We have all heard the saying ‘you can’t teach old dogs new tricks’- which is something we do not believe in, as you can train a dog at any age! But, that is not to say you should put off training your dog, as it is always best to start training sooner rather than later. If you have a puppy, getting them started with the basics will make your life much easier in the long run as they progress to adult dogs.
Formal training classes at Sit Means Sit Northwest Arkansas can begin with pups as young as 8 weeks of age, and can be done until they reach 6 months old. You can start training before that at home, just always go slow and be very patient because your young puppy is learning a whole new language!
There are two key things that will help with potty training: consistency and positive reinforcement.
Consistency is always needed when training dogs, if you change things up it will confuse them and can unravel what you have previously taught them. This is especially true for puppies, they need to have a set schedule of when they eat, rest, and go to the bathroom, as they need to understand that each must be done in certain places or at specific times.
Positive reinforcement is useful to show your pup that what they did was a desired behavior, it encourages them to repeat it in similar situations, which then leads to a good habit.
Keep in mind that every puppy grows and matures at different rates. So even if your pup seems to be falling behind, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong they just may need more specialized training- at Sit Means Sit we take pride in our results with our Jumpstart Puppy Program.
Getting your pup and yourself on a schedule will make training a much smoother process, and the more you repeat it the more it will become a habit.
Start by getting them on a regular feeding schedule, most pups will require 3 meals a day when they are growing. On top of that, encourage them to go to the bathroom outside immediately after food, they will connect that after food it is potty time. These 2 simple steps will get you a pup that has started potty training!
Another tool for establishing a schedule is use of a crate for during the work day and overnighting. Your pup should think of their crate as their own personal comfort zone, they should have toys and blankets/padding. When used properly, they will be able to rest and unwind when you are not able to engage them, like during work or at night.
It is our belief that negative reinforcement will never get you the results that positive will. A simple way to think about it- how does your pup react when you say ‘Good boy/girl’ versus ‘No, bad dog’, they will almost always prefer the first option! The aim is to show them when they have done well or at least shown improvement, because it encourages them to do so again for further praise.
How you praise them can vary because all dogs have different motivations. For some it means you bring a treat pouch, or their favorite chew toy, or just some good pets and verbal praise- whatever motivates them to do and be their best.
Your puppy will get distracted, and that is okay, they are learning about life and there is so much to explore in their mind. However, it is extremely important that they are still able to listen to you, because it can end up being a safety risk if they do not know when to focus.
Teaching your pup how to make eye contact with you is a great start, as it will typically bring them back to what you were previously focused on. Every time you are able to get them to redirect in a more positive way, give them praise- a treat or petting, let them know that they should keep doing it!
By training your dog you are aiming to improve communication between you and them, because communication is vital to prevent misunderstandings! If your pup knows from an early age that they should not pull on the leash or go potty inside, it will make your life a lot easier in the long run if you need not worry about them happening.
We may make puppy training sound like it is a walk in the park, because we do it every day, but we understand it can very trying for owners and puppies alike. Just know that it doesn’t have to be, reach out to us and we will be happy to get you set up for a free training consultation!
Nearly all of us have our own daily routine that we follow, typically involving eat, sleep, work, repeat- your puppy benefits from something quite similar! By getting into a daily routine they will get used to things like your work schedule, and not having as much separation anxiety since they will know that you will return for them.
Using crate training they will learn that nighttime is for sleep, and having their own safe space will give them great comfort too. It is also recommended to add in some good manners for them to learn to repeat, like sitting before they get their food or waiting to go outside until permitted.
The last thing to really keep in mind- it will take some time, where one puppy learns within a week, for another it may take several months, just be patient and good things will come. If you are still at your wits end- just don’t take it out on the pup, take a step back, and give us a call- we are here to help!
The big ones are being consistent and keeping it positive- start with those and you can get pretty far! Start with basic skills and work up, you should not expect a young pup to excel at loose leash walking- that takes time. Please avoid negative reinforcement, including but not limited to: the use of choke or prong collars, or physical punishment.
We understand that there are many classes offered, including Youtube videos, just be aware that not all training is the same so practice scrutiny when deciding what to do for your pup. At Sit Means Sit Northwest Arkansas we have a great record of not only starting your puppy training journey, but also seeing it through to ensure you have a well mannered dog for the years to come. If you come in for a free consultation we can meet your pup as well as understand your training goals, then you can determine in-person if we are a good fit for you and your pup before moving forward with training!
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