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.
Toileting
It is important to make frequent trips to the toilet, especially after food and water.
Reward and praise your puppy when they toilet in the desired area. Using a command like ‘toilet’ can teach them to understand what you are asking from them. It is important not to punish your puppy when they toilet in an undesired area. Punishment only harms their relationship with you, and they may begin to link toileting with punishment.
It is a good idea to play or allow your puppy time to sniff after toileting outside, so they do not associate toileting with the end of outside time.
Puppy pads can be very useful when house training. It uses the same technique as above and can avoid indoor accidents, however; it can delay training them to toilet outside.
If your puppy is an aggressive chewer, it may be worth considering the use of vet bed material to line their cage as this is super absorbent and safer.
If your puppy is urinating and defecating only when left alone regardless of frequent toilet breaks, they may be struggling with being alone and may benefit from seeking behaviourist advice.
Some puppies eat their own stools (coprophagia), while this is unpleasant it is not uncommon and almost all puppies will grow out of it however if the behaviour persists, please consult your vet.
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
