Tips for training a new puppy

SIL just got a new puppy. She never owned a puppy before. Any tips on training her? She's a bit nervous.

TIA!

Re: Tips for training a new puppy

I recommend crate training. I also recommend this book! GL to your SIL!

The Art of Raising a Puppy

Re: Tips for training a new puppy

I think one of the most inportant things is to teach the dog that jumping is not okay. A lot of people don't mind if a puppy jumps up on them , they pet them, which reinforces the dogs behavior. Sit is a great command for the dog to learn early on b/c they can have the dog sit before people come in the house and sit to be pet.

Re: Tips for training a new puppy

I will second the crate training. We have crate trained both of our dogs now and our mini schnauzer was housebroken within 4-6 weeks of getting him home. Our Airedale took a little longer 8-10 weeks but he LOVES his crate now. We just got him a larger one and he sleeps in it and will go in it randomly to nap... our mini uses it now too even though he was never a fan as a puppy. But the crate has saved us from housebreaking disasters. Puppies won't "go" where they sleep and are more likely to hold it for longer than they would if they had more options of where to go. I did try wee-wee pads at first with our mini but he shredded them and I just found it gross to have these pads around where tinkle/poo sat if we weren't home IF he used them which he rarely did. And if you have a puppy who eats their own poo, gross but it happens, there is no guarantee they'll leave it alone while they're home by themselves during the day.

Teaching a puppy to sit is really easy so that is something good to start with. Apply light pressure to their back right above their tail and say sit at the same time.

And then I would work on stay. Start off with a few seconds at a time and work your way up.

"Come" can be tough but not too bad if you do it on a LONG leash and use some training treats. They're small and low calories so you're not giving your pup a ton of food. This comes in handy if the pup is a runner.

Socialization is also important so she may want to consider signing up for puppy kindergarten classes.

Tips for training a new puppy

We also crate trained her and rewarded her for every time she went to the bathroom outside. We only had her in the crate maybe 2 weeks.

the first few weeks we had her, in the over nights we would wake up every couple of hours to take her outside.

then she would let us know when she wanted to go out by giving us a cry.

We also used doggie training bells which she rings to go out.

it will take some time to getting used to. It's hard to get up during those cold mornings to take her out but now that she is a year old she can hold it in until we all get up. It was all worth it.