Are you wondering when to start puppy training?
Before you adopt this little bundle of joy, there are some things you need to know! Training your puppy is not only fun. But you’ll be setting up a daily routine that will empower your puppy to make good decisions for themselves.
By helping them want to respond to your requests and signals, your puppy will become happier, more outgoing, and well-adopted.
You got this! Here are some basics to help you decide when to train your puppy. Read on!
Understanding Puppy Cognitive Development
It is essential to understand puppy cognitive development so that you can start puppy training at the right time. Puppies learn best at certain stages of their growth and development.
During the socialization period from three to twelve weeks of age, puppies respond well to positive stimuli and learn through both imitation and repetition. Between four and six months, puppies are able to understand basic commands. It is important to give them consistent and kind training.
During this period, it is best to reward attractive behaviors. Use only positive reinforcement and avoid any punishment or harsh discipline.
After six months, puppies’ cognitive development is more mature. They can start learning more advanced commands and begin to develop their own behavior patterns.
Benefits of Early Puppy Training
By training at an early age, you will reinforce desired behaviors while discouraging undesirable ones, as well as laying the foundations for good behavior that will stay throughout the pup’s lifetime.
Additionally, it helps promote socialization. Puppies learn to be more comfortable with and sociable toward individuals, as well as with other animals and different environments. Puppies trained early are more likely to mature into well-rounded, emotionally balanced adults.
Establishing a Training Foundation
Early training should focus on socialization, obedience, and manners, like the training done in dog training Oahu. Socialization helps puppies become comfortable around new environments, people, and animals. Training the basics like “sit,” “down,” and “come” can be accomplished with rewards and repetition.
Teaching manners like not jumping on people or chewing on furniture can be done by distraction or redirecting bad behavior to a proper one as soon as it starts.
When it comes to potty training puppy, the earlier, the better. Ideally, you should start potty training as soon as you get your puppy home. The sooner you start, the quicker they’ll learn and become toilet-trained.
It is important to remember that puppies have short attention spans. Their sessions should be kept short and positive, with lots of praise and treats. Consistency is key. Many gains made may be erased if there’s uneven treatment or rules for different people in the household.
Once ready for advanced training, or maybe you just need help to train a puppy, enroll them in puppy classes or dog training classes right away.
Start Puppy Training Early
Puppy training is best started between 8-14 weeks. Early socialization is important for a happy and healthy puppy. With consistent and positive training, puppies can achieve basic skills and become well-mannered companions.
Start training your puppy today and enjoy the lifelong relationship you develop together!
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