Learning to how to train a puppy will be a lot more successful if you record everything you do. If that sounds a little too simple, it can and will make a big difference to your success and enjoyment, as it's a very useful record of what has worked, and will help you identify techniques that work when teaching new tricks. Your records are your future training tips showing what your dog responds to, and anything that proved harder than expected. No matter what you do in life - the fundamentals are the same. And puppy training is no different - spending time planning increases the odds of doing things right otherwise you'll just be spinning your wheels - and getting nowhere.
Drawing up a plan of action needs to be at the top of your priority list when preparing for train a puppy, because it can only improve the process of making a puppy's or adult dog's transition from his familiar surroundings to the new and strange world you are providing for him. A young pup can suffer separation anxiety when his mother and littermates suddenly disappear, and he is thrust into an entirely new environment with a whole range of new and unknown faces and scents.
And it's not just puppies and young dogs. Fully grown dogs are not immune to bouts of anxiety caused by all the changes that seem to be taking place in their lives. Regardless of their age, your new dog has no idea what awaits in his future; he just sees a new and quite worrying place with none of his friends.
Although it is not always possible, take a few trips to meet your pup while he's still at his "old place". There will be some familiar ground for him then, when he does finally move to your place. When you start out, training a puppy he will already be used to you and better able to learn his new skills. If this is not practical, perhaps you will be able to take something from the dog's former home with you - like maybe a piece of clothing that he's slept on, or pretty much anything with the smell of his old home and help reassure him and survive the feeling of having nothing familiar in his life.
The perfect time to bring your new dog home is at a time when you're going to be at home for a few days to help him settle in and get to know you. A holiday period - a long weekend - or even take a few days off work. The more time you can spend with in these first few days the better. Being there for him in those first few days will help him settle in, and help him overcome any separation anxiety he may experience.
In the same way that we humans make preparations for a new baby, by creating a checklist of things to do and equipment to buy, training your puppy needs to be given the attention to detail. As a new dog carer, you need to prepare your home in just the same way. After all, your new puppy is a new member of the family.
Ideally, fence off an area of your kitchen for your new puppy. This will be his home, as this will help a lot come house training time as accidents can be cleaned up much easier from tiled or lino flooring. The kitchen is an especially suitable place because there is normally a good deal of traffic and noise, which helps prevent your new dog from getting lonely.
Don't forget that a young puppy is accustomed to the companionship of his littermates. Having left them behind he will feel lonely and insecure so your new job is to become his new playmate. But equally important - you must not let the puppy do whatever he chooses for the first few days then start to break his new habits when you train him. Puppy potty training techniques realistically starts the same day that he becomes a member of your family.
Your puppy will get mixed signals if he isn't being taught the rules right away, simply because your rules aren't consistent. Much of these techniques for training a puppy are equally effective when working with older dogs, in pretty much the same way. Young puppies are not the only ones that may suffer from loneliness. Introducing a new dog to your family requires lots of patience, training and consistency. But you'll get your just rewards with a happy and well behaved dog.
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