First Days
So, you’ve brought home your little fur-ball of fun and now it’s time to start teaching them all the things! Hopefully, you have been anticipating their arrival and you have created a safe and comfortable space for them to rest and feel relaxed. They will be naturally curious about their new surrounding and this is a great time to introduce them to other family members and pets. Give them a chance to adjust and try not to force things. Reinforce what they already have learned by using the same commands that they left with. So far, your puppy has been exposed to: “Come”, “sit”, “down” (four on the floor), “shake” (gimme 5), “back”, “stay”, “take a treat”, “no nibbles,” (stopping the hand biting), and “go potty.”
In order to “keep the ball rolling” (pun intended,) I recommend that you start out by trying to fit in a 5-minute training session 2-3 times a day. I think the best time to do that is after they have woken from a nap, had a meal and gone to the potty. Your pup has been exposed to this schedule since they were 4-weeks-old so keeping that schedule going would be the most optimal. If you cannot do that, that’s ok, just try to spend some time teaching them as often as you possibly can. It is important to keep in mind that your pup’s core socialization and learning period is from 4-16 weeks of age, you’ll want to really take advantage of this period of time where the brain is really absorbing things like a sponge.
The most effective component of training a dog is the utilization of repetition. Be prepared to practice what has been taught previously over and over to help them continue to build confidence and rapport with you.
Learning their name
First thing to teach your pup is their name. Using a high reward item like steak or cheese, call the puppy’s name and when they look at you and respond to you, reward immediately. You can use a marker word like “YES!” and then follow with a treat or toy. Continue this until you know that they know that calling their name gets their attention and ready for what is next.
Crate Training
Crate training is an essential piece of the potty training puzzle. The crate needs to be just a little bigger than them. Puppies normally do not like to soil (pee pee or poo poo) in the area that they are in. Your new baby can only hold their urine for 90 minutes to an hour at 8 weeks old. Each week, their bladders get a little bigger giving you more time between potty breaks. As they continue to grow, account for 1 hour per month old that they can hold it.
Leash Training
After you’ve come home and gotten into a routine, taught your pup their name and introduced them to a crate, the next order of business should be leash training. it’s a good idea to tether a leash to your puppy and introduce them to the idea of being on a leash and walking at a comfortable pace by you side. I strongly recommend not waiting until they are too big to take you for a walk. Since going to a public dog park is not recommended until your pup is fully vaccinated, you can walk your puppy around the house from room to room. you need to have treats in a pocket or pouch so you can immediately reward them as they exhibit self control and mastery. Keep the treat close by your leg so your pup stays close to you. Trust me on this, you want to get a head start on this skill because pretty soon, you will be out and about together and the last thing you want is an out of control 40-50 lb puppy acting crazy. In my opinion, a well-mannered puppy should never pull. If that begins to happen, check out this link from AKC.
The reason to have a dog on a leash may not always be obvious so here is what the American Kennel Club has to say about it. “It’s not only against the law to let your dog off-leash in most public areas, but it can also be unsafe. Your dog could get into a scrap with another dog or run away from you. Keeping your dog leashed allows you greater control over who they interact with and what they get into. But how do you teach your dog to walk politely on a leash? Nobody wants to be dragged down the street, and with a larger dog, you can even suffer injuries if they pull hard enough. Although leash pulling is a common issue for dogs, there are simple techniques to teach your dog appropriate leash behavior. Plus, adjusting your behavior during walks can make a big difference too. If you follow these 10 tips, instead of your dog walking you, soon you and your dog will be walking together.”
Fear Stage
Around 8-11 weeks of age, puppies go through a fear stage. According to the American Kennel Club, “Fear periods are a normal part of puppy development, but they also can be overwhelming for dogs. During fear periods, puppies become more sensitive and aware of the world around them. They may be more concerned about new objects or experiences, and even things that they previously might have enjoyed can become worrisome. Your puppy will experience two fear periods, both of which are a normal evolutionary part of puppy development. No amount of socialization can prevent them, but the good thing is you can help your puppy to work through them and come out the other side more confident.”
With commitment and following through with making the most of this time, your puppy will develop into a very well-mannered dog that you can enjoy for many years to come.