One theory that I have heard countless times is that a puppy is never ready for training until they are six months of age. I am always surprised by this because I have seen countless puppies establish many bad behaviors by six months of age if they aren’t trained, and I have seen countless puppies receive training from the moment they get accustomed to their home.
In fact, puppy training should be started at a very young age and it has more to do with laying a foundation for more advanced training than actually providing your puppy with formal training.
Basically, when you first bring your puppy home, it is important to take a few things into consideration. First, what is your goal with your puppy? If you simply want a well-mannered dog, then training can be very basic but if you are looking to use the dog for obedience trials, as a show dog or even for hunting, then you are going to have to lay a foundation for advanced training.
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Next, look at what you are able to do. Although our site offers you invaluable advice on training your dog from puppyhood and beyond, it is up to each individual owner to decide on what they are able to do on their own. If you need outside help, enrol in a puppy obedience class since these can offer you valuable hands on instruction.
Lastly, be aware of your own tolerance levels. Don’t get upset with the puppy and don’t expect more than a puppy really can give. Remember that puppy training is the foundation but to secure the best foundation, you need to create a bond and being frustrated with the puppy is not going to create the bond.
Now that you have looked at your own goals, let’s look at how to train a puppy. Before you begin, remember that all puppies are different and will develop at different rates. Regardless of breed, they are puppies and will behave as a puppy. This means that they will chew, nip and bark and it is up to you to train your puppy not to do these things.
Before you start training your puppy, it is important that you have the right tools. What you will need to train a puppy is:
6 foot leash: Never use a retractable leash.
20 foot leash: Not needed immediately but you will want to invest in one eventually.
Collar: With puppies, there is no need for a choke or prong collar, just a simple flat collar is all that is needed.
Crate: Purchase a large crate with dividers. There is no need to start with a small crate and purchase more as your puppy grows.
Bait: This is also the reward. Use bait that is soft and can be cut to about the size of your pinkie nail. I have had a lot of success with rollover and also with turkey wieners sliced into small morsels.
Once you have your tools, it is time to start training your puppy, which you can read in our next article: How to Train a Puppy – Part Two
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