Top 5 Tips for Training Your New Puppy

Hi there, it's Fruzsina here, your certified dog trainer. I am here to tell you everything you need to know about how to train your puppy right from the beginning. The first few weeks of owning a puppy can be quite stressful but it's an exciting adventure you have chosen. Puppies are very curious, energetic beings who are eager to learn about you and the new world around them. Here's my top 5 tips to help you relieve some of that stress you're feeling and guide you on your way:

1. positive reinforcement

Rewarding your puppy for doing the right thing is an important foundation to building your bond with them. Grab some high-value treats and reinforce their behaviour by rewarding when you catch them doing something you like. Avoid punishing them for masking mistakes as this could make them scared and start to develop bonding issues.

Use healthy rewards like paté and 80%+ meat treats to incorporate into their feeding routine. Remember to not overfeed treats as this could cause issues when feeding them their meal if they have a full belly.

---

2. stay consistent

I always tell my clients that being consistent is the key to puppy training. Your puppy isn't going to learn everything straight away but if something is taught consistently using the same rewards and cue words, they will begin to understand and adhere to your rules. This builds trust between you and your puppy, as they can rely on you for support and guidance to know what to do in every environment. Furthermore, it's important to teach your family to use your training style so that puppy is getting the same training from everybody. This is a big mistake many make, leaving the puppy confused which makes them lose confidence in you.

---

3. Teach them to settle

An important skill to teach your puppy early on is how to settle. Puppies need around 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day and without it they start behaving badly, which is when you start to see unwanted behaviour like biting, jumping up and barking. To avoid this you need to create a safe place for them, for example a crate or their bed, in the social room of the house and guide them there for scheduled nap times. Routine helps puppies understand the world around them, and sets them up for success where they feel happy and confident.

---

4. be patient

Remember to stay patient when teaching them something new. Go slowly and don't skips training steps as this can leave them frustrated and uninterested if they don't succeed. Use positive reinforcement to reward during training, and keep sessions to a maximum of 10-15 minutes as a puppy will lose its patience after this time. Don't expect perfection overnight, dog training is a continuous development and should be done consistently and patiently to see results.

---

5. Puppy socialisation

Socialising your puppy can sound daunting but it's really as simple as exposing them to as many different sounds, people and environments as possible. Take them out on walks in different areas around your town and make it a positive experience every time by giving them treats. This will make your puppy less anxious in new environments as they will learn to know they can rely on you for help. Start in controlled areas like your house or garden, and slowly introduce new places like your street or park close-by and even more challenging places like your local town/café.

To round off, training your puppy doesn’t have to be stressful. By using these top tips you can set your puppy up for success and help them develop into a well behaved furry companion. Remember that consistency is key, and celebrating small wins will keep you and your puppy happy and motivated.

If you’re feeling stuck or need 1-2-1 advice, check out my Puppy Training Services to get more personalised help with your puppy training. Until then, keep those tails wagging!