The Ultimate Guide to Training Your New Puppy
A puppy’s first eight months are a time to become familiar with their new home’s sights, sounds, and smells. It’s also a time for them to build healthy habits that will last throughout their lives.
They should learn to ask politely for things (using a “drop it” command) and to know that biting is inappropriate.
Feeding
Puppies like Pomsky puppies for sale near me need structure and consistency, especially regarding feeding and potty habits. Puppies can also start to get into trouble with chewing or chasing, so establishing ground rules and nipping bad habits in the bud is critical.
At this stage, it is helpful to introduce basic obedience commands like “Sit” and “Come.” This is a great way to focus your puppy’s attention on you and reward them for looking to you for direction!
During this time, it is best to try to feed your pup the same food they were eating before you brought them home (unless there is a reason for you to change their diet – see below). If you do, gradually switch the food over a few days to minimize upset tummies. Avoid raw meat or bones, cooked sausages/meat, and processed foods that may contain sulfites that can be toxic to puppies.
Training
From a puppy’s perspective, the world can be confusing and scary. Around every corner are new sights and sounds and unpredictable situations. And then there’s us, crazy humans, asking them to sit here, stay here, and not touch that. Puppy training is essential for helping your dog learn what’s expected of them and establishing a solid foundation for life.
Puppies that haven’t been trained can exhibit destructive behaviors and constant whining and barking whenever they’re out of sight – better known as separation anxiety. This can lead to various problems, including housebreaking, leash aggression, and general stress.
Early on, you can begin training by introducing basic obedience commands like Sit and Come using positive reinforcement techniques (clicker training) and low-calorie treats. You can also start threshold training by having them sit at doorways, open doors, crosswalks, and other areas to prevent them from pulling or lunging at these obstacles while walking. You can even incorporate this into playtime by having them sit before grabbing a toy.
Socializing
Uns adequately socialized puppies may develop fear-based behaviors that persist into adulthood. These behaviors can be challenging to eliminate and often include a lack of confidence and an inability to adjust to new situations.
When introducing your puppy to new environments, always read her body language and be sensitive to what she needs from you. Depending on her age, temperament, and learning so far, she may need to stay near you, while other times, she will want to explore on her own.
Food, toys, and play can help your puppy become comfortable with surfaces and objects by creating positive associations. For example, tossing a treat on a slippery or unstable surface will interest your puppy and encourage her to investigate the surface voluntarily. Then, she can be rewarded for her bravery. This approach also allows you to monitor how she responds and remove her from the environment if she becomes anxious. This is especially important for puppies who have not had a chance to learn to sit and stay or who are in crate training.
Exercise
Puppies are little balls of energy and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. This helps keep their brains sharp, which can make learning easier.
Training exercises like sitting, staying, and healing help to build a bond between puppy and owner. They also establish you as the pack’s leader, which can help prevent various behavioral issues.
However, it’s essential to limit their exercise sessions. Young puppies do not have the cardiovascular system to handle endurance workouts and can easily overdo it. This can be damaging to their developing bones, joints, and tendons.
Try to stick with a schedule of short, gradually increasing walking and playtime sessions. Avoid games that require your pup to jump down from high places, dash, and change direction repeatedly, or chase after toys. These types of activities can damage growing puppy bones and joints. It’s better to focus on obedience work and commands, which can be done safely indoors!
Health
Puppies are like eager little sponges in those first few months, and training can help build a strong bond, create a confident, well-mannered adult dog, and support a harmonious household. However, training can be challenging and requires the puppy’s and trainer’s patience and consistency.
While puppies learn from their mother and littermates, they also learn from their new owners and environment. They will learn more quickly if they receive positive reinforcement for good behavior and less if they are punished for mistakes.
For example, an excellent way to teach bite inhibition is by using food rewards during play and ending the game when they use their teeth too hard. This will help them control their mouth and prevent injuries and discomfort for the puppy and their human companion. In addition, training will provide mental stimulation for your fur baby, which can help prevent boredom and the destructive behaviors that often result from it. It can also help them get used to having their ears and paws touched, making vet visits and nail trims less stressful.