Bringing a new puppy home is so exciting! They're so cute and cuddly and all you can think of is all the fun you will have together. You're probably not thinking about all of the work that goes into having a new puppy because you’re so preoccupied with playing with the new bundle of joy. But one of your first thoughts upon bringing home a new puppy is training them. Some people think the puppy will learn what he needs to know along the way as he gets older, but they are wrong! A puppy needs to be trained to not only be obedient but to be house broken and also controllable. And the earlier you can start them the better. Most pet supply stores offer obedience classes on the weekends, and that's the perfect place to get them started with training. They will learn commands such as stay, sit, lay down. All of which are commands that he needs to receive from you in order to be obedient. When training your new puppy he needs to see you as the "pack" leader, the head honcho. If not he'll assume he's the boss and then you've got a problem, especially if it is a large breed animal.
One of the most important things to teach your puppy is where to go potty. House breaking your puppy is the first thing he needs to learn from day one. He needs to learn how to be put on a leash and how to go outside to do his business. Take him out frequently and try to take him to the same area each time so that he can smell his scent and know that this is where you go to do your business. Watch and monitor your puppy's behavior, if he looks like he's looking for a place to go inside immediately put his leash on and take him out. Be diligent. If you see an accident about to occur say no in a commanding voice and immediately take him out so he can relieve himself. If an accident does occur do not hit him! Show him the spot and say no very sternly and then take him out to his spot so he can remember that this is where you go potty.
A part of puppy training is going to the vet or groomer. This needs to start early and happen on a regular basis. He needs to see these people as friendly and helpful and not as a punishment. Grooming is especially important for their health and well-being, and your puppy needs to learn that a bath can be enjoyable and that trimming his nails is a necessity. Your puppy can start going to the groomer as early as 2 months old even if it's just for a quick brush and bath and slight nail trim. And take them regularly unless you'll be doing these services for him, do them on a consistent basis so that your puppy learns this is just a regular occurrence.
Rewards. Reward your puppy when he does something good! Really love him up or maybe give him a treat and tell him what a good boy or girl they are. This will reinforce to them that what they did is good behavior. Do not reward bad behavior. If he's chewing your shoes don't allow him to continue chewing them. Say no in a commanding voice and take it away. If you don't want him to chew your personal items then make sure he has something he can chew, remember he's teething and he needs to chew, so have toys for him to chew at his leisure.
Keep in mind when you’re training your puppy that he learns everything through you, so love him as much as possible, reward good behavior and sometimes practice tough love especially if you want an obedient companion. What he learns as a puppy will carry through into adulthood, the good, the bad and the ugly. So be consistent, be diligent and from the start let him know you’re the boss. And have fun, training your puppy doesn’t have to be hard work. If he learns good behaviors now, then you’ll enjoy him more as he grows up.
