Puppy’s First Week: 5 Tips for How to Train Puppies During Their First Week Home

5 Tips for How to Train Puppies During Their First Week Home

The first week home with your new puppy is critical to establish a good relationship. Here are 5 tips for how to train puppies during their first week home.

You brought home a new little furry best friend. And while that wet nose and puppy dog breath have captured your heart, it’s time to get down to training business.

That’s because it’s never too early to train a puppy. In fact, the earlier you can you get him into a routine and establish good behaviors, the better for everyone involved.

But if you don’t know the first thing about how to train puppies, it can be an overwhelming experience.

Not to fear. Let’s look at 5 tips to help you get your new puppy trained during their first week at home.

1. Set up a Schedule

Dogs are very much creatures of habit. And training a new puppy in a structured environment will help them thrive.

By doing the same things at the same time daily, your new puppy will quickly pick up on the household routine.

A schedule will allow your puppy to settle into their new environment. Plus, it will aid your potty-training efforts by conditioning their internal plumbing to know when it’s time to “go.”

2. Reward Good Behavior

Puppies love having a shower of praise. And all your furry best friend wants to do is please you. So when you reward good behavior, it’s going to be something they want to continue doing.

This positive reinforcement can include giving them toys, their favorite treats, extra petting, and lots of love.

Letting them know when they get something right instills the correct actions in their minds. And the good behavior will soon become their normal behavior.

3. Give Your Puppy Space of Their Own

When introduced into a new home, it’s important to give your puppy a space of their own.

Whether that be in a crate or using baby gates to keep them confined to a certain area of the house. It gives your new puppy a sense of security and a place to relax.

But it can also be an invaluable training tool. It helps with potty-training because they won’t want to soil the place they sleep. And it keeps them out of trouble when you’re not able to keep an eye on them.

4. Be a Consistent Leader

Think of your puppy as a small child. Puppies don’t know the difference between right and wrong. So it’s vital to stay patient, keep your training consistent, and show them who’s in charge.

By being confident and consistent, your puppy will soon see you as a pack leader. Something they naturally want to follow.

If you’re too mushy and don’t establish solid boundaries early, that’s when bad habits and naughty behavior begin to form.

5. Keep It Positive

It’s never a good idea to scold your puppy during training. This can create negative feelings around the task that can be hard to overcome. Or it might confuse your puppy since they don’t understand cause and effect as we do.

Instead, continue to reward good behavior with praise and turn your back to silently ignore the bad.

For example, if they run ahead while you’re leash training, stop all movement and stand still until they stop. If they bite too hard while playing, drop what you’re doing, yell “Ouch!” and ignore them.

Your puppy will soon learn praise is better than being ignored and correct the behavior.

The Most Important How to Train Puppies Tip: Enjoy It

Puppies are a lot of work. There’s no doubt about that. But they’re also so much fun!

When learning how to train puppies, the most important aspect is to enjoy it. Your new little furry friend will appreciate it and enjoy it as much as you do!

Need help training your new puppy? Contact us today to learn more about our classes and private lessons!