What Is the First Thing You Should Train Your Puppy?

Regardless of the size and the breed, there are many things you will want to teach your puppy to raise the dog you will always love. And while there are many things to teach the puppy, some come first before others. But because it can be challenging to tell what comes first before another unless you’re an expert dog trainer, the first thing to do is learn from the professionals such as those from https://www.canine-by-design.com/programs/service-training/.

With the help of professional trainers like these, you learn different things, including training basic obedience, teaching the dog about aggression, and using the leash correctly. Next, let’s also explore the first things you should teach your puppy before implementing others.

Potty Training

Potty training is among the priority things you should train your puppy because most small dogs don’t know how to manage their bladders. And again, unless you teach the dog the right place for their short and long calls, it can be challenging to have a clean space right after you bring them home. So, to avoid uncleanness and raising a dog others will regard as irresponsible, start potty training as early as possible. In addition to learning to take their short and long calls at the proper places, potty training also teaches the dog manners other methods cannot. And if you potty train using pads, you will enjoy the below benefits.

It Makes the Training Straightforward

One of the advantages of using potty training pads is that it makes the dog learn to use the pot easier. The pads always come with features that engage the dog into urinating and defecating on them. Some features include a pheromone made to attract puppies into their relevant places for short and long calls. In the end, your puppy will, therefore, quickly follow the routine until they get used. 

Potty Training Pads Keep the Puppy Healthy and Safe

Even when you train your puppy to use the pot or even a crate properly without using pads, the disadvantage of not using pads is that your dog can be exposed to bacteria and other harmful elements while using the pot. But with training pads, you limit the odds of exposure to anything that has health complications.

In addition, safety and health are also concerns about your house. When your dog helps themselves anywhere, especially after teaching them to use a pot or crate correctly, but you’re absent, the waste will scatter throughout your space. 

And unless you find out on time, you could also be a victim of the health effects of the waste. So, to prevent this from happening, use pads.

Potty Training Pads Save Time

If you are a busy individual, you know it can be stressful always to keep an eye on your puppy and determine when they need help or not. And this also applies to teaching them how to use the pot and crate. But with training pads, you can attend to other essential activities as the puppy does everything on the pads. Afterward, while disposing of the waste, you can then use this time to demonstrate to the dog when to use the pot or crate while you have already avoided messing up.

Appropriate Playing and Interacting With People and Other Dogs

Because playing with kids and other dogs also involves interaction, teach these commands as a combination. For a start, discourage the dog from biting on others and kids. Watch out when the puppy wants to use their claws and teeth and immediately stop them. Keep the process until they learn to manage their urge to bite on anything that comes their way. In addition, teach the puppy to interact with kids and other dogs.

You can train this by discouraging them from barking at people who often visit and fighting with other dogs. You can also share meals and playing kits, and toys for the dogs to help them create a bond. And for kids or adult people, you can allow the puppy to join them in playing and let the dog develop a bond with them.

Teaching the Dog to Focus

Focus in this sense is to help the puppy’s developmental abilities that can boost their instincts, especially if you want to keep the dog for security purposes. And to teach focus, start by calling the dog several times while playing or when resting and keep doing it until the puppy learns to respond promptly. Or, you can play the hide and seek games and reward the dog after you call them out and they respond quickly.