Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home? Congratulations! It’s probably safe to say that you’re in for a lot of adorable moments over the next year. You’ve also got quite a bit of pet parenting in your future! Little Fido has a lot to learn about the world, and about the do’s and don’ts of being a good boy. A Dolton, IL vet offers some advice on training your furry friend below.
Start Immediately
It’s never too soon to start little Fido’s education. Housebreaking, crate training, and obedience lessons should all start right away. These things actually all work well together!
Have A Set Schedule
Our canine pals tend to do much better when they’re kept on a set schedule. Try to have Fido’s classes at the same time every day.
Consider Your Curriculum
The main commands that every pooch should know are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. You may also find it useful to teach your furry pal the commands for Down and Leave It. Work on one thing at a time, and don’t move on until you’re sure little Fido has mastered each command.
Keep It Fun
Training should always be a positive experience for your canine buddy. Only work with your pet when you’re in a good mood. Dogs are very intuitive, and they can easily pick up on their humans’ emotions. You don’t want little Fido to form a bad association with his training! Also, never punish your puppy for doing something wrong, or not picking things up quickly. Positive reinforcement is the way to go.
Offer Rewards
Little Fido probably won’t be very impressed with a gold star. And if you give him a report card with an A on it, he’ll probably either try to eat it or just tilt his head and give you a super cute quizzical look. What will get that tail going? Treats! Use small portions for training: you don’t want to overfeed your adorable student.
Be Consistent
This is a big one! Always use the same words or phrases. Otherwise, you might confuse the little guy.
Don’t Stop
Little Fido’s education doesn’t have to stop once he’s mastered the basics. Many dogs love learning new things! Move on to advanced training, or show your pooch some cute tricks.
As your Dolton, IL animal clinic, we’re here to help! Contact us anytime!