Bringing your new puppy home is an exciting time for all involved. The first few months of life for a puppy are key to shaping their brain and future. This vital window begins to close at 16 weeks old, so it is essential we start teaching them from the very beginning.
We recommend reward-based training as puppies respond well to this method and avoids using harsh techniques.
It is incredibly rewarding training your puppy, but it can quickly become overwhelming especially when searching for advice, it can often lead to being incorrectly informed.
Here are some simple tips and advice we believe will help your puppy succeed in the big, wide world!
Blythman and Partners recommend every puppy enrols onto a training course provided by a recognised dog trainer/ behaviourist.
Please ask for more information.
Handling
It is important to begin desensitising your puppy to human touch the moment you bring them home. Initially start by touching areas your puppy is comfortable with, slowly building up to common problem areas such as ears, paws and mouth. Use plenty of treats to reinforce positive associations. Progress at the pace of your puppy. If they move away whilst being touched, you should go back a step and take a slower approach.
This theory can also be used to desensitise your puppy to teeth brushing or grooming. Introduce items and allow them to investigate whilst rewarding any engagement. Then start to touch your puppy with said item whilst continuing to reward them. Short but frequent bursts of training is recommended and remember not to rush the process.
Please note there are many ways to train your puppy. If you are ever in doubt or have specific issues, please seek professional advice.
Useful links:
Finding a certified clinical animal behaviourist:
www.abtc.org.uk/
Dog training classes near you:
www.apdt.co.uk
Training advice useful videos:
www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice
Analysing dog food:
www.allaboutdogfood.com
