Effective Puppy Training Techniques

When it comes to puppy training techniques the keyword is “fun.”  You can start training your puppy from about the age of 6 to 8 weeks, as long as you keep the training sessions short.  At this age your puppy has a very short attention span but he is quite capable of learning.

In fact, he’s very impressionable.  The things he learns at this age can stay with him all his life.  It’s up to you to make the lessons fun for your puppy so he will want to learn what you want to teach him.

Use Toys To Train Your Puppy

Most puppies go to their new homes around the age of 8 weeks and this is a good age to start training.  Some puppies respond very well to playing with toys as a training method.  For instance, you can use a toy to get your puppy to follow you and to come when called.  If your puppy is playing, wait until you are some distance away and wiggle your puppy’s favorite toy as you call his name.  Most puppies will come running to you at this age when they see the toy moving.  Follow up with lots of tummy rubs, petting and praise.

Use Treats To Train Your Puppy

As your puppy gets a little older he may be more food-motivated.  You can use his favorite treats for training, too.  It’s easy to teach a puppy to sit by holding a treat slightly over his head and moving it backwards. Your puppy will most likely raise his head to follow the treat and, at the same time, lower his bottom to the ground.  Voila!  Your puppy is sitting.  As soon as he sits you should give him the treat and tell him what a good puppy he is.  You can use this same method to teach your puppy to lie down or even to teach him to roll over.

Many different puppy training techniques will work as long as you make them fun for your puppy.  If you make your training sessions a game your puppy will learn and have fun.

Avoid Distractions

Keep in mind that puppies are easily distracted.  Try to train in an area that is free of distractions if possible.  Train in a secure, enclosed area, such as your living room or a fenced backyard.  This way if your puppy runs away from you at any point he or she won’t be in any danger.

Keep A Positive Attitude

Your own attitude toward training is very important.  You need to be upbeat and positive when you train your puppy.  Your puppy easily picks up on your emotions and they determine how he feels about training.  If you are grouchy or in a bad mood then your puppy will be unhappy and you won’t be able to accomplish anything positive in your training.  If you are in a bad mood then postpone your training to another time.

Keep Training Sessions Short

Since puppies do have short attention spans you should plan to have short training sessions.  If you spend just 10-15 minutes twice a day on training you will be able to make great progress with your puppy.  But you do need to be consistent with the training.  If you only train once a week your puppy probably won’t remember very much of what you teach him.  Short, regular training sessions with your puppy that your puppy thinks are fun will teach him much more than a marathon session once a week.

Don’t Be Harsh

The one no-no with your puppy is don’t be harsh.  Your puppy will remember any harsh or negative treatment.  Your puppy may need correction from time to time but do so firmly and gently.  There is never any reason to be rough with a puppy or any dog.

Be Creative

Go ahead and be creative with your puppy.  If you’re playing together and you see a chance to teach your puppy something, don’t be afraid to try it.  Puppies are learning all the time and anything can be a learning opportunity.  As long as you keep things fun, upbeat and positive, your puppy can learn what you want to teach him.