Top 7 Puppy Training tips.

So you have got a puppy! How exciting!

But you need to know how to train it... this is where I can help!

Here are my top 7 puppy tips!

1. Find the right reward

Some dogs are highly motivated by food and will respond positively to any form of edible incentive. Some are pickier; they frequently like soft, chewy foods over crunchy ones.

Yet, other dogs just have no interest in food at all. If your dog is experiencing this, try trying with other rewards, such as a brief game of with a favourite toy or even just plenty of love.

2. Consistency is key.

Being consistent in your training is incredibly important. This includes consistency in how you’re training your do for example, always using the same word, and even the same kind of body language, when asking them to do something.

Also it is important is for everyone in your household to be on the same page. Dogs need consistency to learn new habits, so if you never let the dog on the sofa, but your partner does, your puppy will end up confused.

3. Train little, but often

Far more effective than lengthier training sessions are short ones that are repeated throughout the day. The American Kennel Club advises confining sessions to a maximum of five minutes; if you go over that, your dog can get distracted or impatient.

It's helpful to repeat your training sessions in various locations, with different people, and with varying levels of distraction so that your dog learns to respond correctly to the same command all the time. Dogs frequently struggle to generalise commands to other places or situations (for example, understanding that asking for a "sit" at home is the same thing as asking for a "sit" on a busy street).

4. Invest in a Puppy Training book

This is a very good idea if you want your puppy to grow up into a kind, loving, well trained dog...

I would recommend getting this one .

5. Increase gradually.

Beginning small can be beneficial, especially when it comes to more complex actions like "stay," or when you're trying to change a behaviour (such as an unpleasant one).

Consider dissecting behaviours into smaller components. For instance, if you're teaching your dog to "come," praise and reward them whenever they simply take a single step in your direction. After your dog begins to understand the activity, it will be much simpler to add additional steps and develop the entire habit.

6. Make it enjoyable.

Both you and your dog should enjoy training! Always remain positive, and experiment with variety to keep things interesting, such as adding brief breaks for play into your workouts in between repetitions.

In addition to normal obedience training, you can think about teaching your dog tricks. When we see a dog turn over rather than just sit, we naturally react more positively as humans. Our dogs take up on this positivity and end up enjoying performing tricks for us.

7. Attend a lesson or consult a dog trainer.

If you're having trouble, don't be afraid to get in touch with a qualified dog trainer or sign up for a class. Professional trainers may assist you and your dog by using their years of experience and are typically one of the fastest ways to see results. They will have dealt with a wide range of situations during their careers, so they should have suggestions for how to handle any troubles you may be having.

Spend some time researching your options before picking a trainer. Make sure they employ constructive criticism, and if you can, seek references or read a lot of reviews.