When you get a new puppy, one of the most important things is to start behavioral training. Behavioral training helps your pet to learn how to behave appropriately in various situations. Think of this training as a life skill, and it is essential for both the pet and the owner.
There are many different behavioral training methods. But what is essential is not the method but the timing. The best time to begin behavioral training is as soon as you bring your puppy home. It is crucial to remember that your pet is still learning and will not understand everything you teach. So, be patient and consistent with your techniques.
Here are some tips for you to begin with the behavioral training of your puppies.
Look for Responses of Your Pet
One way that behavioral training works is by learning how our actions affect our pets and their behavior. For example, if your pet constantly jumps on you when you get home from work, they are probably looking for attention. If you push them away or yell at them to get down, they will continue jumping on you because that action worked in getting your attention.
Be Consistent with Your Approach
It is also essential to be consistent with your training. Pups will respond better to their training if they know what to expect. So, try to avoid sudden changes in their activity. You can do this by keeping track in a journal and writing down how your pup reacts to certain situations and responds to specific commands.
If you notice changes in their behavior, it could signify that something needs to change in your training approach.
Pets Need to Know What is Expected from Them
It would help if you told them what you expect and what you want them to do. Through proper behavior and gestures, you can express your approval or disapproval. It is important to correct them when they are doing something wrong, like barking excessively or jumping on people. If you do not interrupt, they will continue doing the behavior because they will not know where they are going wrong.
Rewards and Praise
A practical method that you can use on your puppy while training is using positive reinforcement techniques. It means rewarding your puppy with treats and praising them with a pat or hug when they do something well.
In addition to praise, your pup will also want attention from others in the house. When family members or friends come over to visit, make it a point of rewarding pets through others for good behaviors.
Include Games in Your Training
On top of helping pets learn how to behave in different situations, training your pup can also be an excellent way for you and your family to bond with them. You can try simple games like “fetch” or teach short tricks like “shake hands” that are fun for everyone involved. Treats play an important role during these games to help speed the learning process and make the games even more fun.
These are a few tips for training puppies. There are many different types of training that you can do, from simple obedience training to canine good citizen courses. However, when you are looking for a training school or have questions about the things you should do immediately after bringing home your puppy, be sure to ask your veterinarian.
