The relationship between you and your new puppy begins from the moment you pick them up. Being able to properly build the foundation of this new relationship for it to prosper will ensure that you have a great companion. Implementing rules and boundaries from the start will help your puppy to understand its place in the family. Through obedience training, you will be able to build a positive relationship that will be rewarded with affection.
Here are 7 tips for introducing your puppy to your family:
1.Establish Good Habits:
Your new puppy is continuously learning, even when you’re not in training. So, you must start establishing good habits in the early stages and stay persistent as your dog matures. Even though it might be cute when they are puppies, when your dog grows older, it might be discouraging when your dog plays rough. Encouraging them to do so as a puppy will ensure they carry it through when they get older. Understand that your puppy is like a newborn baby; all they want to do is eat, play, and sleep. That’s why creating healthy patterns is detrimental to their development. So teach them healthy sleeping habits by not waking them up unnecessarily for cuddles or playtime.
2. Reinforce Correct Behaviors:
As the puppy grows, it will exhibit behaviors that you want and encourage from the household dynamic. Be sure to reward good behavior with love and affection. When your dog drinks water or goes to the bathroom outside, name the behavior, and reinforce it by rewarding them.
3. Don’t ask your puppy to do something it doesn’t understand, or you can’t reinforce:
The key to success is repetition, consistency, and time. When you want to teach your new puppy a specific trick or behavior, keep in mind that they have to successfully repeat 2,500 times for it to become muscle memory So, set yourself and your dog for success and reward your dog for correct behavior ONLY.
4. Training in small stages
Your puppy is continuously learning every day. However, their attention span is very short. That’s why it’s always recommended to keep your training short but do more frequent training exercises. This way, the puppy’s mind will stay sharp snd will get training better. Set your puppy up for success by tackling one command per session at a time and practice it until it has become a habit.
5. Find out what motivates your puppy
Every dog is motivated by something else. Finding out your puppy’s motivation will help you with your training. Some are motivated by food, others by affection, or toys. Learning what your puppy likes best will keep them motivated throughout the session.
6. Teach your kids how to handle the puppy
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting for everyone in the family. However, it’s essential to teach your kids how to handle your new family member properly. Letting them know what they can and cannot do is important, as well as to help them realize that the new puppy is not a toy. Showing your children how to interact with the puppy responsibly will help them avoid unpleasant experiences for both of them.
7. Consistency is key
Everyone in your household needs to be on the same page of what behaviors are acceptable and which ones are not. Being consistent with the rules and commands will help avoid any confusion for your puppy.
When you bring home a new puppy, it’s essential to build a strong foundation through Obedience. Relationship and Affection. This will help you have a better life with your dog and ensure good behavior. Plus, these tips will help you build on the basic manners of keeping the house clean, behaving around guests, walking nicely on a leash, and come back when called. If you need further assistance training your dog with basic manners, housebreaking, or walking on a leash and are in South Florida, give us a call at ORA Dog Training! We’ll be happy to help. Check out our Google Reviews!