Do I really need to train my puppy?

Playful, curious and at times cheeky - that's how we know and love our puppies. But do we need to show them boundaries and teach them rules? And if so, at what age do we start and what are the key factors to look out for?

Breaking flowerpots, tearing up furniture, biting in play, doing their business in the house, and the list goes on - puppies do things they are not supposed to or things we don't want them to do. The question is whether this will resolve itself, meaning our beloved pets learn not to do these things, or whether we need to teach them these rules.

Unfortunately, the answer is that yes, we do need to train them.  There are, of course, elements they pick up on as they grow older. Scientists have found out, for instance, that most dogs come to understand that we don't want our furniture and other things broken. They learn this by watching our reaction as we get upset, even if it is not directed at them. In general, however, they need to be taught most of the rules.

Now first, we must understand how a puppy mind works. Try to put yourself in its position: you are a domesticated animal, dependent on your owner, but you understand hardly anything of the very chaotic and complex world you live in.

Take cars for example: We know getting hit by a car causes serious injuries or worse. Your puppy does not know that. These types of information are not inherient to the puppy's mind and not knowing them puts them in severe danger. Thus, we need to teach our pet not run in front of a car. For the sake of its own safety and the safety of yourself and other people and animals, our puppy needs to learn a few basic rules.

At what age should I start training my puppy?

Training a puppy is an important part of creating a healthy and happy relationship between you and your pet. It’s important to start training your puppy as early as possible so that he or she can learn basic obedience and socialization skills. 

But when is the right age to start training your puppy? The answer to this question depends on the breed and size of your puppy. Generally, puppies should start training at around 8 weeks of age. This is the age when puppies are just starting to learn about their environment and are most open to learning new things. It's also the time when puppies have the most energy and are most likely to be engaged in learning. 

It is essential not to start too late with the training as it will prove more difficult. Older dogs are more reluctant to learn new rules and listen to unfamiliar commands.

How should I train my puppy?

For a detailed guide, visit our puppy training page. As a starter, here is a brief summary: The first rule is to be patient. A puppy will not understand what it's supposed to do or not do right from the beginning. It will make mistakes. This is natural. Do not become angry with your pet, it really wants to learn and usually enjoys learning new things and getting rewards for it. Just give it time. If you feel frustrated, take a break, do something else and relax before you give it another try.

When it comes to methods of training, there are several options available. Positive reinforcement is one of the most popular and effective methods. This involves rewarding your puppy with treats, verbal praise, and physical affection when they demonstrate good behavior. 

Clicker training is another option that uses a small device that makes a clicking sound to mark the desired behavior. This method is especially useful for teaching complex behaviors. 

Other methods include crate training, which helps puppies learn to be comfortable in their crate, and leash training, which teaches them how to walk on a leash. It’s important to remember that no matter which method you choose, consistency is key. 

What basic commands should I teach my puppy?

When you give your dog a command it should be short and simple. Do not start chattering. Speak in a clear, calm and firm tone. There are 2 main commands you will want your puppy to understand:

• Come here

Use a short phrase or word to call your dog. It will be important to prevent bad situations. Take the instance with the car. If your puppy runs towards the street you need to call it back before it gets hit by a car. Or if it runs towards another dog which appears aggressive yet your puppy fails to notice this. 

• No

Some people hestitate to teach their puppy not to do something. But it is part of their nature to learn that there are rules. They might feel bad for a short moment, but the benefits will outweigh this experience. Imagine your puppy finds something on a walk that it thinks is edible. It could be something poisonous. Your pet wont be able to know that. It might save your puppy's life if you say "no" and can rely on it following your command.

In general, be aware that dogs are good learners and enjoy learning. To them, dog training is fun as they are curious and devoted, they want to please their owners. So if you give them a command and they obey correctly and you praise them for that, they will be as happy as  can be. Plus, you can train them some pretty cool tricks.

For more information visit our puppy training page.