Puppy Training

Training is easier if we attempt to think like a dog.

"Bad" behaviour does not come from a bad place our dog is not trying to annoy us.

It is important to start the basic training asap. Don't allow any bad habits to get established.
It is easier to teach good behaviour rather that "unteach bad behaviour/habits"

We want our dogs to be well behaved so that they can live happily in our homes with us and our families, so that they can be taken for a walk with other dogs and people.

Your new puppy has a lot to learn when he comes to your home.

He has to get used to new sights, smells and sounds

Try to some familiar things for your new puppy, keeping the food and even some bedding from his original home can help him settle in.

Keep initial interaction short and fun.

If you have young children or other animals it is especially important to allow your puppy a safe place to hide away. A crate is ideal for this purpose. The crate is his safe space, it is never used as a punishment.

Allow your puppy to approach you and initiate play.

Essential life skills that we need to teach our new puppy

• To know his name
• Toilet training
• Sit
• Stay
• Come when called (recall)
• Walk forward on a lead without pulling
• Get used to being handled
• We want our dog to be comfortable when left alone

Some puppies need help to retrain from behaviours such as; Stop mouthing (play biting) and to be calm meeting people and to stop them jumping up.

We should start teaching these essential and basic life skills to young pups, however outside of these skills the most important thing for puppies is socialisation.

Early socialisation in is essential. There is a relatively short window where this can occur. Puppies need to have positive experiences with lots of people, situations and noises so that they will not become phobic.
Learn more about socialisation.