From the early days of welcoming a dog into your life, you and your family must be clear and consistent in what their training should be. For this reason, New Pet Parent are on hand to give you some tips for training your four-legged buddy.
Following are two of the most important aspects to consider while training your dog;
Toilet Training
Help them to decide where their toilet is;
Whilst your dog adjusts to its new routine it is essential for you to be very patient and consistent, it takes time. The breeder or rescue centre you acquired your dog from will be able to detail where your pet is used to going to the toilet - typically, this will include grass, gravel, cement, on paper or puppy pee mats. If the latter, and once fully vaccinated, they can be transitioned to a specific area in your garden where you would prefer them to be. Encourage them by using the natural toilet breaks( when they wake up, after playing, after eating) to take them to the chosen toilet area, and reward them when they go potty. With time they will learn, and they will go on their own.
2. Signs they need to go.
Restlessness, lowered body posture, squatting, going to the door and sniffing the ground, crying, are all indications your dog may need to go to the toilet. If you notice any of these behaviours, swiftly and calmly take them to your desired toilet destination.
3. Establish a routine
To prevent accidents and establish a routine in the long term, encourage your dog to go first thing in the morning, lunchtime, after naps, after prolonged activity and before bedtime.
Obedience
Show them their incentive
Treats and toys work best as an incentive for your dog to comply with their obedience training. Rewarding your dog encourages good behaviour and strengthens your relationship - an important part of training your puppy or adult dog.
Gradually increase distance
As they perfect coming back to you, be sure to award praise your dog and then increase the distance between yourself and them. This will encourage them to return to you from afar. Start in a fenced area where there is no risk for your dog to run away, and once recall is mastered, this means they can be trusted to return to you!
New Pet Parent’s Additional Tips
Patience, calmness and consistency are key when training a pet. Whilst reward-based training works best, the following are more training tips from New Pet Parent.
Choose their name wisely: Although more suited to puppies, choosing a name for your dog can make a world of difference to your training efforts. Some names are easier for dogs to hear, making training them easier - opt for a strong, short name that you can emphasise.
Only use positive reinforcement: Praise your pup with a tasty treat to keep them engaged and interested throughout your training session. You should never punish your dog for their disobedience or misunderstanding; this will not resonate with them as part of training and will only make them afraid of you.
Keep sessions short and sweet: Training is most effective when kept to one behaviour at a time, in short sessions of five to ten minutes. Be sure to reward your dog for their learnings throughout and finish their training with a fun game!
Remove distractions: A calm space free of distractions is imperative for training your pet; otherwise, they will become overwhelmed, overstimulated and confused with what you are asking of them - ultimately contradicting all of your efforts to teach them.
Recalling: When calling your dog to be put back on the lead, be sure to reward them - otherwise, they will make the association and become reluctant to come back to you.
Products from New Pet Parent
The ‘New Pet Parent Book: Dog Edition’ is an educational guide rich in all things necessary for pet parents to give their furry companion the best care. From detail on nutrition and exercise to advice on obedience, this book is second to none when training your dog.
Additionally available from New Pet Parent is a range of delicious Superfood and accompanying treats! Your pets can enjoy a delightful range of flavours. Our range of treats and foods can be awarded to your dog for their obedience and compliance in your efforts to train them.
The New Pet Parent website is rich in Superfood, Wellness Products, Accessories and Educational posts for dogs and their owners. Each product can assist owners on their journey to training their dogs to be perfectly obedient. Be sure to shop our exciting range today!
