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Puppy Training Tips

November 1 2015

Have you recently adopted a puppy? Congratulations on your new furbaby! Your puppy’s first year is a very crucial time. Fido will form many of personality traits and opinions about the world when he’s little. Giving your furry pal proper training while he’s young is a crucial part of helping him grow into a friendly, well-behaved adult. In this article, a McHenry, IL vet offers some puppy training tips.

First Things First

Before teaching Fido fun tricks, make sure he knows the basics of good doggy obedience. These five commands are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. You can start teaching your pup these commands while working on housebreaking and crate training, but make sure he has mastered these before moving on to anything else.

Be Consistent

When addressing behavioral issues, always be consistent. Don’t let your furry pal get away with begging one day, and then reprimand him for it the next. Also, when giving your pup vocal commands, use the same phrases each time.

Keep Classes Short

Long classes can bore a curious young pup. Work with Fido for about 15-20 minutes at a time, once or twice a day.

One Thing At A Time

Make sure your little buddy has each command down before moving on to the next one. Trying to learn too many things at once can confuse your puppy!

Use Positive Reinforcement

Punishment doesn’t work well with Man’s Best Friend, and can often backfire. Instead, keep things positive, and reward little Fido with praise and treats for doing well.

Snacks

Treats can be a great training tool. Just be careful not to overindulge your puppy with fatty snacks. Use smaller treats, like cut-up bits of hot dogs or pieces of kibble.

Keep Things Happy

Don’t work with your dog when you are feeling stressed, or are having a bad day. Our canine friends are very perceptive, and it won’t take long for little Fido to pick up your mood. This can cause your furry pal to form a negative association with training.

Patience

Consistency, patience, and repetition are the keys to good dog training. Don’t expect your furry buddy to pick everything up right away. Give him time to grow.

Does little Fido need shots, microchipping, or an examination? We can help! Please contact us, your local McHenry, IL vet clinic, for all your puppy’s veterinary care needs.