We all want to have an obedient dog, right? A dog you can take to different places and meet other dogs and people with, without having to feel embarrassed. It’s important to start training your puppy with simple cues as early as possible.

Puppy training isn’t just teaching your dog to sit on a cue. It provides them with important mental stimulation which helps reduce boredom and unwanted behaviours. A tired puppy won’t have energy to destroy your favorite shoes.  Our qualified dog trainer in Sydney recommends to start training your puppy as soon as they come home using positive reinforcement and enrolling in puppy school.

Here’s training tips from our private dog training school in Sydney.

Have regular, short puppy training sessions

Puppies have a short attention span so holding their attention is key to fostering good habits.

Choose your words wisely

Keeping the word you use as the cue as simple as possible is your best plan of attack. Use short, one word cues like ‘sit’ or ‘down’, as these are less confusing for your puppy.

Use the right treats

Puppies often respond well to treats as training rewards but after a few sessions you may soon discover that they are losing value. Try different types of treat to find the high value ones that work around distractions.

Be consistent in your words and actions

Your puppy is constantly learning from your reactions, so what you say and how you say it matters. Take into account the words you use, your tone of voice and body language. When you’re in puppy training mode, it’s vital that you praise and command your puppy consistently. Keep up a positive tone as training should always be fun.

Don’t lose your temper

It’s important to remain level-headed and refrain from getting frustrated or angry with your puppy. Try to remember that not only is your puppy still young, they’re also simply doing what dogs do. Physical punishment is not an acceptable way to train a puppy, and can lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviours later on.

Enrol in puppy school

Puppy school is as much training for you as it is for your puppy. It teaches you how to understand your puppy and the key methods of training them, and teaches your puppy basic manners. Puppy school also gives your pet the opportunity to socialise with other puppies and people. This is important for your puppy to grow into a well-adjusted dog that isn’t fearful or aggressive in new situations.