Basic puppy training should start as soon as you bring your puppy home, and it is best if all family members have some input. Once your puppy has mastered the Come and Sit commands, you can move onto Stay and Heel.
Some Useful Training Tips of Which to be Aware
- Puppies can only concentrate for short periods of time, so keep training sessions short, perhaps 5 minutes at a time, several times a day
- Praise and reward the puppy when it does the right thing. Make sure the rewards are given immediately after the correct response is given
- Train in a quiet area with minimal distractions
- Be patient
- Use the puppy’s name first to get his or her attention, before giving the command
- Be clear and concise with your commands
- Use a friendly tone of voice
- Stick to single word commands and use the same words at all times
- Only reward when the puppy has done the right thing
- Avoid punishing your pup if it doesn’t do something correctly
Teaching Your Dog to Stay
Stay is a very useful trick for your pup to learn. Have your puppy come to you and then sit. Reward him when he does so. Then tell your pup to “Stay” and reward him for not moving. Next, tell your pup to “Stay” and take a step backwards. Reinforce the command by holding out your hand, palm facing your pup. Reward your dog if it stays.
Gradually increase the number of steps you move away. Only have your puppy stay for about 5 seconds in the beginning, before offering the reward. If your puppy comes to you instead of staying, start form the beginning again. This task takes some patience.
Teaching Your Dog To Heel
Traditionally a dog should walk on the lead, on the left hand side of the owner. Many dogs pull the lead taut when walking, sometimes pulling owners along with them. Teaching your dog to heel will make walks much more pleasant.
Begin training with your pup, off the lead if it is safe to do so. Your backyard may be a great place to begin. Have him sit and reward him, then start walking and give the command “Heel”, holding treats at the pup's nose level.
Walk 1 or 2 meters, repeating the command, then have your pup sit and give him a reward. Gradually increase the distance you walk before giving your pup another treat.
Next, do the same exercise with the pup on a lead. If the pup pulls on the lead, stop walking. He will soon understand that if he doesn't pull, he will get to walk, and then he will get a tasty treat.
You may also be interested in reading How to Toilet Train Your Puppy.
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