Dogs have many unsavory habits – from going to the toilet just about anywhere to eating from the trash can. Despite all their faults, dogs are lovable creatures who need guidance to overcome their issues. This is why training is important for them to adjust to their new surroundings.
Here are 6 easy steps you can use to train your puppy to adapt to his new home.
1. Take Your Pup to a Behavioral Analyst
When you first adopt your puppy, you might receive a general report on his behavior.
However, if you plan on training your pup at home, a detailed assessment from a professional will give you a greater perspective on your puppy’s behaviors and the reasons for them.
Furthermore, if he has been abused or has persistent bad behavior, your analyst may recommend desensitization and Behavior adjustment theory to help correct behavioral issues.
2. Train Using a Clicker Device
Clicker devices are excellent tools to aid dog training. The device comes with a button which gives off a clicking sound when pressed. Every time your dog succeeds while you train him to do a certain action, you press the button on the device and give your dog a treat.
This device makes use of the Pavlovian principle that connects sound and food. Being rewarded teaches your dog to do more of the action to get more rewards.
Every time he hears the sound while being rewarded, your dog will begin to associate the sound of the clicker device with getting a treat. Eventually, your dog will feel rewarded just by hearing the sound of the device.
3. Get Training Related Supplies
You need certain tools like leashes, crates, and treat pouches to train your pet properly. If your dog reacts aggressively to strangers, foreign objects or other animals, you will need a leash to keep him in line.
The treat pouch will keep your hands free and you can easily reach into the pouch every time you want to reward your puppy.
Dogs have an inborn instinct to seek out places for shelter. Getting your puppy a crate will give him a safe space of his own in your home. Remember that you should never confine your dog to his crate as punishment.
4. Encourage Your Pup to Socialize
Dogs are greatly responsive to the world around them during the first three months of their lives. Make the most of this time and introduce them to a variety of people and animals.
Familiarizing your dog with the world will reduce chances of it aggressively reacting to unfamiliar things.
Here are some more ways you can help your dog socialize:
Go Leash Walking
The best way to socialize your dog is to take him out on a walk with his leash on. Use the leash to control your dog if he starts getting aggressive.
Instead of going to the park first, start from familiar territory and work your way towards more unfamiliar grounds as your puppy becomes more manageable.
Teach Your Pup to Follow Proper Dog Etiquette
In dog etiquette, nose to nose interaction might inspire aggression. For best results, let your dog interact with other leashed dogs. Start by acting as a barrier between your dog and the other dog.
This will redirect the dogs to sniff each other’s rears. Proceed to the side by side walking if the first step goes smoothly.
5. Keep an Eye on Your Pup’s Health
Do not expose your puppy to contaminated park conditions before he is 16 weeks old. By this age, he will have completed his vaccine shots and become less susceptible to catching fatal diseases.
Instead of confining him at home, you can kickstart socialization in a hygienic and carefully managed playgroup.
6. Stay in Control
No matter what happens, always remain calm and in control. Be consistent with training and correct your dog every time he makes mistakes. This is necessary both for your peace and your dog’s.
For example, your dog may playfully jump on other dogs which are seen as a sign of aggression and may result in aggressive retaliation by other dogs.
If you are having trouble keeping your dog in check, check out the TBI bark collar. This digitized collar sends your dog a warning beep and mild vibration to discourage bad behavior.
With regular use, your dog will refrain from bad behavior to prevent facing unpleasant consequences.
Conclusion
It might take several months to a year to fully train a dog. However, by using the above advice and being consistent with training, your puppy will eventually become a trained pooch in no time.
