You may think that having a new puppy is joyous and fun time; in reality, having a new puppy means you are responsible for the kind of dog your cute puppy will turn into. Successful training of a new puppy starts immediately and will work only if you are patient, willing to put in a lot of hard work and consistent.
Step 1
Start behavioral training immediately with your new puppy. Use treats coupled with verbal praise when you witness your puppy performing a desirable behavior. Say "No" only when you witness your puppy doing something wrong; if you scold the puppy after the incident, he will not understand what he has done wrong.
Step 2
Perform obedience training to teach your new puppy to respond to commands you give. Use brief, 15-minute training sessions two to three times a day. Say your puppy's name to get his attention, followed by the command, and treat the puppy only once he performs the proper behavior.
Step 3
Say the command only once; repeating the command word such as "Sit" will teach the puppy that he doesn't have to perform a command the first time and he can ignore you.
Step 4
Make the training sessions fun and successful. Train your puppy before mealtime to ensure he will be extra motivated to perform the right behaviors.
Step 5
End the training on a high note; use a command your puppy knows well or call his name to get his attention as the last lesson of the session. Give your puppy a toy at the end of training so he will learn to look forward to each session.
Step 6
Housebreak your new puppy to avoid accidents in the house. Take your new puppy outside first thing in the morning, 30 to 45 minutes after meals, after excited play sessions, just before bed and any time he has not been in the last hour.
Step 7
Place your puppy in a crate whenever you cannot supervise him; puppies will think of crates as their bed and will not want to eliminate on their personal space. Say "No" or clap if you witness the puppy eliminating inside the house; take the puppy outside and praise him when he finishes outside.
Step 8
Expose your new puppy to a variety of people, animals, places and experiences. By teaching your puppy that these things are safe at a very early age, you can prevent anxiety and aggression later in life. Take your puppy to the pet store, dog park, playground and other public areas to provide him socialization with pets and humans.
Step 9
Prepare your puppy for the groomers and veterinarian office by cleaning him at home and checking his coat, teeth, ears and paws on a daily basis.
Tips and Warnings
- Only use your puppy's name in a positive way, when you yell his name he learns that it's bad. Use a crate that is only big enough for your puppy to stand and turn around in; large crates allow room for elimination.
- Never hit your new puppy; this will teach your puppy fear and aggression.
Things You'll Need
- Puppy treats
- Puppy toys
- Puppy crate
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