Puppy Training Tips

Has a new canine buddy just joined your household? Congratulations! We love seeing puppies go to wonderful homes. Little Fido’s first year is a very critical time, however, so you definitely have a good amount of pet parenting in front of you. One area that is particularly crucial is your furry buddy’s education. Teaching your four-legged friend about the do’s and don’ts of being a good dog is very important! Read on as a local Lakeville, MN vet offers some helpful advice on training your new puppy.

Basics

Every dog should know simple doggy obedience commands. The five most important ones are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. Make sure your pooch knows these before you move on to more advanced commands or cute tricks.

Class Schedule

Dogs don’t have very long attention spans, so you’ll want to keep your pup’s classes short and sweet. Aim for about 15-20 minutes at a time. You’ll also want to make sure that your furry buddy has each command mastered before you move on to the next one.

Report Cards

A gold star sticker won’t impress little Fido very much, so use treats and praise to reward him. You don’t want to go overboard here: otherwise your adorable student may get too full to think about anything other than a nap. Use small snacks, like bits of kibble or small pieces of cooked, plain, meat. Pieces of hot dogs are also a good option.

Consistency

Always be consistent when training your pet. For instance, you don’t want to tell your canine pal ‘Sit’ one day and ‘Fido, sit down,’ the next. Use the same phrases every time.

Keeping It Fun

Don’t work with your four-legged student if you are sad, tense, or grumpy. Dogs are very, very good at picking up our moods. You don’t want little Fido to get a bad impression about school!

Avoid Negative Reinforcement

Never punish your furry friend for not picking something up quickly enough. Little Fido doesn’t really understand punishment, and may not even realize that he did something wrong. This can leave the little guy feeling anxious, angry, or confused, which can cause or contribute to behavioral issues. Focus on rewarding good behavior, and ignore setbacks.

Do you have any questions about your pet’s health or care? Call us anytime! As your local Lakeville, MN animal clinic, we are here to help!