House training a puppy isn’t easy, especially when you are a first-timer! However, disciplining a dog can pay off in the long run by strengthening a healthy bond between you and your furry friend. A trained dog that listens to you and follows orders is a good dog. The basis of training should be predicated on positive reinforcement. A reward for good behavior is like a paycheck you receive every month. Training a puppy by positive reinforcement will allow him/her to follow instructions and obey you continually. However, punishment will do the complete opposite. Making a dog understand his mistake will prevent him/her from repeating it, whereas punishment will leave him/her baffled and confused. Sometimes bad behavior may ensue from this. Consistent repetition of training patterns is immeasurably crucial in controlling a pet’s behavior and attitude.
Steps for House-training Your Puppy
It is recommended that you confine your puppy to one area, whether on a leash, in a room, or a cradle while they’re little. As your puppy learns that he needs to go outside to do his business, you can slowly give him more freedom to roam around the house. Not only will this help strengthen your dog’s understanding power, but it will as make him less of a worry and more of a playful companion.
When you start the house-training process, follow these steps:
• Place the dog on a consistent feeding schedule and take away all unnecessary meals in between.
• Take your puppy to the same spot every day to do his morning business. This will train him to never dirty the house or backyard.
• Stay with your dog outside, at least until he’s house trained. This will keep him calm, disciplined, and mature.
• Gratification is key when training your dog. Praise him and give him a treat once he’s done with the potty. A walk around the park or neighborhood is also pretty rewarding for dogs.
• Teach your dog to sit and stay. By using word associations with “sit” and “stay,” teaching a puppy to stay still and move around is the perfect start to good behavior and mutual understanding.
• You want to teach your puppy to come to you at a single command. Using a treat or rubbing behind his/her ear may show reward, once it obeys you.
Diet & Exercise
Keeping a check on your dog’s diet and exercise is not enough. Maintaining a regular schedule that not only balances your pet’s intake of macronutrients but also specially allocates specific portion sizes is highly recommended. Regular exercise is equally important for your puppy. By exercising your pet on a daily/routinely basis, you are not only encouraging holistic living but also nurturing healthy habits that play a pivotal role in his behavior and mental conditioning. Diet and exercise go hand in hand.
Training a puppy isn’t as easy as it may seem at times. But with proper care, consistency, and resolution, the returns and rewards are numerous. Consistency is truly the key when training a puppy because you can only reinforce a habit through repetition and continual practice!
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