Setting out on your journey to learn to train a puppy will be much more effective if you track and test your progress along the way. I know that sounds very “fuzzy” and lacking substance - don’t glaze over and ignore it, as it will be a big help when you come to review your progress, and shows you exactly what your dog responds to. The information you record is an instant tips sheet of what worked for your dog, along with areas that either need improvement or a completely different technique. And just like anything else in life, spending time planning increases the odds of doing things right more times than you get it wrong.
Making a plan is ideally where you need to begin when you start thinking about how to train a puppy, as it will make a big difference when relocating a young dog or puppy from his happy and playful home to his new and unrecognizable surroundings. A young pup can suffer separation anxiety when his mother and littermates suddenly disappear, and he finds himself in new and unfamiliar surroundings with a whole range of new and unknown faces and scents.
Even adult dogs are somewhat bewildered by seemingly needless alterations to their living environment. Regardless of their age, your new dog has no idea what awaits in his future; all he knows is that he is in a strange and somewhat frightening place.
Although it is not always possible, the perfect way to get to know your new family member is to visit him before he moves in with you. The benefit of taking this approach is that when you begin, tips for training a puppy he will already be used to you and better able to learn his new skills. Don’t worry if you can’t get to see your new puppy before he comes home - you could ask the old owner for something from the dog’s bed, like a blanket or toy of some kind or just something that will remind him of home and adjust to his new home.
Without doubt, the ideal time to bring home a new dog or puppy is any time when you’ll be able to spend a few full days at home with him. A summer vacation is perfect, but only if you can plan on being home for the summer. Don’t bring a new dog home and then pack him off to a boarding kennel while you take a three-week cruise. You need to have at least a couple of days at home, and help him overcome any separation anxiety he may experience.
As humans, we prepare, decorate and equip the home for a new baby by creating an environment to satisfy the baby’s needs and requirements, training a puppy should be no different. As a new dog carer, you need to prepare your home in just the same way. After all, your new puppy is a new member of the family.
A sectioned-off area in the kitchen or bathroom is the ideal place to start your puppy off, as this will help a lot come house training time as well because any accidents are easier to clean off hard floors. The kitchen is an especially suitable place as we tend to frequent these areas regularly, which helps prevent your new dog from getting lonely.
In his previous abode, your puppy had the friendship of his littermates. Loneliness could set in since leaving his littermates behind so you’re going to need to give him lots of love and attention to keep his blues away. Just don’t go spoiling him too much - he can’t be allowed to live by his own rules for his first few days in your home and then suddenly expect him to start following rules that prohibit him from doing exactly those same things. House train a puppy needs to start on day 1. The day you bring him home, start his training.
Being permissive in this respect is not being kind, simply because your rules aren’t consistent. Whatever works when you start training a puppy works in the just the same way when used with adult dogs too. Young puppies are not the only ones that may suffer from loneliness. When you bring a new dog home he or she will need to learn the rules from the start. All dogs need discipline and affection in equal amounts. But the rewards are more than worth it.
