There are certainly puppy training facilities to turn to when it comes time to train your four-legged friend, but what if you could start to train your pooch at home? Keep reading to find out more about puppy training and obedience training at home.
Basic Puppy Training
From the moment you bring your beloved pet home, training should begin. Much like a new baby, your puppy needs a lot of help and guidance in the early days, weeks, and months. Here are some basic obedience training commands to keep in mind:
How to Train a Puppy to Come
Your dog will need to learn to obey specific commands, and coming to you is one important one. Start by calling your pup’s name, followed by the word “come.” Then give him or her a treat. After this becomes simple to him or her, place the treat on the floor near you.
Your puppy will start reaching in near you to get the treat. Eventually, they will learn to understand what the command means. Each time, it should take a little longer for your puppy to get the treat. Eventually, the word “come” will encourage your dog to turn your way immediately.
To be sure this does not backfire on you, don’t ever use this command to scold your pup!
How to Teach a Puppy to Sit
How to teach a puppy to sit is a process that involves repetition. Start by saying “sit” and placing your puppy in the sitting position. Then provide a treat. The key to your pup understanding this command – or any command – is repetition. Keep repeating it, and each time, help your puppy a little less. Eventually, he or she will learn to do so on their own when they are triggered by the word.
How to Train a Dog to Stay
This command only works if you teach your dog what the release word is afterward. For example, say “ok” or “go,” to signal to your puppy that it is alright to move. Provide a treat only after the dog has started moving. This will take some time, but eventually, your puppy will learn that they are supposed to wait until they hear the release word before they start to move.
These three basic dog commands are the foundation of training your puppy. Once they have mastered these skills, puppies can easily learn many other training techniques.
When to Start Training a Puppy
Your puppy will need to begin obedience training as soon as you bring them home. You should remain patient and kind to your animal throughout the obedience training phase. It can take time for your pups to catch on as they are also developing. Always treat your dog with kindness and love to see optimal results.
How Long Does It Take to Train a Puppy?
The puppy stage can last as long as three years for some breeds. But you can expect the training phase to last for about four to six months. To train your puppy in the best manner, make sure you stay kind, gentle, and loving. Do not use harsh, rough, or punitive methods to teach your dog how to follow basic puppy commands.
Remember that your pup is basically just a baby. It takes time to learn basic dog commands and to master potty training.
Puppy Training Schedule
You should be consistent with your training. Stick to about 20 or 30 minutes per day to not overwhelm your little pup. Just be sure to choose the same time of day as often as possible. Consistency is key to successfully training your puppy in the quickest time possible with the best results.
How to Train an Older Dog
It is never too late to train your dog. If you adopted your dog later on in his or her life and your puppy’s behavior isn’t the best, you have to begin with behavior correction. You have to show your puppy what habits you want him or her to break and offer a reward when your dog does follow your commands.
A positive reward system is the ideal method of dog training. Just be aware that it may take a little bit longer to get an older dog to follow your commands than a brand new puppy. But hang in there and keep it positive. Your dog does have the capacity to learn to improve their behavior.
What to Avoid When Puppy Training
To train your puppy, you have to keep it positive and fun. Your dog should feel loved and welcome. Here are some things to avoid if you want your obedience training to turn out well:
- Do not use physical punishment to teach your dog a new command.
- Do not associate negative effects with good behaviors.
- Never punish your dog using excessive force.
- Do not deprive your dog of their basic needs as a technique.
What Type of Training Is the Top Priority?
Teaching your dog the basic dog commands mentioned above are the first and most important commands. Once your dog has mastered those, learning other commands is much simpler and easier. If some of the other commands you want your dog to earn are more complex, they may take more time to learn them.
If they can at least perform these essential commands, you can manage to work around your pet until potty training and other obedience techniques are taught.
The Bottom Line
Young or old, your beloved pet has the capacity to learn anything. It’s all about how you present it to them. If you remain patient and calm and continuously show your dog love and compassion, training your dog will be much easier. Plus, dogs really do respond well to positive reinforcement.
Set up realistic expectations to remain stress-free and happy. Your dog cannot learn everything in a day, and some commands may be easier to learn than others. Just hang in there and stay consistent. With positivity, consistency, love, and encouragement, your dog will learn to follow all of your commands.
