When Is The Best Time to Start Training Your Puppy?
It can be difficult to know when the best time to start training your puppy should be if you are new to ownership. When you bring home your puppy, you take on the responsibility of being their leader and teaching them everything they need to know.
It's common to envision a joyous life with your new puppy, who you can play with and take out with you. However, there are steps that you must take to get your puppy on the right track and have the life with them that you have always dreamed of.
It is completely normal for your new puppy to be chewing things, nipping, barking, jumping around, and having potty accidents. But if you want to nip these pup behaviors in the bud, then you must do it soon, as puppies develop and grow very quickly. As you bring your puppy home and into their new environment, you must start incorporating the habits and routines that you want them to pick up. If you don't start training them at the right time, it will only get harder as they get older. The first 12 weeks of your puppy's life are paramount. This is where they are most receptive to learning things.
With a plethora of things to think about, it can be difficult to know when the best time to start training your puppy is. You want to be able to enjoy your time with them in this playful phase, but you also need to teach them some good manners. This will ensure you can take them out, and that they are safe around others. Not to mention it will save a lot of mess when they are potty trained! There are many benefits to training your puppy at the right time, with the right trainer.
When is the right time to start puppy training?
Training your puppy can be done in different phases, including some basic training at home, and then more advanced training in a professional puppy or dog class.
Puppy training at home can start earlier than the time you can attend local puppy classes. This is because your puppy will need to have the relevant vaccinations and basic training commands under control before it can attend. Between weeks 8-10, you should work on training your puppy at home. Then you can consider professional puppy training classes.
When should you start training your puppy at home?
When you first bring your puppy home, you must start straight away with the daily schedule that you would like them to learn. If you can complete the same tasks at the same time every day, such as food and walks, your puppy will quickly learn what to expect from you.
General handling training is important. This includes small things such as rubbing their paws and their ears at the same time as giving them a small reward. This will help them get used to being handled by people, and come in handy when you have to visit the vets. You should also start with basic cues such as sit, stay and come here.
Puppy training at home should also include the following:
potty training
crate training
name recognition
socializing with friends and family
redirect chewing and nipping behaviors
Puppies aren't usually allowed outside until they have had their full vaccinations, but you can still start training them with the leash inside the house. Start with the collar for small amounts of time, then add the leash.
When should you attend puppy training classes?
When your puppy has had its vaccinations and basic training as above, it will be ready to attend puppy training classes. Puppies can go anytime, and there are even classes available for older dogs.
When your puppy attends a class, it will learn plenty of important things. There are a variety of puppy training classes available that focus on different lessons. Some of these may include obedience training, socialization, handling, and more.
Obedience
Obedience is a key skill that is taught in puppy classes. There is usually a range of basic commands that your puppy will learn to respond to, such as their name, sit, stop, down, leave, heel, and more.
Socialization
Your puppy will be introduced to new people, puppies, smells, sounds and sights. They may also be introduced to a range of other obstacles and items that will help them become more confident and learn how to act around people and puppies.
Handling
Puppies need to learn how to be handled, and owners need to learn how to handle their puppies correctly. The point of this component of puppy training classes is to help prevent your puppy from biting people or other puppies and make interactions much easier.
Training doesn’t have to stop there. If you wish, you can even go on to training your dog for programs such as the Canine Good Citizen test and more advanced training as they get older.
Training your puppy the right things at the right time is vital to their development and enjoyable life together.