Training your puppy is important for their safety and well-being, as well as for your sanity as a dog parent. But, when should you start training your puppy? In this blog post, I’ll discuss the best time to start training your puppy and some tips to make the process easier.
The Best Time to Start Training Your Puppy
It’s important to start training your puppy as early as possible. The best time to start training your puppy is between 7 and 14 weeks of age. This is known as the critical socialization period, during which your puppy is most receptive to learning new things and adapting to their environment.
During this period, your puppy is also learning how to interact with people and other animals. It’s important to use both positive reinforcement training techniques and clear boundaries with kindness during this period to build a strong foundation of trust and respect. Puppy training is not just about obedience and commands. Learning how to communicate with your body language, husbandry and bonding with your puppy is even more important than just teaching commands and obedience.
To learn more about how to set up boundaries with kindness using body language you can check out my free videos or sign up for my online course: https://pawmos.com/online-dog-training/
3 Training Tips for Puppies
1. Never chase your puppy. If you chase your puppy, she will pretty soon learn that running away from you gets rewarded with her favorite game: game of chase. Game of chase is far way more reinforcing than treats. If you keep running after your puppy even if it is because they’re getting in trouble you’re reinforcing the behavior of staying away from you.
2. Keep Training Sessions Short: Puppies have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep training sessions short and sweet. Aim for 10-15 minute sessions or less, several times a day.
3. Socialize your puppy with other puppies and with well behaved adult dogs. With other puppies they will learn how to play. With adult dogs they will learn boundaries and social cues.
Training your puppy is an important part of being a responsible dog parent or guardian. Starting early will help build a strong foundation of trust, respect and bonding. Remember to keep training sessions short, be kind and be patient. With time and patience, you’ll have a well-behaved and happy loyal friend for ever.
If you want to learn more about body language, husbandry and bonding you can check out my free videos or sign up for my online course: https://pawmos.com/online-dog-training/
© Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved April 2023