Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, down and come. As your puppy starts to learn, you can move onto other commands. Positively reward the dog when it performs the desired task. Puppy schools that are run through vet clinics can best teach owners how to teach their dog in a humane and kind way.
The sit command is often the first command a puppy is taught - mainly because it's probably one of the easiest commands to teach and is a great first stepping stone in successfully training your puppy. Not to mention it's a vital skill that will be useful for the rest of your puppy's life.
Puppies can begin very simple training starting as soon as they come home, usually around 8 weeks old. Always keep training sessions brief—just five to 10 minutes—and always end on a positive note.
Along with their name, the best training lesson you can teach them are the 5 basic commands. These include “come”, “lay down”, “sit”, “stay”, and “leave it.” These 5 tricks may not seem like much, but they provide your pup with a foundation that sets them toward a good path for adulthood.
The three most common, and most necessary training techniques are teaching your dog to sit, stay and come. Teaching your dog to sit is simple and it is also the basis for other commands, so it is a good one to start with.
More specifically, a well-behaved pup should respond to seven directions in order to become a good canine citizen: Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Heel, Off, and No.
If you catch your puppy misbehaving, try a loud noise such as clapping your hands or a loud "uh-uh" or a sharp “off”. Remember, reprimands need to occur while the behavior is happening, preferably just as it begins, and never after.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
You need an incentive to encourage your dog to come back - a really tasty treat or a fun game with a toy. Show your dog the toy or food. Run away a couple of paces then call your dog's name and say "come" in a friendly, exciting tone - getting down low can also encourage them to come back.
Depending on their age, most puppies poop between four and five times per day, typically shortly after eating. There is a significant difference in bowel movements between dog breeds, and their bowel habits will change as your dog ages.
"Sit" is one of the easiest tricks every pet owner should teach their dog. The “sit” command is the starting point for most dog tricks. Once your pet has perfected "sit," they will have an easier time learning other tricks. Teaching your dog "sit pretty" is a fun trick to entertain to your friends and family.
The instant you feel your puppy's teeth touch you, give a high-pitched yelp. Then immediately walk away from him. Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds. If your puppy follows you or continues to bite and nip at you, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds.
A new study reveals that dogs can recognize their owner by voice alone. You might already be sure your dog can recognize you by your voice, but they might not even need their vision or smell to guide them, according to a new study.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
6 Months Old
Puppies are entering the adolescence stage by this point, and it is the most difficult stage to start training at. That is why it is important to start training them as young as possible!
Clothier examines these 7 key points of the dog/human relationship: creativity, consistency, communication, congruency, condition, clarity and confidence.
Commonly used release words are “okay,” “break,” and “free.” Often a release word is followed by another command such as “come.”
Practice a minimum of 10 times per day, say the dog's name (from 2 to 6 feet away) and as soon as the dog looks at you, mark this behaviour with a marker word such as “yes” or a clicker and reward with food or play while giving lots of praise.
The Number One Rule is to ask your dog for a small bit of work before giving them access to anything that he or she wants.