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.
Jumping Up
Jumping up is a natural way for your puppy to communicate, therefore; it should not be punished and instead discouraged. Prevention is vital, each time your puppy greets someone with all four paws on the ground they should be rewarded with a treat. The treat should be placed on the ground, not given above the head, rewarding downward behaviours. This should be practised often at home by greeting your puppy low and if they jump up step to the side and ignore completely. Praise and reward only when the desired behaviour is shown.
Do not allow strangers to encourage the behaviour or training will be delayed/ ineffective.
Barking
Barking and the use of body language are key factors in which puppies communicate. They express a wide variety of needs and emotions if understood correctly.
Puppies can bark for several reasons:
- Frustration
- Excitement
- Attention
- Anxiety
- Boredom
- Fear
- Stress
Ask yourself why your puppy is barking.
For general barking when bored or barking to seek attention, ignoring and re directing is an effective method of training. If your puppy is barking for more fearful reasons like when left alone, they may require more in-depth training with a behaviourist.
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
