Recent research has shown that, over the COVID-19 pandemic, the population of dogs has increased in 1.5 million in the UK.
If so, we imagine you may be struggling a bit at this moment with the teenager you have at home, who is growing really fast. But they may seem not to be learning commands and tricks at the same speed…
3 Basic Tips for Training your Pup
#1 Focus on the Positives
Remember that you want to teach them what to do, instead of what they must not do
If you got a puppy, you knew that weeing, barking and crying would become part of your routine. Instead of just saying NO to this unwanted behaviour, you have to learn how to show your pooch how you want them to act instead.
If they chewed one of your shoes, show them a tastier toy to chew instead. If they wee in your carpet, take them outside and reward when weeing in the right spot. If they bark at the postman, ask them to sit, calm down and stay, and then reward accordingly.
Positive reinforcement is the key to success.
#2 Support Your Puppy
Avoid creating situations for your puppy to “fail”
You can help your dog – and yourself – by controlling the environment in which the two of you interact.
For instance, if you know they like to chew shoes, don’t leave any shoes laying around the house. If they raid your kitchen bin, put a lock on your cupboard door.
Yes, this is a way of avoiding the problems, but why would you create them?
#3 Learn to Talk Dog
There’s ALWAYS a reason for the way a dog behaves.
Remember that there are only TWO reasons why your puppy won’t do what you’re asking.
Either they don’t know what you’re asking or they’re not motivated enough to do it.
So before you get angry at your best friend, think about YOUR behaviour towards them. Are you giving the right signs? Are you speaking the language they understand, I mean, treats and rewards?
At Dog Tales Club, we ensure that our pups get plenty of activities to stimulate their good behaviour, by learning basic commands, socializing and playing brain games.
We provide daycare from Monday to Friday, 7-8AM till 3-4PM in a green field just 30 minutes away from central London.
If you would like to contact us, please feel free to pop us an email at info@dogtalesclub.co.uk or WhatsApp: +44 7365 439488.
Some of the ideas of this article have been inspired by Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, by Steve Mann.
