What’s The Right Age To Start Training Your Puppy? | The Driven Dog

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the right age to start training your puppy will vary depending on their temperament, personality, and background. However, a good rule of thumb is to begin training your puppy as early as possible—ideally at around 8 to 12 weeks old. Puppies are typically more open to learning new things and forming good habits at this age. They’re also less likely to be fearful or resistant to training, making the process more manageable and enjoyable for you and your pup. There is proper guidance and plans which you must view on dog trainers perth.

Of course, every puppy is different, so if you have a late bloomer who isn’t quite ready for training at 8-12 weeks old, don’t worry – you can still start their training a bit later. It also depends on the breed, so if you have a mini husky, check out www.minihuskylovers.com/ for more tips in regards to that breed. Be patient, and keep in mind that it may take a little longer for your pup to learn the ropes.

Tips for Training Your Puppy

As we have established above, training a puppy requires time, patience, and consistency. However, Ridgeside K9 Summerville Dog Training has a few additional tips that can help make the process even easier:

Use positive reinforcement: Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, so focus on rewarding your pup for good behavior rather than scolding them for bad behavior. That will make dog training Tulsa more fun for both of you and will help your puppy associate good behavior with something they enjoy (i.e., treats, praise, etc.).

Be consistent: It’s essential to be consistent when training your puppy, as they will quickly get confused if you’re constantly changing the rules. So, decide what you want them to do (or not do), and stick to it.

Make training sessions short and sweet – Puppies have a short attention span, so keep training sessions short and sweet—no more than 10-15 minutes at a time. This will help keep them focused and motivated.

Be patient: Remember that puppies are still learning, so don’t expect them to be perfect right away. Be patient, and praise them when they do something well. Over time, they will get the hang of it.

Basic Cues (Sit, Stay, Come)

One of the best things you can do to help train your puppy is to teach them some basic cues. Commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” will come in handy throughout their lives and will make obedience training much easier down the road. Here’s how to teach your pup these basic cues:

Sit: Start by holding a treat close to your pup’s nose, then slowly move it up and over their head. Say “sit” in a firm, gentle voice. Most pups will follow the treat with their eyes and sit down. Please give them the treat and praise them enthusiastically.

Stay: Once your pup has mastered the “sit” cue, you can move on to teaching them the “stay” cue. Start by having the pup sit before introducing him, then say “stay” firmly. Hold out your hand, palm facing your pup, and wait for them to stay in place. If they try to get up, gently guide them back into a sitting position and say “stay” again. Once they remain in place for a few seconds, could you give them a treat and praise them?

Come: The “come” cue is one of the most important cues you can teach your pup, as it will help keep them safe in case they ever get loose. To teach your puppy the “come” cue, start by putting them in a sitting or down position. Then, say their name followed by the word “come” in a happy voice. Please take a few steps back and wait for them to come to you. If they don’t come right away, you can gently lure them with a treat. Once they reach you, please give them a treat and praise them.

Leash Training

Leash training is another important aspect of puppy training that you should not skip. A well-trained pup will be much easier to walk on a leash, and you’ll also be less likely to have any issues with them getting loose. Here are a few tips for leash training your pup:

Start young: The earlier you start leash training your pup, the easier it will be. Start when they are around 8–10 weeks old, and use positive reinforcement to teach them.

Make it fun: Leash training can be daunting for puppies, so make it as fun as possible. Play games with them, give them treats when they do well, and keep things positive.

Introduce them to different environments: Take your pup to various environments, such as busy streets, parks, and stores. That will help them get used to the sights and sounds of everyday life and will make leash training much more manageable.

Be patient: like all things puppy-related, be patient and go at your pup’s pace. They will get the hang of it with time and patience.

It doesn’t have to be complicated: start early, be consistent, and be patient. With a bit of effort, you’ll have a well-trained pup. There’s no shame in reaching out to a professional dog trainer for help if you feel stuck.