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.
Sleep
Ensuring your puppy gets the adequate amount of sleep is essential for growth and development. Puppies need to sleep for around 18 hours per day. If your puppy does not adequately rest throughout the day it can lead to gastrointestinal issues, poor immune response and even anxiety. An overtired/ over stimulated puppy can also show disruptive, unwanted behaviours.
It Is important to have a sleep schedule for your puppy and encourage them to wind down. You should attempt to schedule in sleep time after each meal and when play time/ training ends.
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