For some of us, training comes naturally and is a pleasant part of rearing a puppy. For others, it is a difficult concept to grasp and it does not come naturally. Luckily, most dogs are very amenable to training and there are tried and tested techniques that should be successful even in the hands of a total novice.
The Basics
All puppies should receive at least some basic training. Some breeds are naturally more ‘good-mannered’ than others and your dog’s genes will likely dictate how much and what type of training they need.
As ‘textbook’ as it sounds, it really is important to teach commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘paw’. This type of responsive training helps build your bond with your puppy and keeps their brain engaged.
Initially, say the command and then make your puppy perform the desired behaviour. So, say ‘sit’ in a firm voice and then put gentle pressure on your pup’s bottom until they sit. As soon as that bum touches the floor they get a ‘Well done, you!’, lots of fuss and a delicious treat. You’d be amazed at how quickly they cotton on when there is food involved. Stick to small but highly palatable treats like our range of Meaty Treats.
Can I train my puppy not to bark?
You would be surprised at just how often I am asked this question. Barking is a natural behaviour and it is how our canine friends communicate. However, nuisance barking can drive a real wedge between owner and dog. A ‘stop barking’ command is a useful one to have in your back pocket.
Somewhat surprisingly, the first step is to teach a ‘speak’ command. Wait until your dog is already barking, say ‘speak’ and give them lots of praise and a treat. They’ll think all of their Christmases have come at once! Repeat this until they understand that when you ask them to speak you want them to be vocal. Next, wait until the bark stops and issue a ‘Quiet!’ command. When they understand what has happened, issue the command during a bark. Once they are quiet, they get heavily rewarded. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
