Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home? Congratulations! You are certainly in for a lot of adorable moments as you start on this beautiful journey of lifelong friendship with your furry new friend. Fido’s first year is a crucial time: the little guy has a lot of growing to do, and a lot to learn. In this article, a Myrtle Beach, SC vet offers some great puppy training tips.
Curriculum
In addition to house training and crate training, little Fido should learn simple doggy obedience commands. The most important ones are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. Once your pooch has these down, you can work on advanced commands or even cute tricks, but for now, stick to the basics.
Class Schedules
Teach little Fido one command at a time. Don’t move on until your furry pupil has mastered each one.
Avoid Distractions
Down the road, you can reinforce your dog’s training by working with him in busy areas, but for now, keep your adorable student focused by working in a quiet area that is free of distractions.
Keep It Positive
Only work with your furry pal when you’re in a good mood. If you are stressed or grumpy, little Fido will pick up on it, and may form a bad association with training.
Rewards
Use positive reinforcement by rewarding your canine buddy with treats and praise when he does something right. Use small snacks, like cut-up hotdogs or bits of deli meat: you don’t want to overfeed your puppy!
Avoid Long Sessions
Puppies have pretty short attention spans. Keep classes short and sweet, about 20 minutes or so at a time.
Avoid Punishment
Never punish little Fido for not picking something up quickly enough. Dogs don’t understand punishment: your pet may just feel anxious, scared, or angry. Ignore bad behavior, and focus on the good. Also, avoid training methods that use negative reinforcement, such as shock collars.
Consistency
Consistency is very important when training dogs. When working on vocal commands, use the same phrasing every time.
The Name Game
Only use your furry friend’s name in a positive way. If you are reprimanding your puppy, don’t call him by name. That way, little Fido will associate his name with good things. Please contact us, your Myrtle Beach, SC animal clinic, for all of your puppy’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
