If you’re reading up on how to raise a well-behaved puppy, you have some very exciting times ahead. Are you adding a fluffy pupper to your furry family? Have you already brought home an adorable little ball of wrinkles? Maybe you’re just being a responsible future Pet Owner for when the time is right. No matter why you’re learning how to raise a well-behaved puppy, we’re here to help! Having a new puppy at home can be overwhelming and exhausting. However, with these tips, and the right local Dog Sitter, you can be sure that your pup is the best behaved “good boy” or “good girl” in the neighbourhood.
How to raise a well-behaved puppy? Here are 6 tips for success!
Tip #1: Learn your puppy facts
If there’s one thing that many of us are guilty of, it’s putting adult doggie expectations on our new puppies. And it’s easy to do! If you’ve never spent a lot of time with a puppy or you’ve grown accustomed to life with an older dog, it can be easy to forget that puppies are just little babies. They need time to learn and develop.
Remember, for instance, that puppies are incapable of holding their bladder for as long as an adult dog. According to Green Cross Vets, when puppies are between two and six months, they can hold their bladder for only two to five hours. If you work a typical nine-to-five job, then, you might have to schedule for a dedicated Dog Walker to come relieve your pup.
Another thing to keep in mind is that puppies learn to explore the world with their nose and, well, their mouth. Puppies aren’t being bad when they bite, they’re simply acting out thousands of years of canine genetics. And that will take a little bit of time to train out of them.
There are many other puppy-specific facts to learn, so read up on some helpful sources for your dog’s age and breed.
Tip #2: Set up a consistent schedule
One of the best ways that you can make your pup feel safe and secure in their new life is to give them a sense of consistency. Your pup should be able to anticipate their set meal times, potty breaks, training sessions and bedtime. This will make for a faster and more successful transition.
Crate training can be helpful in getting your pup on a regular schedule. You can learn how best to introduce the practice by reading our article, Crate Training: Good or Bad for Your Dog.
Tip #3: The secret to success – positive reinforcement training!
By far, the best training tip for how to raise a well-behaved puppy is positive reinforcement training. This training method works by rewarding the behavior that you want to see in your puppy and ignoring or redirecting the unwanted behavior.
For new Dog Owners, it can feel strange to step away from traditional training practices, but this one is highly effective. Read more about Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: Why it Works to learn about how the professional dog trainers train the best behaved doggos in the world.
Tip #4: Get Social
It can be intimidating as a new Dog Owner to expose your puppy to other dogs and strangers. But the more your pup comes into contact with the outside world when they’re young, the friendlier they’ll be as they grow up. Socialisation is a key part of building confidence in your dog and will teach them that the world is full of friends.
And, socialisation isn’t just about learning how to raise a well-behaved puppy. It will also open you up to a wonderful world of fellow Dog Owners who can help you navigate the world of puppy parenting!
Tip #5: Call in the experts
When in doubt, rely on the people who know all about how to raise a well-behaved puppy. Professional dog trainers can give you valuable tips about training and help you train your puppy in a controlled environment.
Having a dedicated Dog Walker is also a fantastic help when you’re raising a puppy. They’ll help your pup release all that puppy energy so that you can have a more relaxed fluffball to enjoy when you come home.
Tip #6: Love your pup!
Clearly, training, consistency, and socialisation are all extremely important when you’re learning how to raise a well-behaved puppy. But the very best thing you can do for your new pup? Love ‘em!
Your dog will happily listen to you, feel more secure in themselves, and interact more positively with the world if their adored Dog Owner adores them right back. So, make plenty of time for play, fun training sessions, and, of course, cuddle time to make sure your pup feels like a beloved part of the family.
Have more ideas on how to raise a well-behaved puppy?
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