Puppy Training Tips – Part One

Welcoming a puppy into your family is fun and exciting, however, it can be a lot of work. Whether this is your first dog or you have had a pup in your life before, you should know that you will need to put a lot of effort into training this puppy. Puppies are a lot of work and if you don’t take the time to properly train them, they can become very misbehaved and hard to handle.

That is why we want to help! Our team at Royal Pets Market & Resort loves pets and know some of the best training secrets that can help you turn your crazy pup into a well-trained companion. In a previous blog, we discussed some of the bad puppy habits that you need to break immediately. In part one of this blog, we are going to give you some training tips that can help you make your puppy even more enjoyable! Read on, be sure to stay tuned for part two, and be sure to stop by our pet market and resort for all your favorite pet items, grooming services, and vet services.

Leash Training

Leash training can be a challenge, especially with a puppy who is excited about the world around them. To get started, you will want to get your pup familiar with the leash and collar or harness. Make them wear their collar or harness and leash for short periods of time. You can keep them on the leash while you play with them inside and give them treats. You want your pup to learn that leash time is a good time!

Teach your puppy a cue that you use when they are on the leash. Whether it is a cluck of the tongue, using a word like “yes,” or some other cue, pick something and follow this method. Bring your puppy into a quiet room with no distractions. Use the cue and when your puppy looks at you, reward them with a treat. Eventually, when your puppy hears the cue, they will start coming to you.

As you start practicing using the leash outside, you will want to bring some treats along. As you walk, make sure to keep the leash pulled in so that they are walking close to you. If you notice that they are about to lunge at something or they are getting distracted, make your cue sound and reward them when they come back to you.

If your pup pulls, don’t yank them back or let them drag you along. Instead, stop walking. Simply stand still until they come back to you. When they come back, reward them with a treat. Eventually, they will learn not to pull and stick closer to you.

To teach your puppy to not bark at other dogs that you pass on a walk, make them sit and keep them focused on you. You can pull them to the side and let the other dog pass while telling them “no bark” and holding a treat so they can see it. Keeping them distracted and teaching them to not bark will help you avoid this bad habit as they grow older.

When it comes to training your puppy on the leash, training treats are a must. Make sure that you are keeping your pups attention during your walks and pretty soon they will be experts on the leash!

Potty Training

Housetraining your pup is another challenge that you will want to master right away. While a puppy is going to have accidents from time to time, you can quickly potty train your pup with these tips.

As you start potty training your puppy, you will want to keep them confined to a small area in your home, whether it is one room or a crate. As they become better housetrained, you can let them have more space to roam. This will not only help you keep track of where they have accidents in the house, but also allow you to keep them confined to an area that allows for easier cleanup, such as spaces with laminate, tile, or hardwood floors.

When you start potty training your pup, you will want to keep them on a regular feeding schedule and be sure to take their food away between meals. Be sure to take your pup outside to relieve themselves after each meal.

You will also want to be sure to take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after they wake up from their naps, and right before going to bed or leaving them at home alone. Throughout the day, you will want to bring them out regularly, about once an hour. As your pup ages, they will be able to hold it better and won’t need to go out so often.

Every time you bring your puppy outside to relieve themselves, take them to the same spot. Smelling their own scent will prompt them to go. This is a great way to make sure they do their business every time you take them out. When your pup does go outside, be sure to praise and reward them.

If you catch your pup in the act of relieving himself in the house, clap loudly so that they know they did something wrong and gently take them outside to let them finish. When they are done, praise them.

If they do have an accident in the house and you find it hours later, do not yell or punish them. Dogs are unable to connect your anger with something they did hours ago, so they will not understand what they did wrong.

You can also teach your puppy to scratch at the door or ring a bell hanging from the doorknob when they have to use the bathroom. To do this, have your puppy sit in front of the door and hit the bell or the door before you bring them out. Do this every time you bring them outside, reward them when they hit the bell or the door, and eventually, they will learn that this is a sign they want to go potty.

These are a few of the most important pieces of puppy training that we know most new puppy owners will want to know! In part two of this blog, we will go over some of the other puppy training tips that will help make your puppy an A+ student! Be sure to stop by our pet store and resort to get everything you need for your new pup. Contact Royal Pets Market & Resort today to learn more.