Puppy Training Basics 

How To Train the New Puppy

 Puppy Training Basics 
 Taking home a new puppy is always a thrilling time for the whole family. But the right start with proper training is central to making that puppy a valued member of his human family.  There are a number of puppy training talents that every new puppy must master, including going up and down the stairs, and how to accept a new collar as if she’s worn it her entire life.

Puppy Training: When is the best time?  
 The best time for puppy training is to introduce a new puppy to the household when everyone in the family is present, and when the household is as calm as possible.  That is why animal care experts do not encourage parents from giving puppies and kittens as holiday presents.  The holiday season is classically too busy, with far too many distractions, for a young puppy or kitten to get the attention it needs.  It is best to wait until the holidays have passed before bringing home the new family member.

Puppy Training: The Fearful Stairs 
When the puppy is part of the household, there are some things he or she will need to learn as part of her puppy training routine. One of the first challenges of a multi-story home will be learning to climb up and down the stair.  Many puppies are afraid of stairs, and that generally means that they do not know how to climb them correctly.  It is vital for the puppy’s owner to slowly build the confidence of the dog, starting off at the bottom of the stairs.  Normally, a wide stairway will maybe be less startling to the puppy.

In order to build confidence, the owner should go up the first step, and then persuade the puppy to join them, using their voice, treats or a toy.  After the puppy has joined you on the first stair, go back down and repeat the process until the puppy will go up that step on his own.  It is essential to build confidence slowly and not rush the process.  Taking a one step at a time approach is the best way to teach the puppy to not be fearful of stairs.

Puppy Training: Dog CollarTraining is a must   
Another thing that every new puppy must learn, puppy training, is to accept the collar.  Learning to wear a collar is vital to every dog, but many puppies are bewildered, frightened and perplexed by this new piece of equipment.  Many puppies persistently try to remove their new collar by pawing and pulling at it.

Fit is essential when choosing a collar for your new puppy.  A properly fitted collar, chosen for your puppy’s size, is more likely to be at ease and accepted.  While choke collars slip collars and training collars can be good training aids, they should never be used as a replacement for a sturdy buckle type collar.  And of course that collar should have an identification tag and license attached.  This ID will be very important in having your puppy returned if she becomes estranged from you.

The best way to initiate the puppy to the collar is to simply put the collar on and allow her to squirm, jump, roll and paw at the color to her heart’s content.  It is essential to not encourage this behavior by trying to soothe the puppy, but it is just as essential not to punish or chastise the puppy.  The best strategy is to simply ignore the puppy and them her work through her issues with the collar on her own.  Introducing distractions, such as food, toys or playing, is a good way to get the puppy used to the color.  Getting the puppy to play, eat and drink while wearing the collar is a great way to get her used to it.  After a few days, most puppies will not even be aware of the collar.