So, you’re getting a new puppy, huh? Well, congratulations! That little bundle of joy will definitely bring happiness to your life. But, as much fun as this is, you also need to get prepared for some hard work. You’re the owner, which means that you are responsible for that little animal’s health, happiness, as well as behavior. Don’t worry, all this “hard work” will also turn out to be a lot of fun.
When behavior is in question, the best thing you can do is start an obedience training program from the very first day you bring the puppy into your home. Okay, maybe not the very first day. That one is reserved for cuddles and playing, am I right? But, you should definitely start as soon as possible, since younger dogs are easier to teach. Plus, once your canine develops a certain pattern of behavior, it is really difficult to change it. Related content.
In addition to being a great way to teach your doggie proper behavior, obedience trainings also create a bond between the new puppy and the new family right from the start. That means that you will be doing two useful things at once. And, if you are a new owner, you shouldn’t get discouraged, or think that you won’t be able to do this on your own. Although it sounds a bit scary, obedience training is really not that complicated. But, if you give it a go and find that you are not cut out for it, there are always classes you can take.
However, I strongly suggest that you do the training on your own. Like I said, it is really not that complicated and I have no doubt that you can be very good at it if you give it a go. Of course, you shouldn’t even begin without doing a bit of research and finding as much useful information as possible. With that in mind, I am here to get you properly acquainted with obedience training, so that you know how to do it the right way and avoid making any rookie mistakes.
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What Is Obedience Training?
Let me put this as straightforward as possible. Obedience training exists to make your dog understand its place in the world, and specifically in your family. By engaging in this practice, you will teach the puppy how to develop healthy habits and behaviors and stay clear of negative ones. This also includes teaching them how to interact with people outside the family, as well as other dogs and other animals in general.
One of the most significant benefits when it comes to training the pup yourself lies in the fact that you can adapt the training to your own lifestyle. This means that you can teach the animal anything that it needs to learn, so that both your family and your pet lead a pleasant life together. Of course, these trainings usually start with those basic commands, such as “come” and “sit” and “stay”, but if you put in an effort, you can teach them literally anything.
What Do You Need?
Of course, in order to be able to do this, you require three important things. First of all, you need to find good online dog resources that will help you in the process. Secondly, you need to load up on patience, which implies that you shouldn’t give up after a couple of unsuccessful attempts. And, last but not least, you are going to need a lot of dog treats. I mean, A LOT! So, stock up. You can also get some pet accessories for training purposes like collar and leash.
Additionally, you need to understand that this “homeschooling” should be incorporated as a completely normal, daily activity. That means that you shouldn’t regard it as an obligation and decide to set aside a few minutes, or hours a day specifically for this. Instead, this should be something you do step by step, during every interaction with your canine. It should come naturally, rather than being forced. Think of it as raising your puppy.
Therefore, I am here to give you a few simple tips you should keep in mind when you finally decide to start the obedience training. These will help you raise a perfect and balanced dog which will increase both yours and your animal’s quality of life. And that’s not only your wish, but also your responsibility as a pet owner. So, let’s get started.
Keep Trainings Short And Sweet
I have mentioned above that this needs to be incorporated as a normal, daily routine. However, that doesn’t mean that you should constantly train your puppy. That would be rather overwhelming, both for you and your little furry companion. Plus, there are other things you need to do during the day, so it would be virtually impossible to focus on this 24/7.
What you should do instead is keep the practices under 5-10 minutes, but repeat them during the day. This is the most effective way for your canine to learn. Additionally, keep in mind that it can learn only one thing at a time, so don’t jump from command to command. Focus on one until it has been mastered. And, of course, don’t forget to sweeten things up with a treat whenever your pet succeeds to obey a command.
Do It Everywhere
Obedience training doesn’t need to be done only in the comfort of your own home. If you do it like this, your dog will probably learn to respond to you only inside the house, or the apartment. So, practice this in your yard, at parks, during walks… In other words, practice in all those places that you and your pet spend time together.
Don’t Forget Rewards
Now, remember all those treats you stocked up with? Your practices are the right time to use them. Whenever your doggie obeys you and follows your commands, make sure to show them affection and reward them with a treat. This helps the animal create positive associations with the commands. Treats are not a necessity, but they can definitely be of great help. Still, if you don’t want to use them, it’s enough to encourage the dog verbally and by petting them.
