When Should You Start Puppy Basic Training?

As soon as you bring home your new puppy, you should start training it. It is never too early to start training a puppy or dog. Remember also, to always keep a lead and collar on your puppy in public places to keep it out of danger from road traffic, etc. It is also a good idea to keep your pup in sight when he's off a lead, especially around older dogs.

Socialization and plenty of exercise are also essential for a growing puppy. Being out in public places allows socialization to occur by allowing the puppy to interact with people, get used to various noises, see new things, feel new things under his paws, smell new smells and so much more. This is essential and cannot be overemphasized. All dogs and puppies should be exercised daily. One great benefit of all this exercise is that the animal will sleep well and not get as bored, which is the overall cause of most bad habits and destructive behavior that occurs in most young dogs and puppies. Proper socialization also helps to prevent shyness in dogs.

How to Start Basic Puppy Training

You can easily start training a puppy at about 3 to 4 months of age or even younger if you'd like. Don't overdo these exercises, especially with really young puppies however - 10 minutes a session is quite adequate to start. You'll find that young puppies are highly distractible and tire fairly quickly, and the downside of a tired puppy is that a tired pup won't retain most things he's learned. It is important to be regular in your training sessions, taking him out at about the same time and place each day. If you go so far as to dress in the same shoes or jacket each training session the pup will soon associate those shoes or that jacket with an upcoming training session too.

Basic Puppy Training - Teaching a Puppy to Sit

It's fairly easy to teach a young puppy to sit. With a favorite treat in your left hand, get the puppys attention. Squat down, showing the puppy the treat and move the treat closer to the pups nose. Once you've gotten his entire attention move the treat backward toward his face and downward too. In most cases this one action will cause the puppy to sit. Don't forget the "SIT" command as you teach him the new action. If it doesn't work, you can always lightly press down on his back end with your right hand as you repeat the treat motion with your left hand. He will have no choice but to sit. Remember to firmly say the command "SIT" as you repeat the process. Repeat this new command several times, praising him each time he sits correctly - ignore the wrong attempts.

Basic Puppy Training - Teaching a Puppy to Heel

This is an important basic command to learn. The easiest way to teach your puppy to heel is by walking at a steady pace with your puppy in a firm fitting collar attached to a lead. While keeping the puppy on your left hand side, say the command "HEEL", slap your thigh or the side of your leg to get your pups attention and start walking. If your pup pulls away, stops or gets distracted, just keep walking, give him a tug toward you, say "HEEL" and start walking again. He'll soon get the message and follow along. Remember, if you don't stop, he'll have to follow you. When he obeys, praise him and he'll soon get the message. Repetition is key.

So, once you've mastered these two basic puppy training commands you're well on your way to a new well trained dog. Remember to make your sessions short in the beginning, maintain an upbeat composure, positively reward your puppy whenever he works correctly and always end on a good note. You can always lengthen the training sessions as the puppy matures. Keep up the training and who knows what you and your puppy can accomplish?

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