Essential Puppy Training: Building a Strong Foundation

Establishing a solid foundation through basic training is crucial for your puppy’s future development. Puppy training should involve short, engaging sessions that always conclude on a positive note. If your puppy seems to be struggling or exhibiting stubbornness, it’s important to assess the pace of your training and the value of your rewards. Consider whether you need to simplify the steps or if your puppy requires a more substantial reward for a challenging exercise. This article will guide you through the “Basic 5” essential cues that will set your puppy up for success, paving the way for potential obedience championships with consistent effort and enjoyment. For those seeking to further enhance their dog’s capabilities, understanding how to train your dog to be an emotional support can be a rewarding next step.

Getting Started with Positive Reinforcement

To begin training on the right track, your puppy needs to understand expectations. This clarity provides a sense of security, empowering them to meet the goals you set. The cornerstone of effective puppy training is positive reinforcement, a method that involves rewarding desired behaviors. The aim is not to bribe your puppy, but to shape their actions using incentives they find valuable.

It’s vital to steer clear of punishment, such as leash corrections or harsh tones. Punishment can lead to confusion and uncertainty for your puppy, making it difficult for them to grasp what is being asked. Remember, we cannot expect puppies to possess knowledge they haven’t yet acquired, much like expecting a toddler to tie their shoelaces. Patience is a key ingredient in helping your new puppy learn appropriate behavior.

Reinforcement can encompass anything your puppy enjoys. Many owners opt for small, high-value treats like freeze-dried liver or even their regular kibble. Generous praise or the opportunity to play with a favorite toy can also serve as effective rewards. Dogs can be taught to appreciate praise; by pairing a treat with enthusiastic “Good dog!” in a happy voice, they learn that verbal praise is a positive reward. While food is often the most convenient reinforcer, some dogs also respond well to gentle petting.

Puppies can commence basic training as soon as they join your household, typically around eight weeks old. Keep training sessions brief, ideally five to ten minutes, and always conclude on a positive note. If your puppy is struggling with a new behavior, end the session by reinforcing something they already know, offering abundant praise and a significant reward for their success. Boredom or frustration can hinder the learning process and prove counterproductive.

Teaching Your Puppy to Come When Called (Recall)

Begin training the recall cue, “come,” in a quiet, indoor environment.

1. Start by sitting with your puppy and saying their name or the word “come.”
2. Each time you say “come” or their name, offer your puppy a treat. They don’t need to perform any action yet; this is simply associating the word with a positive reward.
3. Next, place a treat on the floor near you. Once your puppy finishes the treat, say their name again. When they look up, give them another treat.
4. Repeat this process, gradually tossing the treat slightly further away. Your puppy should begin to turn towards you when they hear their name. Avoid repeating your puppy’s name excessively if they don’t respond, as this can lead to them ignoring it. Instead, move closer to your puppy and revert to a step where they can successfully respond to their name the first time.
5. Once your puppy reliably turns to face you, introduce movement and make the game more engaging. Toss a treat and take a few quick steps away while calling your puppy’s name. The chase element will likely encourage them to follow.
6. When your puppy reaches you, shower them with praise, treats, or engage in play with a tug toy. The act of coming to you should be a fun experience. Continue to build on these games by increasing the distance and practicing in different locations. When training outdoors (always in a safe, enclosed area), using a long leash can be beneficial initially.

When your puppy comes to you, refrain from reaching out and grabbing them, as this can be confusing or frightening for some dogs. If your puppy is timid, kneel down, face them sideways, and offer treats as you reach for their collar.

Mastering Loose-Leash Walking

In competitive obedience, “heel” signifies the dog walking on your left side, with their head aligned with your knee, while maintaining a loose leash. For puppy training, the objective is more relaxed: teaching them to walk politely on a loose leash without pulling. Some trainers prefer using cues like “let’s go” or “forward” instead of “heel.”

Regardless of the cue you choose, consistency is key. Always use the same word. Whether your puppy walks to your left or right is a personal preference, but maintain consistency to prevent confusion and zig-zagging.

1. Ensure your puppy is comfortable wearing a leash. This may initially feel strange, and some puppies might mouth the leash. Offer treats each time you put the leash on.
2. Stand beside your puppy with a loose leash loop and reward them with several treats for standing or sitting next to your leg.
3. Take one step forward and encourage them to follow by offering another treat as they catch up.
4. Continue offering treats at knee or hip level as you walk forward.
5. If your puppy moves ahead of you, simply turn in the opposite direction, call them to you, and reward them in place before continuing. Gradually increase the interval between treats (from every step to every other step, then every third step, and so on).
6. Eventually, your dog will walk happily by your side whenever leashed. Allow your dog ample time to explore and “sniff the roses” during walks. When they’ve had their sniffing time, use a cheerful “Let’s go!” cue and reward them for returning to position and walking with you. For persistent pulling, consult resources on stopping a dog from pulling when walking.

Teaching Your Puppy to Sit

There are two primary methods for teaching your puppy the “sit” cue: capturing and luring.

The capturing method involves waiting for the behavior to occur naturally.

1. Stand in front of your puppy, holding some of their food or treats.
2. Wait for your puppy to sit. The moment they do, say “yes” and provide a treat.
3. Take a step backward or sideways to encourage them to stand, then wait for them to sit again.
4. Reward them with a treat as soon as they sit.
5. After a few repetitions, begin saying “sit” just as they start to lower themselves into a sit.

The luring method uses a treat as a guide.

1. Position yourself in front of your puppy and hold a treat as a lure.
2. Place the treat close to your puppy’s nose, then slowly move it upwards over their head. As they lift their head to follow the treat, they will likely sit.
3. Allow them to eat the treat once their hindquarters touch the ground.
4. Repeat this process one or two times with the treat lure. Then, remove the food from your hand, using only an empty hand motion, but continue to reward your puppy after they sit.
5. Once they reliably follow the hand signal, start saying “sit” just before you give the hand signal.

Never physically force your puppy into a sitting position, as this can be confusing or distressing for them.

Teaching Your Puppy to Lie Down

Teaching the “down” cue is quite similar to teaching “sit.”

1. You can wait for your dog to lie down naturally. Practicing in a quiet, small room, such as a bathroom, can sometimes be helpful.
2. Capture the behavior by rewarding your dog with a treat the moment they lie down.
3. Use a release cue to prompt them to stand up (and use a lure if needed), then wait for them to lie down again.
4. Once they are consistently lying down after standing, begin saying “down” just before they perform the action.

Alternatively, you can lure a down from a sit or stand position.

1. Hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly lower it towards the floor.
2. Provide the treat when your dog’s elbows touch the floor to initiate the down position.
3. After a few practice sessions, start using your empty hand to guide them down, giving the treat after they have lain down.
4. When they reliably follow your hand signal, begin saying “down” as you move your hand.

Similar to teaching “sit,” avoid using force to place your dog in a down position.

Teaching Your Puppy to Stay

A puppy who understands the “stay” cue will remain in position until released with a designated “release word.” Staying in place is a duration behavior. The objective is to teach your dog to maintain a sit until you give the release cue, and then gradually introduce distance. For those interested in specialized training, resources on how to train puppy to be therapy dog can provide valuable insights.

1. Begin by teaching the release word. Choose a word like “OK” or “free.”
2. Stand with your puppy in a sit or stand, toss a treat on the floor, and say your release word as they move to get the treat.
3. Repeat this a few times until you can say the release word first, and then toss the treat after they begin to move. This teaches the dog that the release cue signals permission to move.
4. Once your dog understands the release cue and can sit on cue, position them in a sit, face them, and give them a treat.
5. Pause, and offer another treat for remaining in the sit, then release them.
6. Gradually increase the duration you wait between treats. You can time this by mentally reciting the alphabet.
7. If your dog gets up before the release cue, don’t worry. This simply means they aren’t ready for that duration. Adjust by shortening the time and ensuring success.
8. Once your dog can stay in a sit for several seconds, begin adding distance.
9. Place them in a sit, say “stay,” take one step back, then return to your puppy, offering a treat and your release word.
10. Continue increasing the distance incrementally, ensuring the task remains achievable for your dog to maintain success. Practice both while facing them and by walking away with your back turned, which is a more realistic scenario.

Once your dog has mastered the stay, you can progressively increase the distance. This principle also applies to the “sit” cue; the more solid their understanding, the longer they can maintain the position.

The fundamental principle is to avoid expecting too much too soon. Training goals are attained through small, consistent steps. You may need to slow down and focus on one aspect at a time. To ensure the training is effective and lasting, sessions should remain short and successful. For specialized training needs, consider exploring protection dog training equipment to ensure you have the right tools.

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is an excellent starting point for your puppy’s training journey. This six-week program covers essential skills such as sit, down, and coming when called, offering your puppy their first official AKC Title and setting the stage for a lifetime of good behavior.