Every puppy's behavior is a reflection of the training you put into them. So, the best way to train a puppy is to train yourself first. Training a puppy is nothing but learning the right way to communicate with them. A growing puppy will keep looking to you for guidance. Home training ensures that you have complete control over the consistency of commands, cues, and rules. It allows you to tailor the training to your lifestyle, home layout, and specific needs. In order to bring out the best version of your dog, you have to bring out the best version of the trainer within you. Keep reading to learn more.
Puppies learn a lot in their early months. At this age, they are like sponges and absorb every experience with ease. These experiences also leave a lasting impression on their minds, hence it’s crucial to be careful about what you expose them to. It is scientifically proven that puppies learn best when they trust the environment they live in and are able to rely on their pack. Hence, forming a strong bond with your pup must be the first thing every pet parent must focus on. Everything else will just fall into place. Here is a quick table explaining a puppy’s ideal training schedule by age. This information provides a general point of view. Feel free to adopt what suits you and your puppy best and tweak the rest of it depending on your puppy’s learning abilities, personality and needs.
Age of the puppy |
Focus points |
|
8 – 12 weeks |
Potty training Making sure the puppy feels safe in their home environment Getting started with routine setting Introduction to crate training Gradual exposure to a variety of sounds, people and environments |
|
3-4 months |
Healthy socialization (supervised interactions with other animals, people belonging to different genders, ethnicities, exposure to variety of environments, car rides, vet, groomers etc) Boundary setting at home and other environments Basic obedience training |
|
4-6 months |
More exploring Taking basic training a notch up; add 4Ds (Distance, Distraction, Duration and Diversity) Introduction to advanced training such as tricks, strong impulse control, better recall and so on |
|
6 months – 1 year |
By this time you should be following a consistent routine that works best for you and your dog Advanced commands, increase difficulty of the 4Ds Pivoting into specialized training if required (Eg – scent work, trick training, dog sports and so on) |
Dogs reach adolescence by the age of 6 months. This teenage rebellious phase usually lasts for another 6 months. This is when your pup will test your boundaries and patience the most. Dramatic hormonal changes and a reorganisation of the brain are the driving forces of this rebellion. Some dogs mature by the age of 1 year and others may take up to 1.5 to 2 years to reach maturity.
Training a puppy at home is one of the most bonding and rewarding experiences. Did you know, puppy training is known to have confidence-boosting abilities not just for puppies, but also for humans? One of the most common questions we get from puppy parents is, “Where do I start?”
When you see a puppy going bat crap crazy and running wild in the house, the first thought that usually comes to mind is “What do I do with all this energy?” At such times, it’s important to remember that a puppy exhibiting unwanted behaviors is usually the product of unmet needs, lack of training, internal or redirected frustration, lack of exposure and lack of proper stimulation. When it comes to puppy training, a proactive approach is better than a reactive approach. Here are 8 things to focus on when training your puppy in the comforts of your home –
Your training style must be in sync with your inherent personality and the way you naturally express yourself. Your dog is constantly observing you. Communication with your dog will become a lot simpler if the training style comes naturally to you. Make sure to be mindful of what tone your dog responds to best. Some dogs respond well to a loud and clear tone whereas some of them are more responsive to soft, playful mannerisms.
Boundary setting with puppies involves teaching them limits and rules about what behaviors are acceptable and what areas or items are off-limits. Boundary setting applies to animals and humans alike. Eg – If you are raising a toddler and a puppy together, rough play must be off limits right from the start. While it is important to teach your puppy to be gentle around your kid, it is equally crucial to teach your kid to respect your puppy’s boundaries.
Socialization involves gradual and positive exposure to a variety of environmental stimuli such as people, animals, sounds, vehicles, environments, surfaces, people engaging in different activities like biking, skating, cooking, cleaning and so on. Puppies are most open to new experiences between the age of 8-16 weeks. Do not miss out on this period, but remember to not overwhelm your puppy with way too much.
Puppies generally receive all of their vaccinations by the age of 20 weeks. It is best to reserve dog to dog socialization after they have received all of their vaccinations to avoid the potential transmission of any diseases. Several vets recommend waiting till the end of a puppy's vaccinations to socialize them in outdoor environments.
On the other hand, you also do not want your puppy to completely miss out in their crucial socialization window. Make sure to find a safe midway. For instance- when taking a 9 week old puppy to a pet store, carry them in your arms the entire time. This way, you can make sure they are being socialized; at the same time they are protected from potential transmissions.
Basic obedience cues like Sit, Down, Stay, Leave it, Drop it etc help us communicate with our puppies clearly in a variety of situations. Apart from the basic obedience cues, potty training and crate training must be addressed first and foremost. Depending on your lifestyle, you can include other things too. For instance, if you are a working professional, build your puppy’s ability to be independent from the get go.
A puppy that is emotionally bonded to you is more likely to respond to you in different situations as compared to a puppy that is complying out of fear or plain rewards. Focus on building a bond with your pup by thoroughly understanding and favorably responding to their needs and body language.
When teaching a cue to your pup, practice and perfect it at home first. Only once that is done, master it by adding the 4Ds – Duration, Distance, Distraction and Diversity. Generalizing cues will help you achieve environment neutrality and give you a better behaved and a more confident dog at the end of the day.
The needs of a dog are generally dictated by their breed, inherent personality, natural instincts and the environment they live in. A Border Collie would feel highly fulfilled if their intelligence, energy levels, and working dog instincts are used to the fullest extent. This is why they do so well with trick training, sports and herding activities.
Dog Training never really stops. If you’re not teaching something new, you are reinforcing something old. Dogs thrive under routine and structure. Keep life predictable for them with the right influx of adventure and novelty.
There are really no shortcuts to training a dog. There are many out there who promise “quick results” with aversive training. While these techniques are designed to give you instant results, they may be doing more harm than good to your dog. This is because correction without desensitization and teaching the dog alternate behaviors can have disastrous effects on the dog’s psyche. You may see a reduction in a certain behavior, but the internal frustration and cluelessness may just be taking another form through some other behavior.
If you feel frustrated or stuck in your training journey, a little help can go a long way. In person training may not always be feasible. During such times, virtual training can be a blessing. You get to connect with a plethora of certified trainers and receive high quality training within the comforts of your home.
Homeschool by LAY LO is one such program that is designed to help dogs and dog parents achieve their full potential, regardless of your geographic location. We pride in being one of the few virtual training programs that are headed by certified, R+ trainers. From behavioral questions to nutrition tips, our dedicated team is here to answer any questions you have. Based on your dog’s breed, adoption story and your training knowledge, we design custom dog training plans with weekly milestones and homework, which will ensure accountability and keep you the heart of the entire program.
If you google “how to train a puppy at home,” around 43,900,000 results come up! There is an overwhelming amount of information (and misinformation) out there. Puppy training is fun. Trying new things and techniques are even more fun. But it is important to get it right because raising a dog is a long-term responsibility. A healthy mix of DIY and professional help will help you hit that sweet spot with your puppy, especially if you are a first-time puppy parent.
Author Bio: Siddhika is a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, and professional pet writer. Over the course of her dog training career, she has gained 3 certifications accredited by KCAI (Kennel Club Accredited Instructors) in the field of dog training and behavior, viz - Basic obedience course, Therapy Dog Training Course and Canine Aggression Course. She has the qualifications and experience in the theoretical as well as real-life applications of science-based dog training techniques.
With the expertise to write about a plethora of dog-related topics and a personal interest in dog cognition and behavior, Siddhika is an out-and-out canine nerd.
