Dog training basics – training the new puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting time for the
entire family. Getting that new puppy off the right start with
proper training is very important to making that puppy a valued
member of his human family. There are a number of 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.

It is best 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 discourage
parents from giving puppies and kittens as holiday presents. The
holiday season is typically much 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 introducing the new family member.

Once the puppy is part of the household, there are some things
he or she will need to learn. 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 usually means
that they do not know how to climb them properly. It is
important for the puppy’s owner to slowly build the confidence
of the dog, starting off at the bottom of the stairs. In
general, a wide stairway will probably be less frightening to
the puppy.

To build confidence, the owner should go up the first step, then
encourage 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 important 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 afraid of stairs.

Another thing every new puppy must learn is how to accept the
collar. Learning to wear a collar is important to every dog, but
many puppies are baffled, frightened and bewildered by this new
piece of equipment. Many puppies constantly try to remove their
new collar by pawing and pulling at it.

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

The best way to introduce 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 important to not
encourage this behavior by trying to soothe the puppy, but it is
just as important not to punish or reprimand 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 know they are
wearing a collar.