The first steps in basic puppy training involves teaching your puppy their name, focusing on you, and establishing basic commands like “sit”, “come”, and “stay”. It’s also crucial to begin house training and crate training from day one. Remember to use positive reinforcement, keep training sessions short, and be consistent.
Name Recognition & Focus
- Teach your puppy their name: Say their name while giving them a treat. As they look at you, reward them with another treat.
Basic Commands
- “Sit”: Use a treat to lure your puppy into a sitting position, and say “sit”.
- “Come”: Start in a quiet area and call your puppy’s name and the word “come,” rewarding them when they come to you.
- “Stay”: Start with short “stay” periods and gradually increase the duration.
- “Leave it”: Place a treat on the floor and have your puppy leave it, rewarding them with a higher-value treat for good behaviour.
- “Down”: Lure your puppy into a down position with a treat.
House Training
- Establish a routine: Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after waking up, eating, and playing.
- Positive reinforcement: Praise and reward your puppy when they are going to the toilet outside.
- Crate training: Provide a crate as a safe and comfortable space, and gradually increase the time they spend in it.
Socialisation
- Gradually introduce your puppy to new things: People, places, sounds, and other dogs.
- Puppy classes: Enroll your puppy in puppy classes for socialisation and basic obedience.
Positive Reinforcement
- Reward desired behaviours: Use treats, praise, and affection to reinforce positive behaviors.
- Ignore unwanted behaviours: Don’t punish your puppy, but rather redirect their attention.
Consistency & Patience:
- Keep training sessions short and fun: Avoid overwhelming your puppy with too much information at once.
- Be consistent with commands and expectations: Everyone in the household should use the same commands and training methods.
- Be patient and understanding: Puppies learn at different paces.