top of page
Writer's picturestephanie pope

Dog Training: Puppy Basics

Updated: Sep 25


Girl trains her husky puppy to sit

Puppy training and socialization are among the most basic needs of your pets. If you are going to train a dog for the first time, this experience can be a little overwhelming for you. Training your dog can also be a tiresome process, especially if you are a new pet parent and have a job. However, we will get you started with the basics and give you a couple ideas on how to keep your pup on the right track! Follow these simple steps to train your puppy efficiently.


Steps for Dog Training:

You can follow these simple steps to train your new dog or puppy to follow your commands.


Start with the Basics

You must start acclimatizing your dog with love and patience for the initial training. The training process must start with the basic commands. You can take help from an obedience program if you are completely inexperienced. Dog obedience programs build the foundation of the relationship between you and your pet. Your dog learns to recognize your voice and commands, then learns to apply them slowly.


Use Games to Train

woman playing fetch with her dog can help strengthen the bond between them

Training must be a fun experience for both you and your pets. Dogs are very active and highly cognitive creatures. They learn new skills easily. So, you can help your dog learn commands by even playing fetch with you! This way you both can enjoy the activity and they can learn basic commands using games. Simple words like come, drop it, and fetch can be learned in a positive way with games.


Other great commands of dog training include sit, down, stay and leave it. Several games can strengthen the bond between you and your pet. These games include tug of war, following the prey, hide, and seeking, fetching the ball, etc. Choose any game you like to play with your dog, keeping in mind the physical condition and interest of your pet.

Dog catching treats for positive reinforcement

Provide Positive Reinforcement

Every organism seeks appreciation for its achievements. The best way to improve obedience is to provide positive reinforcements in dog training as appreciation. This appreciation can be verbal, or it can be as treats that you can provide to your pets. Dogs struggle a lot to make a good bond with their owners, so if your dog is a slow learner, try to keep a low pace for better bonding.


Don't Rush the Process

Every dog has a different nature. Some dogs are more active and friendly than others. They can take lesser time to grasp things. However, other dogs are shy and take more time to open up with their new owners. This is true for some pets who were adopted and experienced a harder life in their previous years. You must understand the nature of your pet before you train them.


If your dog is shy, do not force it to socialize and play. Let it acclimatize to the new environment. Do not rush the process of training, as it can make your dog stubborn and aggressive.


Socialization is Key

dogs playing in a group for socialization skills

Socialization is the best way to deal with behavioral problems in dogs. Some dogs become anxious around people. Some of them fear traveling and walking around in public. The best way to train your pet is to take him out for a walk. Doing fun activities together will help you bond with your pet. Socialization also teaches your pet how to behave in public.


More experienced dogs can also teach young dogs how to behave. They can also teach pack hierarchy. It can be helpful for your pup to learn things from other dogs. Letting them play with others is one of the best ways to help your pup understand the world of social interaction.


Types of Dog Training

We mainly divided dog training into two types. One is the basic level training. In this training, the dog learns to understand the commands of its owner. This training includes basic commands like sit, stay, run, etc. However, in advanced level training, the dogs learn to perform different activities. Such as the Police hounds learn to smell and differentiate distinct scents. Similarly, there are companion dogs for patients with psychological problems like epilepsy or dementia.


House Training

House training is essential training for pets so that they eliminate their waste in your presence and you can manage it in a better way. Many dogs are shy. They are more likely to eliminate their waste in a desolate area. However, it is not necessarily difficult to train your puppies for this purpose. You can take your puppy outside and allow them to urinate or defecate once you return home. In this way, they will eventually become habitual of urinating after they return home.


Urination Training

All carnivores have this instinct to urinate at their place. This behavior is natural in these animals as it is a method of marking the territory. Cats and dogs urinate in their space to mark their territory with their urine scent. However, this behavior is unpleasant for owners.

  • Cats: You can train your cat to urinate in the litter box. This training needs to start at a very young age. They can naturally become accustomed to the clay in a litter box. They realize that is the location where to potty and can even learn to cover up their mess! Some cats can do this by watching other cats.

  • Dogs: you can note the frequency of urination of your pet and take them outside at the right time. Only a few weeks of this training will help you develop the habit of your pets. This helps the pup associate relief with outside instead of where ever he wants to go.

Golden Retriever service dog sitting

Care Training

A dog with advanced training for the management of patients can be very helpful. This training might be a new concept for some people and may need a trainer to help teach the pup.


Many well-trained pets that can manage emergency conditions in patients with different diseases. Some dogs are trained to recognize epilepsy and seizures in their owners and inform others if they are alone with their owners in case of emergency. This training helps to prevent any unfortunate event in case of emergency.


Leash Training

puppy learning leash training

Teaching your pup from an early age is the best way to leash train. They learn that there is a limit to how far they can get from the owner. A leash is a safety tool that can protect your pet and the surrounding people. Besides, most places require leashes, so its best to add this to your basic training.


Some dogs dislike being on the leash and may need additional training from a professional on how to behave while leashed. Especially if your pet is aggressive and dislikes being in public. Some pets have behavioral problems, and they bark or bite when under stress. If you notice your pup becoming aggressive on the leash, please reach out to a trainer that encourages positive reinforcement.


More Ways to Help

Trainers

If you are in need of more guidance, we recommend A-Z Dogs in Charlotte, NC! They offer great puppy training classes, private coaching and board and trains. They specialize in pups who are a little more challenging to train and always provide positive reinforcement.


Dog trainers specialize in canine behavior and can help your pup become the best they can be! It is also a helpful option if you are a busy pet parent or your experiencing some issues while training yourself.


Acupressure

Even acupressure can help your pup during training! Acupressure works with the animal holistically and can help the pup stay focused, calm, and even help them remember what they have learned during training! We recommend pairing acupressure sessions during your pups training for this reason! Just like how acupuncture can help people experiencing dementia or Alzheimer's, the acupressure points can help the mind and body remember and ease any frustration during training.


You can book a session before your first training to help encourage your pup to remember and stay focused during their training! It is best to continue to use acupressure throughout the training. It's also a great way to keep your pup happy and healthy throughout their life!! Using acupressure as preventative care can help you avoid vet expenses!


What ever you decide, we hope your training adventure is a fun filled one! Training can take time and patience, but it can also be fun for both you and your pup!


puppy training with a tennis ball
51 views1 comment

Recent Posts

See All

1 Comment


jatak31006
Sep 25

Training a puppy requires patience and consistency, and your breakdown of the basics is very helpful! Establishing a routine and using positive reinforcement is essential to establishing good habits early on. For those who want to dive deeper into tips for interacting with your pets, doggs.life provides additional resources on effective methods and how to tailor training to your dog’s unique personality. It’s always good to have a variety of approaches, especially when working with young, energetic puppies. You’ve shared some great ideas here!

Like
bottom of page