Have you welcomed a new four-legged arrival into your family? Congratulation! To develop a good bond with your puppy, it is above all necessary to teach him well-defined rules and teach him certain behaviors.
The education of a puppy indeed begins as soon as it arrives in your home and requires dedication, patience, and the application of positive methods. Discover our tips for training your puppy.
1. Potty training him
Generally, a puppy cannot go outside until their vaccination schedule is complete. During this time, he must stay at home: you must then teach him to urinate on a newspaper or a “pee pad”. Once he’s finished eating, sleeping, or playing, place him on top. If he urinates, praise him and pet him so he understands that he did the right thing.
However, this method must remain temporary. You must prevent your puppy from assimilating your home to his place of elimination. Once his vaccination is complete, it’s time to introduce him to the outside world and teach him how to relieve himself outside.
For the first few days, start by moving the newspaper around the garden or the street, then gradually remove it when it needs to relieve itself. You can also repeat the same words to him like “do your business” when he is in an authorized area and systematically reward him as soon as he operates in the indicated place. His brain will be conditioned to do his business as soon as he hears his words. This a useful tip if you have to walk your companion late at night or in the pouring rain!
Good to know
A puppy learns cleanliness around 4/5 months. Don’t be impatient and try to get it out as often as possible. If he relieves himself indoors, never punish him with physical punishment. This is counterproductive and will only instill fear in his master. Interrupt him in a calm tone and then take him outside.
2. Teach him basic commands
If you can, devote about 10 minutes a day (or more) to basic obedience commands like “sit”, “down”, “heel” or “standstill”. These are fundamental for good communication and complicity with your animal. They also make it possible to ensure his safety during his walks. To reinforce obedient behavior, remember to reward him each time with petting or treats.
3. Define your territory
Your puppy is a member of your household, but he must understand that the house does not belong to him. The risk? Let him start controlling the comings and goings of your family members. To help him understand where his place is, it is advisable to:
– place your basket in the corner of a living room (living room, kitchen, etc.) and avoid passageways such as the entrance or the hallway;
– delimit the places where he can not go like your room or the kitchen, as well as the places in height such as the bed and the sofa.
There are no general rules: each master and dog is different, and it is up to you to decide what you allow or not. But beware: a dog is an animal that needs consistency. Whatever rules are decided within your household, it is essential that they are applied by the whole family, at the risk of confusing your companion as to the limits to be respected.
4. Socialize him
Socialization is an essential step for him to live in harmony with his surroundings. Your puppy must indeed feel confident in your home and learn to accept others. When he arrives, put him in contact with all the members of your family and make sure that he creates bonds with each one during moments of complicity (grooming, play sessions, walks, etc.).
5. Help him be alone
It is important that your puppy learns to be left alone as soon as possible. If this is not the case, he can develop abandonment anxiety which will then lead him to bark while you are away or to attack your furniture. This learning is therefore not to be taken lightly: these behavioral problems can indeed worsen with age.
When she educates her little ones, a mother dog will teach them socialization… before starting to move away from them gradually (by sleeping at a distance for example) from two months. Thanks to this, her puppies learn to be left alone and to be more independent.
If you adopted your puppy very early, this attachment bond can be created with you or a member of your family. Just like the mother, it is then essential to teach her to be independent in your absence. Educators generally recommend not giving in to all their requests for hugs, caresses, and games. Also, try not to “dramatize” your departure by saying goodbye to him before each absence: this will only accentuate his feeling of abandonment.
If despite everything, your dog is stressed or anxious during your absences, there are solutions to help you soothe him, such as the Alphacalm food supplement. This product calms your little companion when he shows signs of restlessness.
Cleanliness, basic orders, socialization, and autonomy… The education of the puppy should not be neglected, because it is easier to teach him rules when he is small. This is why it is recommended, from an early stage, to also accustom it:
– car journeys;
– to be manipulated: this will facilitate the examination by you or a veterinarian;
– washing: bathing or simply cleaning the ears or eyes… The sooner your puppy gets used to being washed and showered, the less reluctant he will be.