Have you recently adopted a puppy? Congratulations! Fido’s first year is a very crucial time. As a responsible pet parent, you’ll want to take the time to train your puppy and teach him good doggy manners now, while he’s young. Training a young dog is much easier than correcting bad behavior in an adult pooch! Below, an Aurora, CO veterinarian offers some helpful dog training tips.
Start With The Basics
Every dog should know the five basic commands of good doggy obedience. These commands, which are Sit, Stay, Heel, Come, and Lay Down, are very important, both for good ‘petiquette’ and for safety reasons. Make sure little Fido has these down pat before moving on to other training.
One Lesson At A Time
Don’t confuse your furbaby by teaching him too many things at once. Housebreaking and crate training work well together, and can both be done in conjunction with other training. Aside from that, however, only work on one thing at a time. Make sure Fido has mastered a command before moving on to the next one.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Never punish your canine buddy for slipping up, or for not catching on fast enough. Negative reinforcement doesn’t work well with dogs, and can often backfire. Fido generally acts according to natural instincts, and may not even understand why he’s being reprimanded. Instead, focus on the positive, and reward your furry student with treats and praise when he does well.
Treats
Treats are a great training aid. A small, yummy snack can be a wonderful motivator! Just don’t overindulge little Fido with fatty treats. Choose small treats, or even bits of kibble.
Short Classes
Don’t bore your dog with long classes. Instead, work with Fido in short intervals. About 15 to 20 minutes, once or twice a day, is plenty.
Timing
Never work with your pooch when you are in a bad mood or feeling stressed. Fido will very likely pick up your emotions, and may form a bad association with training.
Consistency
Consistency is very important. When training your pup to respond to vocal commands, use the same phrasing every time. Also, be clear about what is and is not allowed. Don’t let Fido sleep on the couch one day, and then reprimand him for it the next.
Please contact us, your Aurora, CO vet clinic, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs.
