Having a puppy at home can be very exciting, because at this stage dogs tend to be very playful and fun, in addition to the tenderness produced by its appearance. However, having a puppy also implies assuming the responsibility that is required to train it and teach it good manners, so that it does not become a destructive little monster or an animal that the family is unable to control, becoming a problem.
That's why on our site we want to talk to you about when you can start training your puppy. The right time to do this is very important, as it will make the job easier for you and the dog.
A rude dog?
Ripped shoes, torn cushions, a dirty carpet and barking or street fights with the neighbors' pets is what awaits you if you don't dedicate yourself to properly educating your dogsince this one is a puppy. As with people, there is a certain age when it will be easier to teach your dog the main commands and the basic habits that it must comply with in order to lead a life in harmony with the human family and the other possible pets with which it is associated. stumble.
A puppy that has not received education can become a problem and generate tension between the different members that are part of the household, but we know that this can be contrasted and corrected with the necessary guidance.
The time to start training your puppy
Despite the process of domestication through which it has gone through, the dog is still an animal accustomed to following the pack, so from a very young age it can be educatedabout the rules that govern the pack, even when it's a family. Waiting until the puppy is over six months old or close to one year old to start teaching him the rules of the house, as many people do, is wasting precious time in which he may very well receive instructions on what places in the house are for him. prohibited or where to relieve themselves, for example.
From 7 weeks, when the dog has become somewhat independent from the mother (from that age onwards it is that it is recommended to give them up for adoption, for example), your puppy is ready to learn the first rules of coexistence and the orders it needs to become a member of the family group.
Learning process
The dog learns throughout his life Even when you think you have finished the education and training process, if you are not careful, it is possible that acquire other habits that are unwanted, or, in fact, that he adapts easily to new situations that arise in the home even though he has reached adulthood. Despite this, educating the puppy from a young age is necessary, not only to avoid inconveniences with the family or end up having an undisciplined dog, but also to start training at a young age facilitates the retention of information and makes it more receptive, since adult, to new situations.
Of course, just like with humans, each stage has a different level of difficulty, so you'll need to tailor what you you want your puppy to learn at his age. In this way, we can divide puppy training into:
- From 7 weeks
- From 3 months
- 6 months and up
From 7 weeks
Your puppy has just come home, or it's time to help the mother in the education of the puppy or the litter. At this age you can teach your puppy a few things, but they are very important:
- Control bites It is normal for puppies to want to bite everything they find in their path, because the exit of the teeth provokes them discomfort in the gums. To prevent him from destroying your personal belongings, buy him special dog toys for this purpose, and praise him whenever he uses them.
- Where to relieve yourself. As he does not have all his vaccinations yet, you will have to assign him some space in the house for it, either in the patio or on newspapers. Be patient and take your puppy to his potty spot right after eating.
- Don't cry if he's alone If you get complaints that your dog barks or wails a lot when you're not around, just pretend you're going to go out and come home as soon as you notice their whining. He adopts an annoyed, non-violent attitude towards the animal, and will soon notice that his unwarranted noises are not well received. Another very effective option is to provide him with a puppy kong in order to keep him entertained while you are away.
- Respect other people's space. If you don't want your pup to pounce on people or sleep on furniture, pushing him away with a forceful "no" will be enough to get it done in no time.
- Where to sleep. It is necessary that you define a place for the animal to rest and that you remain firm in this position, because you will only confuse it if one day you allow it to sleep with you and the next you send it to its bed, for example.
From 3 months
With the above rules learned, this phase should be easier for you and your dog. During this stage, the puppy can learn to:
- Doing his business away from home If what you really want is for your dog to relieve himself during walks, you have already placed all their vaccines, and you wonder when you can start educating your puppy, this age is the ideal one to teach him all this. Start by placing the newspapers outside the house, in the places that catch your eye and, little by little, you will find your favorite bathroom.
- Pasear Following the pace of your human companion during walks is an essential part of puppy training, to avoid having to run after him when you start to pull on the leash. He pulls the chain on him when you see him trying to get away and starts teaching him commands like “stay”, “come” and “walk.”
6 months and up
Between 6 and 8 months, your puppy will be able to grasp more complex commands Commands such as pawing, laying down and others tricks you want him to learn will be easily assimilated at this stage. It's also a good time for him to start socializing with other dogsTo do this, don't miss our article in which we tell you how to socialize your puppy.
From this point on, your dog will already know the basic rules and will have acquired the necessary habits to live with his human family
Useful tips for training your puppy
In addition to all of the above regarding when you can start training your puppy, you should keep in mind the following tips when starting training:
- Be patient. If you get upset when the dog fails to carry out the order as you wish, do not pressure or force it: it is likely that the method you are using is not the most appropriate. Leave it for that day, analyze what is wrong and come back the next day.
- Be loving. Shows of affection, cuddles and congratulations when the dog meets what you expect of him are the positive reinforcement he needs to learn faster.
- Be consistent. From the first day it is crucial to establish what the rules that the dog must comply with will be, and these must be followed by the whole family. Mixing up the signals will only confuse the animal.
- Be understanding. Long training sessions will only tire you and the dog. Rather reinforce the command and behavior you want to follow for five minutes, a maximum of 10 times a day, and the results will be more noticeable.
With these tips we are sure that your puppy will become a polite dog in no time. If you have an adult dog that has never received training, don't despair: it is also possible to educate him, either by doing it yourself at home or attending training courses and workshops with him.
