Puppy Training

A new puppy can be an exciting addition to any household.  Training the puppy is extremely vital, if not challenging, and is most effective when started at a very young age. When training a puppy, it is important to concentrate efforts in the following areas:

Biting and Chewing

This is a common activity among young dogs. Puppies bite and chew at their siblings, and then transfer this behavior to people and other items. Puppies must be trained while they are young that it is inappropriate to bite or chew people or items other than dog toys. By not teaching your puppy this important fact, it will become increasingly difficult to get them to control this behavior once they are grown. Just remember that while a puppy biting at your hand may be harmless and cute, that same behavior could be dangerous, or even deadly, in an adult dog.

Curb the Reflex

One way to help is to permit your puppy to play with other puppies and socialized adult dogs. Because other dogs will respond to biting, this activity will give your puppy the freedom to play and bite with other dogs, and will teach them that there consequences and implications of its own behavior. In this given situation, the puppy will eventually learn to control its bite reflex.

Benefits of Socializing

Permitting your puppy to play with other puppies and socialized adult dogs will provide multiple benefits. Your puppy will also expend its excess energy by playing with other dogs, helping it become better equipped to behave in the company of other animals and humans. Proper socialization will help your puppy grower into a less destructive and otherwise problematic adult dog. It will also help to enable your puppy to grow to an adult dog that is capable of acclimating well to new surroundings and different situations. The opposite can result in a fearful and disobedient adult dog.

Dogs are capable of growing to distinguish children from adults in the same way that they can recognize their master from other people. Because of this, it is very important to familiarize your puppy with different people in different situations.

Trust in Training

Trust is an effective technique to be used while training your puppy. A dog's trust in its master is the foundation on which it can be taught to follow commands and to display appropriate behavior. Physical punishment and violence towards a puppy is not to be used as a training mechanism under any circumstances. This will most merely cause the dog to distrust and fear you. Unpredictable behavior will merely confuse your puppy.

Training your puppy to control its biting and chewing reflex is an important aspect of helping it grow into a happy and well-adjusted adult dog. The techniques you use to train your puppy should be just a part of a more extensive program that is founded on respect and an understanding of its needs coupled with consistent, positive and affectionate, yet firm behavior on your part.