There aren’t many things that are more fun than getting a puppy. The problem is, the puppy cuteness quickly wears off when he starts peeing in the house and chewing your shoes. It doesn’t have to be that way if you learn how to train your puppy right from the start. If you start out right, you will quickly end up with a confident, well mannored dog.

If you look around, you’ll see that there are dozens of conflicting views on how to train a puppy. No matter what you do, you should always follow a few guidelines when training a puppy. First, always remember that positive reinforcement is a must. Using negative reinforcement can have significant negative effects such as agression. The second keys to puppy training is consistency and patience.

The First Steps in Training

No matter what you are trying to, you need to remember to reward him when he does it right. Dog treats or physical affection are really good rewards. When training, always keep in mind that your puppy is young and will make mistakes. It will take time for your dog to understant that it is wrong to pee on the carpet.

Leash training, house traing and basic obedience are good areas to start with. These things will teach your dog some important things – primarily that you are the leader and he should submit to you. Short, consistent lessons will see the most progress.

If you don’t start your training off right, later on you may find yourself having to re-train bad habits out of your dog. Don’t take puppy training lightly, it is a serious commitment. Just be patient and keep trying. You dog will eventually get the message.

One More Thing to Train your Puppy

Most people agree that crate training is very beneficial if you think your dog will be staying by himself often. Crates can be a place of safety and comfort for your dog. Since dogs are den animals, a crate makes him feel secure. Many owners start crate training while they are working to housetrain the dog.

To train your puppy that his crate is his “den”, there are a few tricks. Try placing some treats in there and let him find them. You should never make him go into the crate when he doesn’t want to. Don’t do anything to make your puppy think that the crate is an unfun place to be.

A Few More Tips on House Training

Getting your puppy potty trained is very important. Taking your puppy outside often and giving him lots of praise when he does the right thing is important. Punishment for not going outside isn’t the right way to do it. Walk around outside with your dog and don’t come back inside until he has done his business. After the business is done, give praise and treats.

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