the help of a puppy trainer the best puppy training tips and have figured out socialization of your puppy, taking them on walks is going to be so much easier. They will meet and greet strange people and dogs with great joy, not fear them or aggressively approach them.
You will come across many easy dog training tips everywhere. Still, your focus should primarily be on socializing your dog to become independent and happy dogs, and remember, there are very few things that you cannot teach a dog, and being a good boy is not one of them.
How to Socialize Your Puppy
Start Young and Start with the Basics
It would be best to learn many things while figuring out how to train a puppy, which you soon will, but it always helps start with the basics. Early on in their lives, get them to understand new sounds, sensations, and sights, but most importantly, smells. Let them know where and what home is. Ensure that they are familiar with all the different textures in your house.
Your puppy needs to learn to recognize his family apart from others. So, make sure everyone in the house spends quality time, either training your dog or socializing with him or her.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is one of the best puppy training tips that one can give you. We can not emphasize how important it is to have positive reinforcement while your puppy is socializing & getting trained. Every time your puppy learns good behavior, be generous in rewarding them and encouraging them to do better. Whatever happens, do not resort to negative reinforcement because it breaks the trust and love that you have worked hard to build by positively training your dog.
One Step at a Time
Do not hurry your puppy up or expect him or her to catch up with you in the first week itself. Take it slow and take it steady; consistency is the key here. Introduce them to one stranger or one puppy at a time and reward good behavior. Please do not rush to take them to the dog park immediately or expect them to behave themselves the very first time that you go on a walk together.
Where Not to Socialize Your Dogs
The key to practical dog training is to keep it simple. Please do not put your puppy through experiences that they are not ready for. For example, do not take your five-month-old non-socialized puppy to the dog park just yet. Likewise, crowded places such as fairs and concerts are also a no-no.
4. Consistent Encouragement of Your Dog’s Good Behavior
We all adore a well-behaved dog, don’t we? And for that, it’s significant to pat or encourage your dog’s good behavior constantly.
Our dogs are great observers and learners, so reminding them consistently that they are doing something good stimulates them to repeat the behavior. And that would help in teaching your dog appropriate gestures and behavior. Hence, there is no need to stay quiet meanwhile. Give the wholehearted appreciation.
For instance, if your dog calmly sits amid your ongoing dinner, let him know how happy are you with his behavior. Pat his head or give him a forehead kiss to fulfill the encouragement aspect and teach a dog. These positive associations are simply one of the easy dog training tips and are highly effective for a long-term basis.
5. The Environment Creates a Colossal Difference
When it comes to training your dog, it is essential to take care of the environment around him as it is likely to have more distractions outside than in your living area. When you train your dog in a non-distracting environment, they would highly imbibe those tips and tricks more frequently. It will also help in attaining the dog’s attention for a more extended period.
Once you teach a dog new tricks, you can try them out in different environments as well. But, do not expect that it will be as good or get even better than the previous performance held in another setting. It will take time and practice to grab your dog’s attention in that new or novel environment. So, kindly carry the help of rewards that let your dog crazy and happy and keep it majorly fun-based.
It takes time to develop your dog’s focus in a new environment; you will confront some unprecedented challenges. So, do not take it easy and consider it an impossible task. Instead, keep up your fun-based sessions in a consistent manner, as it would indeed turn out to be highly effective for training your dog.
6. Motivation Is the Key
One of the effective ways in terms of training your dog is finding out how to keep your dog motivated on a long-run basis. And for that, you need to try out different rewards. It is essential to know which reward suits your dog best as it will encourage, to do a particular task more persistently.
As per puppy trainer, Lookout whether your dog is willing to do a particular task for treats or praise or toys or a combination of two or all of them? Try these aspects often to get the idea, and remember to use different types of toys and treats. It will help in figuring out the best ones for your dog.
For instance, one dog may not show curiosity to execute an activity even though being loured to food. But on the other hand, a toy may motivate the dog to perform it. Therefore, constantly apply the hit and trial method to get the best results for your dog.
7. Maintaining Consistency with Your Words
Being human allows us to use our vocabulary in numerous ways, but when it comes to training your dog, it is doesn’t apply at all. Hence, one of the easy dog training tips is to use exact, clear & straightforward words whenever possible and consistently.
Many puppy trainers may suggest not to use synonyms. Instead, they recommend maintaining the sound and pronunciation of words throughout the training process as it will help your dog grasp them more frequently. Along with that, continue your rewarding system as it will be highly productive, and train your dog more often.
8. Get Ready for the “OFF” Days as Well
Our days are not always perfect, right? The same goes with the training days of your dogs as well.
Sometimes, your dog might not be in the mood or full energy mode to perform the tasks as well as before. And we must create an empathetic aura and understand them.
And as recommended by many puppy trainers, try out some more straightforward tricks and double up the reward (of at least trying) or have fun with your dog by doing random stuff and just living up the moment. For instance, you can play a game of tug or just walk through the park or “play fetch” with his favorite dog ball. It helps to create a stronger bond & understanding. Moreover, next time while training your dog, he might perform better and grab up more of your praise and love.
9. Learning from The Earlier Mistakes
Are you the one who is constantly struggling in training your dog something new? Take a moment to step back, recall, and figure out what exactly is not working for him. That could be probably due to lack of motivation or having distraction all around, or there is the hindrance of communication between you two. Try to figure out the aspects and work upon them.
For instance, you use the words with the same sound tone, and your dog gets confused with that. It will lead to doing the activity which has already been embedded in his mind due to previous training. Hence, it’s crucial to take care of your teachings, words, tones, and other aspects in a meticulous manner.
While training, try thinking about what’s working, what’s not. Thinking helps to improvise ways of training.
10. Different Methods for Different Dogs
You have to keep in mind that just like humans, each dog has their traits and characteristics, its pallet for flavor. And if the taste of dog treats doesn’t excite him much, it often leads to him opting out of training.
Hence as per any puppy trainer, to train your dog or to teach any command to a dog, it is vital to understand his taste preferences (referring to treats) and then act according to them.
Dog Training FAQs:
What are the five basic commands my dog should know?
An essential question of parenthood becomes “how to train your puppy?”. Let’s act like we are all new to puppyhood and learn some dog training secrets. Good training makes sure both you and your dog stay happy. Starting from the start, the top five super-basic commands that you can teach a dog are
Sit [ Learn here ]
Sit; training command is one of the most straightforward commands to teach your dog. It is also one of the essential commands because it sets the tone for training many complex commands.
Come [Learn here Exact Timeline: 0.58 Seconds]
Teaching your dog to come to you and teaching them well can be a lifesaver at times.
Drop it [Learn here Exact Timeline: Starts at 1:07 Mins.]
“Drop it” is again an essential dog training trick as you explore various aspects of how to train a puppy. It essentially helps your dog leave things that are held between their jaw.
Down [Learn here Exact Timeline: Starts at 0:22 Seconds.]
Some easy dog training tips target teaching your dog not to prance on other people or jump upon kitchen tables or countertops.
Stay [Learn here Exact timeline: 1:25 Mins.]
Stay is mostly asking your dog to stay still while you do something else like fixing their bed or setting out their food. However, it’s also essential to teach your dog control and refrain. Hence one of the critical commands for any dog is to learn to stay at one place till the release or related commend is given!
Q. At what age should I start training my dog?
A can only be potty trained after they turn 12 weeks old using the easy dog training tips as puppies cannot control their bladder and bowel until 12 weeks of age. Mainly formal training with dog training secrets can go from 7 to 12 months.
Q. At what age should I stop training my puppy?
When talking about how to train your puppy, even though you can stop whenever you feel your puppy is fully trained, you must teach a dog regularly. Although, after some time, you can stop putting in so much work, you must keep the dog in shape, stay in touch with your puppy trainer as a dog can only learn from repetition and practice along with positive reinforcement.
Q. What are the most important things to teach my puppy?
Some of our best puppy training tips start here, training your dog to only chew on specific objects (preferably always on – good quality chew toys) and teaching them that not every item they can get their teeth on is essential. In addition, little puppies tend to develop separation anxiety, which can be troublesome after some time, so it’s necessary to teach a dog to live independently. Moreover, training your dog to socialize with other dogs and reinforcing them are other important aspects.
Q. Should I hire a puppy trainer, or should I home train my puppy?
While a puppy trainer can give you professional advice, if your dog isn’t tough to handle, we suggest you believe in training your dog on your own. It will help keep the emotional touch, and you can always refer to a puppy trainer for your dog some dog training secrets.
Q. What are the easiest to train dog breeds?
While some owners know that they are ready for all to see, others may want to go for an easier dog; for such prospect owners, a border collie, poodle, the intelligent and affectionate Miniature Schnauzer maybe some of the top choices.
They can also go for the people-friendly Labrador Retrievers, who are very easy to train along with German Shepherds and Bearded Collies.
Q. How long does it take to train a puppy?
Training a puppy is about consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement to your puppy. So, stick to our dog training secrets and your goal to teach them discipline and good habits; primarily, a good practice of 4 to 6 months and consistency for the rest of the time is all you need.
Q. Can old dogs be trained with new tricks?
You can teach a dog all its life. Follow the easy dog training tips, and you will be surprised by how quick they are. In addition, as dogs are innately fast learners, they are naturally curious and eager to learn; therefore, it won’t be that difficult to teach your adult dog new tricks.
Q. What are the characteristics of a well-trained puppy/dog?
A well-trained and behaved puppy is easily recognizable and brings about happiness to everyone who meets him or her. Anybody having a bad day, coming home to a calm and pleasant dog will have a mood uplift and forget all their worries. You do not have to run behind your puppy to see what they are up to at all times, and you can truly relax. The fact that you can truly enjoy being around them is why it is essential to teach a dog to behave very early on in their life.
Here are the characteristics of a well-trained dog that makes them easily distinguishable from those puppies who have not had sufficient training:
They do not tug on the leash.
Suppose you can walk calmly beside your puppy while you take him or her out; congratulations! However, one of the easy dog training tips that dog parents frequently overlook is leash training which ensures that your puppy does not pull at the leash at any point.
They can Sit and Stay on command.
Any good puppy trainer will enlighten you on these two commands, which are the most important things that you can teach a dog. While training your dog, fancy tricks like rolling over and shaking hands do not command priority but ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ definitely do. The sit & stay command ensures that your puppy will not run away and be safe and by your side even without a leash.
Your dog behaves well with guests.
Overexcited, friendly puppies will display their happiness in having a new person over by literally jumping and climbing all over a person. However, your guest might not be as comfortable with this sort of excitement like you are, and this could be a sign that your puppy is not as well trained as he or she should be.
He would not beg for food at the table.
It is incredibly adorable when they come begging you for food with those deep, literal puppy dog eyes while you eat, but it’s not a good idea to feed them more than what puppies should be fed. One of the most important things that you should teach a dog is not accepting food from strangers, second to which is not begging for table scraps.