Essential Tips for Training Your New Puppy

The Importance of Starting Puppy Training Early

When bringing home a new puppy like Legacy, it's crucial to start training them early. The first few months of a puppy's life represents a vital socialization period where they are primed to learn new behaviors and skills. Starting training early allows you to instill good habits and prevent problem behaviors before they develop.

Set Up Your Puppy for Success

To start training, you’ll need to set up an environment that promotes learning. Have designated spots for eating, sleeping, and playing. Establish a consistent daily routine including feeding times, walk times, and play times. Provide appropriate chew toys so your puppy learns what is okay to chew on. Limit access to off-limit areas and supervise your puppy until they learn the house rules.

Master the Basics

Focus initial training on important foundational skills like potty training, crate training, and socialization. For potty training, stick to a strict schedule and give plenty of opportunities to go outside. Reward successful potty trips with treats and praise. For crate training, make it a safe den with toys and treats so your puppy learns to love their crate. Socialize your puppy to new people, places, sounds, and experiences in a positive way.

Use Positive Reinforcement

The most effective way to train a puppy is with positive reinforcement. This involves rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, play and attention. Start by luring your puppy into a behavior, like sitting, with a treat. Once they perform the behavior, reward them immediately. Over many repetitions, they will start offering the behavior without the lure. Keep training sessions short and fun to keep your puppy engaged and eager to learn.

Essential Commands to Practice

Mastering basic obedience commands should be a top priority. Not only will this provide essential control over your puppy, but it also strengthens your bond.

Sit and Down

“Sit” and “down” are the first commands to work on. Lure your puppy into position, reward, and add the verbal cue. Gradually phase out the lure and practice during mealtimes and play. Increase distractions slowly. A solid “sit” and “down” will make your puppy more controllable in exciting situations.

Come

A reliable recall or “come” command could save your puppy’s life if they ever get away from you. Start inside with low distractions, rewarding every time they come to you. Practice in safely enclosed areas before trying it off leash. Use high-value rewards and lots of praise for coming when called.

Leave It

“Leave it” teaches your puppy to resist the urge to lunge for tempting objects. Hold a treat in your closed hand and let your puppy sniff it. Open your hand and when they go for it say “leave it” and close your hand again. Repeat until they resist grabbing it. Then reward them by giving the treat. This command helps prevent your puppy from ingesting dangerous objects.

House Training Your Puppy

House training is often one of the most frustrating parts of puppyhood. But by following proven techniques, you can get through it with minimal accidents.

Stick to a Schedule

Puppies need to go out frequently, especially young puppies under 4 months old. Take Legacy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, naps, and playtime, and every 1-2 hours in between. Supervise closely when they’re roaming indoors. Learn to recognize signs they need to go like circling, sniffing, or squatting.

Crate Training

Crate training utilizes a dog's natural instinct to avoid soiling their den. Feed meals in the crate and provide water-proof bedding. Limit crate time to avoid accidents. Only provide enough room for sleeping, standing and turning. Whining in the crate should prompt an immediate trip outside to prevent accidents.

Reward Pee & Poop Outside

Pick a reward word like “go potty” to say when your puppy eliminates outside. Immediately give treats and enthusiastic praise to reinforce the correct behavior. This associates relieving themselves outside with a positive experience.

Manage Accidents

Accidents will still happen until your puppy has full bladder and bowel control. Respond calmly without punishment. Simply interrupt the behavior and bring them outside. Clean all accidents thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner to prevent re-soiling. Be patient and consistent and your hard work will pay off.

Preventing Problem Behaviors

Stopping problem behaviors before they start is central to puppy training. Set your puppy up for success by managing their environment and reinforcing wanted behaviors.

Bite Inhibition

Puppies naturally mouth and nip as they explore the world. For bite inhibition training, give appropriate chew toys and praise chewing them. If they bite you, yelp “ouch!” to signal it hurt and stop play. Training bite inhibition prevents damaging bites as your puppy matures.

Jumping Up

To discourage jumping up, turn away and ignore your puppy until all paws are on the floor. Reward with attention only when they are calm. Practice asking for a “sit” when greeting people and reward for having four paws on the floor. Be consistent and eventually your pup will learn to greet politely.

Destructive Chewing

Chewing is normal puppy behavior that helps relieve discomfort during teething. Provide an abundance of appropriate chew toys to satisfy their needs. Give especially high-value items like frozen Kongs when leaving your puppy unsupervised. Manage access to tempting furniture and shoes until you can trust your puppy has outgrown this phase.

Setting Your Puppy Up for Success

The work you put into training your Legacy now will help set them up for a lifetime of companionship and good behavior. Be patient, consistent, and make training fun through play, praise, and rewards. Relationships built on trust and mutual respect make for happy, well-adjusted dogs. Legacy's bright future starts with you!