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How to Train a Puppy

Dogs have always been one of my favorite animals. They are very friendly and are very good company for human beings. They are also quite eager to please their owners and this makes their training easy. However, the process of training takes time and most often lasts a lifetime. When I got my first pet, a puppy, I was so excited to go home with my new friend and playmate. Little did I realize that it would be quite a process before I could get him adequately trained to be around the house with me and also how to interact with other people. In this paper I am going to describe in detail the process of training a dog which is an involving, insightful and most of all, a very fun experience. It has taught me to be responsible and has given me a well behaved pet that has become a part of our family.

The first training that I went through with my puppy was house training. To do this, I had to be very patient, consistent and to reward him when he did the right thing. The first step in house training is supervision. The puppy should be kept in one part of the house and this means closing doors to other rooms so that he stays in one place. Setting a routine is also important. Feeding times and taking them outside for a walk and a potty break should be at the same time every day. Accidents are bound to happen hence the puppy should not be punished for eliminating indoors (Flint, p.20). When the dog goes in the right place, make sure to give them a treat so that the positive behavior is reinforced.

When starting training, it is important not to set expectations too high. Start with a positive attitude as this will influence the puppy’s confidence and ability. If you are angry, the puppy will be afraid of you. Dogs have their own temperament as well, and this should be taken into account when training. Rewards are an important part of training in order to reinforce the desired behavior. High value treats can be used when learning new and difficult commands (Cutler, et al p.1419). Training should be done on an empty stomach so that the puppy is focused on achieving the task in order to get the treat.

The Come Command

This command is used to call your puppy to you and it can save their lives if they run off when loose. This training can be started indoors or within a fenced yard so that the puppy is not distracted. Begin by catching the puppy’s attention using a toy, high pitched noise, a clap or simply opening your arms. Since dogs like o chase, you can run a short distance away from him then stop and he will come running. When the dog is at your side, give him praise and a treat for a job well done. When he realizes that he will get a reward for doing this, add the verbal command ‘come’ and when he responds to this give additional reinforcement.

As the puppy gets the hang of it, the training can be moved to a more public place with more distractions. If training began with a short leash, you can increase the length of the leash. Afterwards the leash can be removed when you are sure the puppy will not run off. This command is a very important one and the reward given should be extravagant. Make sure to net get upset if the puppy runs off the first times as they will associate the command with anger (Flint, p.20). Reinforce the command throughout the puppy’s life, for example you should keep treats in your pocket when taking a walk. Keep it fun, the puppy should not see the command as the end of fun time. Set them free to play again.

The Sit Command

The sit command is also one of the most important commands your puppy will have to learn. Begin by getting the puppy in a standing position. Stand in front of him and make sure he sees the treat in your hand. Hold it in front of his nose so he can smell it then raise it above his head. This will put him in a sitting position so he can get a better view. Every time he sits, give him the treat and make sure to praise him to reinforce the behavior. If he does not sit on his own, a leash and collar can be used. Do this by standing next to the dog and applying a bit of pressure on the collar to get him in a sitting position. As soon as he gets in the sitting position, give the treat and praise. Do not repeat the command as the puppy has to respond to the first command. If he does not respond immediately, use the leash as reinforcement. When the do sits on his own outside training times, praise him to encourage it.

There are several other commands that a dog need to learn as part of his training. Once he musters these, you will get a well behaved dog that listens to you. Treats is a good way to reinforce your verbal commands. Puppy training continues to be a fun experience for both of us and I look forward to teaching my puppy new commands.

Works Cited

Cutler, Janet H., Jason B. Coe, and Lee Niel. “Puppy socialization practices of a sample of dog owners from across Canada and the United States.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 251.12 (2017): 1415-1423.

Flint, Hannah E., et al. “Identification of fear behaviors shown by puppies in response to nonsocial stimuli.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 28 (2018): 17-24.

Ryan, Linda. “Successful puppy classes and essential early learning.” BSAVA Congress Proceedings 2018. BSAVA Library, 2018.