Advice on how to train your puppy from Barking Mad

Puppy Angus is just adorable!

So, you’ve reached the long anticipated day when you finally get to bring your precious, fluffy bundle home but you may be wondering how to start training your puppy.  You’re all prepared with everything a young pup will need and are so excited that this gorgeous canine will become part of your family but now what? Don’t worry, we’re here to help by providing our top puppy training tips.

1. Spend time researching how to train your puppy

There are lots of great resources out there to help you with puppy training. It’s a good idea to spend time researching all the best advice before you bring your puppy home. Organisations such as the RSPCA and the Blue Cross offer a wealth of impartial advice and knowledge. It is also a good idea to have a chat with the vet you intend to register your puppy with, as they will often be able to advise on the best puppy parties and training classes which are held in your local area.

2. Start puppy training as soon as possible

One of the reasons to carefully choose a reputable breeder is that they will start your puppy’s early training before the age of eight weeks. They should have begun to introduce your puppy to new people and situations in a positive way, as well as starting to introduce the idea of toilet training. Once you get your puppy home, it’s up to you to continue the good work as soon as possible. The sooner you introduce good habits, the better it will be for both you and your puppy, as they begin to learn basic commands and start to understand the rules of their new home.

3. Establish clear ‘house rules’

It is vital to establish a clear and consistent routine as well as sticking to the same ‘house rules’. This will help your puppy to feel safe and secure and avoid any confusion for them. The RSPCA advises that you should, ‘reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour’. Use reward based training and try your very best to make all your pup’s experiences positive.

4. Training sessions should be short but lots of fun

Don’t expect your young puppy to take in too much all at once. Lots of fun short training sessions are far more effective than a long intensive one. For example, when teaching your puppy their new name, use it every time you play, feed or cuddle them.

5. Stick to a good routine for house training

House or toilet training needs to begin once you take your puppy home. You should begin by showing your pup where you would like them to toilet e.g in your garden or enclosed outside space. If you stick to a good routine, house training should be relatively simple as dogs naturally want to toilet away from the area in which they are living. You should take your puppy outside when you first wake up, last thing at night and on a very regular basis during the day and use lots of praise when they get it right. You should not shout at them if they have an accident.

If newspaper or puppy pads are used overnight, save a soiled one and pop it in the area chosen as the smell will help encourage your puppy to toilet there. Allowing your dog to sniff and walk up and down will also help.

Alison with her puppy Womble

6. If you use a crate for your puppy, make it a comfortable safe haven

Using a crate for appropriate periods of time can help with achieving important goals with your puppy such as house training, preventing destructive behaviour and getting them to relax and settle down. Crates can give dogs a sense of security if used in the correct way, with positive reinforcement and a gentle, gradual introduction. By ensuring your puppy’s crate is the correct size and a happy place for them, it can become a comfortable, safe haven.

7. Socialisation is really important

Socialising your puppy is important to allow them to grow into a happy and confident adult dog. A great way to socialise your puppy, in a fun and friendly environment, is to attend a puppy party. These are often organised by your local vet and allow similarly aged pups to get together for fun and games. New skills such as reading the body language of other canines and learning good manners are very important. Puppy parties need to be run by experienced dog trainers or veterinary nurses in order to ensure a positive experience for all attendees to boost their confidence.

8. Choose the right puppy training class

Once your puppy has had all their vaccinations they can progress from puppy parties to training classes. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers in the UK was founded in 1995 to offer pet dog owners a guarantee of quality when looking for a local puppy or dog training class. Members are assessed according to a strict criteria which ensures they have appropriate skills to teach dog training. They are required to keep their education up to date, and adhere to a Code of Practice. If any member is found to be in contravention of this Code then their membership is withdrawn. We recommend always choosing a class run by a member, as they promote gentle and motivational methods of dog training.

9. Practice leaving your puppy alone for short periods

Learning to be left alone is an important part of puppy training. This will help to prevent separation anxiety. The RSPCA offers great advice on training your dog to be left alone here.

10. Have fun with your puppy

Puppyhood is a very special but all too short time! You should make the most of this precious time and enjoy your puppy. Puppy training doesn’t just improve manners, it is a rewarding and fun way to interact with your new best friend and really helps to strengthen the bond between dog and owner. Most dogs love training as it is a chance for them to earn rewards, praise and attention, whilst also challenging their brains.

Our office dog Paddy as a puppy

We love puppies at Barking Mad Dog Care!

As long as your puppy has had all of their vaccinations and made progress with their house training, we will be happy to consider placing them with one of our experienced host families if you have to go away. Every puppy is different and we would need to make sure that we have suitable host availability for your chosen dates. With this in mind, we would recommend that you don’t leave registering your puppy with Barking Mad’s dog sitting service until the last minute. Why not find your local branch and have a chat to them about your gorgeous furry friend today?