Recently adopted a puppy? That’s wonderful news! Now that your little fella has settled in, are you starting to notice his penchant for chewing on things, like couch cushions and slippers? When this happens, a little dog training can go a long way towards keeping little Fido out of trouble and keeping your home intact. In recognition of Dog Training Education Month, here are a few tips on how to train your pup.
Lead With “Pawsitive” Reinforcement
You want Fido to see training as a good experience and yelling at him doesn’t accomplish this when he does something wrong. Instead,try to redirect him towards other activities when he’s engaged in bad behaviors and reward good behavior with treats.
Establish House Rules
Before you bring Fido home, decide what he can and can’t do. Should he be allowed on the furniture? On the bed? Will he be allowed in any room of the house, or will certain areas be off-limits? Make these decisions ahead of time. And once he arrives, always be consistent or else he’ll get confused.
Train Your Pup to Come When Called
The first thing little Fido learns should be the “come” command. When training him, be sure to use his name. Also, don’t forget to praise him and get excited when he does it right.
No Biting and Nipping
When your pup starts biting or nipping at your leg or hand, try giving him a bone or a chew toy as a replacement. You can also try interrupting the behavior and then ignoring him.
Discourage Jumping
Jumping up on you or anyone else can easily become a bad behavior that’s difficult to break, so you’ll want to discourage it right away. A good way to stop this behavior is to ignore it by turning your back, then praise Fido when he settles down.
Give Fido His Own Space
Just like humans, dogs need their own space, so make sure your little pup has his own private place to sleep, like a dog bed situated in a separate room or a crate.
Reward Good Behavior
Never forget to reward baby Fido for good behavior. You can do this with treats, toys, and lots of praise.
If you have more questions about dog training or want the name of a good trainer in your area, please feel free to contact us. We can help!
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