Training your new dog needs to be at the top of your priorities when you've decided on getting a new dog. If you don't start training your puppy from the word go they'll have time to learn bad habits that can be incredibly hard to undo and retrain further down the line. The good news is training your dog doesn't have to be a hard task, there are many basic tips out there that you can teach yourself without having to take your dog to an obedience class. These 5 basic dog training tips will help you get that step closer to gaining obedience from your dog, tackling problem behaviours, whether that's existing ones or those that may develop in the future!
#1. Teaching Your Dog To 'Sit'
This is one of the very early commands that is one of the best to start with, and a great way of getting their attention. Repeating the following sequence over time with your dog is the best way for the command to sink in, they'll then associate the word and commands with that action.
Another very important command that should be one of the first that you teach your dog, this command will keep your dog out of trouble, and bring them back to you if they accidentally stray or get let off their lead. You can reinforce this command in the following way, by again repeating the sequence for as long as is needed.
#3. Teaching Your Dog To 'Drop'
As soon as your puppy is old enough to roam the house with ease and go out on walks, they'll find any new experience exciting and 'new', which often leads to them picking up lots of things that they shouldn't in their mouth! Teaching your dog to 'drop' will teach them to instantly drop anything that is in their mouth that could potentially be dangerous or toxic. You can master this command with your dog by using a hard edible chew toy as an example. When telling the dog to drop the toy pretend to show them a treat, give the dog treats the first time he does it, try again and repeat the actions! Teaching this command would work great with a Miro dead duck prey toy which is completely natural and eco-friendly!
#4. Toilet Training
Toilet training can be one of the hardest things to teach a dog, but which for obvious reasons is the most important. What you must remember is that this process cannot be rushed, there may be accidents along the way, but it will come with time. Toilet training should begin with your dog at a young age, a few simple tips for effective toilet training are regular mealtimes, offering frequent toilet opportunities, staying out with your dog whilst they go to the toilet, and giving them lots of praise and affection! Love That Pet have some more great tips that will really help to form that innate behaviour with your dog.
#5. Dog Training Essentials
Before your new dog arrives, with the basic commands ready to be taught you need to make sure you've invested in all the essential dog training accessories that will help make the process a lot smoother and easier for all involved. A dog harness is essential for a young, energetic dog who is likely to be incredibly playful, and wanting to sniff and chase everything! This Miro premium fleece padded dog harness is a great choice, that is comfortable for the dog to wear, but is extremely robust, soft and flexible so it allows you to keep in control of your dog without hurting them. Using a high pitch without pea dog whistle is also a great tool to use when training your dog, and to improve their behaviour accordingly.
Training a new dog can be a lot of work, but teaching them the basics from a young age will make everything a lot easier down the line! Most importantly don't rush the process, as with regular practice your dog will soon pick up what they should and shouldn't be doing, and don't forget to shower them with lots of love and the occasional treat to make the process nicer for them all round! Keep up to date with our latest blog posts and updates on the Waterman's Facebook page, Twitter and Google+.