Puppy Training Skills Your Pup Needs to Know

Puppies are energetic and curious, and they need guidance to grow into well-mannered dogs. That’s why teaching solid foundation skills is the role of their carer and guide. These early life lessons set the stage for reliable behaviour well into the future.

Whether you’re in Auckland or anywhere else, these tips will help you create a well-rounded dog who understands what behaviour works and what behaviour doesn't.

The 'puppy' stage lasts through several key developmental stages, timings do vary depending on breed size.

1. The 'Critical socialisation period' (imprinting stage) 3-12 weeks, where they are most open to new experiences and learn quickly.

2. The 'Jeuvenile stage', 4-6 months, where they begin to test boundaries and understand they can affect outcomes through their own behaviour.

3. The Adholscent stage, 6-12/18months, where behaviours may deteriate, cues ignored and bad habits slip in, consistent training now pays big dividends.

Beginning early will save you loads of time and stress, and these simple skills are easy to teach. However, it's never too late to add to your dogs toolkit with these foundation skills. Always start where ever you are.

Why Puppy Foundation Skills Matter

When you start teaching your puppy early, you give them a roadmap for life. With clear guidance, puppies can develop habits that withstand the twists and turns of life later. These skills help your puppy feel safe and confident.

Plus, training sessions are the perfect way to get to know your pup. You learn to trust them, your puppy learns to trust you and understand what behaviours work.

Four Key Puppy Foundation Skills to Focus On

To start with, keep things simple and consistent. Choose training times when your pup is well rested, calm and toileted. This helps them focus and learn faster.

Try to ignore their mistakes and redirect and reward them with treats and praise when they get things right.

Here are four skills to work on with your puppy.

1. Knowing their name.

Your puppy needs to know their name and feel good when they hear it. If you yell or use a harsh tone when you say your puppy's name, it can 'poison' their name and the training that follows won't be as effective. If you suspect this has happened, when it comes to the recall training use the word 'Come' or similar.

Sitting or standing in front of your pup, say their name in a bright, calm tone, and reward with a treat when they look at you. Repeat often.

2. Recall (Coming When Called).

This skill may save your pup’s life one day.

• Start in a quiet space (your living room) and call your puppy’s name. When they come to you, reward them, then move away and call again, your movement will motivate them to follow you, reward and repeat.

• Keep training sessions short and positive. Always use a bright voice, saying their name just once, finishing the session before they are tired (5-10 minutes).

• When they understand the game play it everywhere, in the garden, different rooms in the house, and on walks. Let them get to the end of the lead and call them back to you and reward, and send them off again to 'go sniff'.

• Gradually play in more distracting environments, if it's too hard for your dog and they don't come, make it easier by going back to less distracting situations and build up again.

• You'll build muscle memory and it will become automatic for your dog to come when called.

NB: Call just once and always reward your dog for coming, even if they've been a little slow. Your dog will understand that coming to you is always rewarding and not the end of the fun.

3. Loose Lead Walking

Start in a quiet space (your living room, hallway or the garden).

• Walk slowly around the room. When they are beside you, feed them a treat while you continue to walk.

• Keep feeding them in the position you want them to walk.

• Gradually add distractions like another person, music or another location. Your pup quickly learns that walking beside you gets them good things.

Add the lead: Place some treats on the ground while you put the lead on. Let it drag behind them. This makes the lead a neutral item and stops them from becoming excited when you get it out.

4. Socialisation.

Expose your puppy to a variety of positive experiences: different people, places, sounds, and well-socialised older dogs.

• Keep these experiences controlled and short so your pup doesn't become overwhelmed. If things get too much, move away to reduce the intensity.

• If you are at a park, move away from the action and drop some treats on the ground for your pup to sniff them out. This will shift their focus and reduce stress.

Remember, puppies have short attention spans and are still building their resilience. Keep these interactions controlled, short and positive.

Helpful Tips for Your Puppy Training Success

Here's are some practical tips that have worked wonders for me and many others:

Use Treats your dog loves

• Find treats your puppy loves. Line up 4-5 different treats and see which your pup eats first, that's their treat of choice.

Training times

• Try to train at the same times each day, often after they've napped and toileted works best.

• Plays some engagement games. Throw a treat for them to chase and find to get them interested in working with you. Puppies thrive on predictability.

Keep it positive

• Try not to get frustrated, yell or use physical punishment. It will make your pup reluctant to engage in the training if you lose your cool.

• A puppy, like a small child learns best in a relaxed, fun environment.

Use Play and Toys

• Games are an easy way for your pup to learn and toys can be used as rewards too.

• If your pup is very food motivated that's a good reward. If they prefer toys offer them as a reward to finish the session.

Time your sessions to suit your pup

• If your puppy seems tired or distracted, pause the session and try again later.

If you want more detailed dog training tips, there are plenty of resources available to guide you through each step.

For the best place to get puppy training in Auckland:

Our comprehensive 1:1 puppy training sessions or to solve behaviour issues contact me.

Happy training!