10 tips to train puppies

For those who love animals, there is nothing that represents tenderness more than a small and fluffy puppy. However, it is important to know that even though puppies are adorable, fun, and the best companions we can have, raising them is not as easy as many might think. In fact, training puppies is something that entails a lot of work and, above all, a lot of responsibility.

Regardless of whether you buy your pet from a kennel or if you decide to  adopt it from a shelter , if you want your puppy to become a  well-behaved dog , you will need to invest time, but above all, have a lot of patience and a lot of love to give. However, if you don't give up, your effort will pay off. Remember that if you don't train your pet well, sooner rather than later he will become a  problem dog  that no one will want around, not even other animals.

To train puppies it is also important that you study the breed to which they belong. Remember that each race is different. Which means that what works for one dog may not work for another. Each type of puppy will need specific training so that it can develop properly. That is why it is essential that you educate yourself first.

If you want to train your dog, you must establish a good relationship with him. But it is not only about this. You must apply some techniques so that he really learns what you teach him. These are the best tips to achieve it.

1. Set clear rules from the start

It is important that you know that you must establish clear rules for your puppy from the first day he comes home. This way it will be easier for him to get used to them. But you should keep in mind that these rules should be easy to follow and understand. If you want him to only be in one area of ​​the house, set limits for him. These can be physical barriers.

It is also important that you do not contradict your own rules. Since, if you break them yourself, he will not understand that what he does is wrong. For example, if you don't want

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your pup to ask for food at the table or while eating something, never give him extra food from your bowl.

2. Accompany him to relieve himself while he gets used to it

The best thing for puppies is that they can relieve themselves outside. However, we know that it will not always be possible to take it outside. For this, the best ally is the newspaper. To train him to relieve himself there, you must spread the newspapers in the corner of the house that you have designated for it. Shortly after the puppy has eaten, take him to that area and accompany him until he relieves himself. And once he does, praise him several times.

3. Reward him for his good behavior

Training puppies without using rewards is quite difficult. The advantage is that most dogs react very well to food rewards. However, you also have to be careful with them because if they are 'candy', it could be harmful to your health. Therefore it is important that these rewards are small.

But there are also puppies that react better to toys. In these cases, you can reward your pet with a toy that it likes, such as a ball, a bone, a braid to tighten and loosen, among others. One downside is that toy rewards require more time. Also, the activity could get the pup overly excited and cause him to lose focus on training.

4. Make sure your pup knows you have a treat for him. 

Not all the time it is necessary for your puppy to know in advance that you are going to reward him for some good behavior. But when teaching him to sit or lie down, it's a good idea for him to see what you're going to give him. This is a way to encourage him to do what you ask. Also, he will learn that he will be rewarded when he follows orders.

5. Praise your pup verbally

But you shouldn't just reward your pup with food. You should also apply verbal praise when he does something well done. You must do it with a high-pitched and friendly voice. Keep in mind that all puppies have a good reaction when spoken to in a cheerful and loving tone. The tone of voice is important at all times. Therefore, you should also know that you have to use a stern voice when the puppy disobeys you. A key element of training is getting your puppy to differentiate between the voice that rewards him and the one that reprimands him.

Training Techniques

6. Create a daily routine to teach him tricks

Training puppies will be difficult if you don't establish a routine, especially for teaching him tricks. If this is your case, you should create a game routine with your pet for between 10 and 20 minutes a day. Once your puppy is comfortable, you can start teaching him simple tricks. It is important to have a lot of patience. Remember that it is very likely that you will not achieve anything the first few times. Try to include new and fun things in each of the sessions so that the dog does not get bored and neither do you.

7. Ignore it for several seconds after it bites you

Puppies tend to bite too much when they are playing. The problem is that they are not aware of how hard they can bite. It is important that you let him nibble on you, but you must set limits so that he learns to control himself. As? If it bites you hard you should complain. A little cry will suffice. Doing so will startle the puppy and stop biting you. But not only this, you should ignore it for a few seconds. About 20 will be enough. After that time you must resume the game. You must repeat the same cycle. In this way you will make it clear that as long as it is delicate you will continue playing. Otherwise you will stop.

8. Reprimand him verbally if he has chewed on something he shouldn't

Just as you should verbally praise him when he does something right, when he does a mischief beyond your accepted limits of play, you should reprimand him severely, but without mistreatment. You should never apply physical punishment. Especially because many times what they do wrong, they do it out of ignorance. For this reason you must rebuke him with words.

9. Do not call him to punish him

This is extremely important. If your puppy has been misbehaving, you should not call him out to punish him. It is you who must approach him to reprimand him. If you call him, he will associate that when he goes to you he will receive a punishment. This will make him mistrust your call and make him fearful.

10. Open the doors of the house

Once you have shown him where to relieve himself, you can allow him to see the whole house. It is best to open one door at a time and do so under supervision. This will ensure that it does not make a mess in any room. You can choose to put the leash on him during the scanning process to keep him out of trouble.

 How To Train Your Puppy

And as a last piece of advice: opt for the peace of mind of taking out  Pet Insurance , essential to fully enjoy the experience of training your puppy without worries.