There are several skills that your puppy needs to master to be manageable at home. It is your responsibility to teach these skills to your dog. But what are the most fundamental skills to teach your puppy?
When your puppy comes, your top objectives will most likely be bonding, toilet training, early medical visits, and addressing their diet and stomach issues. After a week or two or three, you can start doing some fun work with them like skills, manners, commands, tricks, and so on.
Crate Training
It’s a good idea to get your puppy used to their kennel from day one to week one. They must understand that it is a secure haven to rest and recover from the stimulation that abounds inside and outside their home. Puppies sleep often, and you’ll need to take breaks for errands, chores, or work. If you can keep your puppy in its crate during that period, your life will be easier and safer for both of you.
Crate training your puppy from a young age will also assist your dog in avoiding separation anxiety should you have to leave for an extended amount of time.
Socialization
Your puppy must be exposed to various people, dogs, and animals early. Driving your puppy about town and taking them to pet-friendly hardware stores or grocery stores (in the cart if they are very young) with lots of treats is a terrific approach to start teaching your puppy that people aren’t all scary. Consult your veterinarian about the best technique and timing to do this based on your puppy’s vaccine schedule and any other health concerns.
Basic Commands
Not all commands are created equal. Some commands may be able to save your puppy’s life.
Knowing Their Name
Teaching your puppy’s name is an excellent place to start, and it will come effortlessly because you will be saying it frequently while you pet, feed, and take them pee. When they go potty, you can praise them and reinforce their behavior by saying things like “Good boy, Grayson!” or “Good Potty Outside!” Prepare treats and give them to your puppy when they give you their attention, especially after you speak their name. This is the start of developing good recall.
Approaching Upon Command
This one takes time, so begin early and don’t expect perfection immediately. Be gentle with yourself and your puppy, and don’t give up!
Learning to Sit
Sit is generally the first command dogs learn because it is valuable for many circumstances. In truth, most dogs “sit” on their own, so you only need to link the order to the behavior.
When your dog stands, place a treat in front of her nose and slowly lift it to the back of her head. Her bum will fall when her head follows the treat up. Say “yes!” when her bum touches the floor and hand over the treat.
Once your dog consistently sits with the reward lure, you can switch to a hand signal and spoken command.
Learning to Stay Down
Down is also useful, but most trainers advocate teaching sit first because it is usually easier and makes transitioning to down easier.