From the first moment of understanding and recognition between humans and canines, a sense of trust was slowly established, blossoming into a relationship based on love and respect.
Today, every puppy owner knows to train their puppy for a well-rounded canine citizen. Training your dog creates harmony in your house, gives your pup a sense of confidence, prevents rehoming, and keeps everyone safe when interacting out in the world and at home.
The road to training a puppy can be both a rewarding and frustrating experience. Some dog breeds are eager to please their humans and respond well to simple training. Other puppies may be intelligent but have a mind of their own, paying you no attention at all due to their independent, stubborn personalities. Certain dog breeds will need extensive training using particular methods to rein in strong instincts such as prey drive or guarding.
All puppy owners will need to explore the best method for basic puppy commands to teach a dog. Puppies are very impressionable and form deep connections during those early months of growth and development. The most important factor is to research popular training methods for puppies to choose the one you’d like to begin on Day One based on the knowledge you learn when you’re researching the right dog breed for you. It is your job as a responsible puppy owner to set the tone in your own home for living with a puppy. That’s why it’s important to know which method you’d like to try as soon as your puppy reaches your loving arms for the first time.
Each February, Dog Training Education Month emphasizes the benefits of training your dog to be the best it can be while forming a deep bond. Let’s celebrate Dog Training Education Month this February by examining the best training methods for puppies so you can choose an effective method for you.
What Makes a Good Training Method For Puppies?
When you’re considering becoming a puppy owner, you may be overwhelmed by all the different puppy training techniques you uncover as you search deeper looking for the one that you think might work. It’s also difficult to fully commit to one if you haven’t even met your puppy yet, even though you’ve done your research on the breed.
The best method for puppy training meets a few simple criteria: Consistency and positivity.
It’s crucial to be consistent with your efforts when training your puppy. You cannot expect a single session in one afternoon to suffice. It’s all about building those brain connections and practicing new skills to encourage further good behavior. Using the same command variation will also give clear directions for your puppy as well as offering high-value rewards.
Keep an upbeat, happy attitude no matter which puppy training method you choose. You can still be firm yet gentle and positive at the same time. You want to get your puppy excited to please you, so having the right mindset will allow you and your puppy to get the most out of each session.
The importance of having patience
Along the training journey, you will want to throw in the towel for that session and might even wish to completely give up. Countless moments of frustration may give you feelings of despair and hopelessness – and we’ve been there, so we know we’re not exaggerating! When you’re at the end of your tug-of-war rope with training your puppy, it’s time to take a step back.
Being in control of our emotions will help us make rational decisions rather than those based on what we’re feeling in the heat of the moment. Many of us get carried away and act out of frustration. However, you have to maintain composure to never let your anger or frustration get the best of you.
Never hit your puppy or use harsh training methods. Your puppy will learn to fear you, and you will break the trust and bond you have built with your puppy. Always step away to recenter, calm yourself, and try again.
When Do I Call a Professional Dog Trainer or Animal Behaviorist?
The true answer is it’s up to you! Some puppy owners want to get professional training assistance right away, especially if they are first-time puppy parents. Several facilities and dog trainers will hold puppy kindergarten classes beginning as soon as your puppy has received the core vaccinations all puppies need. Others will offer intensive boarding boot camp-style training at their facility for a few weeks at a time. A trainer can give your dog individual attention to assess what is working and what needs to change, and you rely on their expertise to make adjustments and introduce new methods into your daily routine. There is a program out there to fit your puppy’s needs. Feel free to get recommendations from other puppy owners and interview trainers before you decide on a program.
However, just because you contact an expert doesn’t mean you can just leave all the hard work to a dog training professional. The important thing to do is to use what the dog trainer teaches you and reinforce those values and behaviors at home with your puppy. Remember, training is an ongoing process that needs consistency. Your dog trainer is a part of your team and not the only one responsible for results.
Popular Dog Training Methods to Explore
We offer a high-level view of a variety of puppy training methods you can learn about to make an informed decision. Some of these methods have components that overlap, but you’ll feel confident knowing the basics.
Classical conditioning: Pavlov’s Dogs
Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov’s research at the turn of the 20th century was groundbreaking work in the field of psychology. He noticed dogs would salivate not only when food was in front of them naturally but also whenever they saw the lab assistants who brought the food. Pavlov decided to test his theory that dogs’ brains can link unrelated stimuli through repeated pairings. He rang a bell each time the dogs saw food, therefore making a new connection that the bell indicated food was coming.
Pavlov’s dogs experiment, also known as Pavlovian conditioning, examines the relationship between an unconditioned stimulus that already brings about the response (drooling at food) paired with a new stimulus (a ringing bell means food is coming), so it in turn brings about the same response as the original stimuli.
Operant conditioning & positive reinforcement
While classical conditioning happens naturally, operant conditioning is when dogs learn their behavior has consequences, whether good or bad. One example is positive reinforcement training in puppies, where you reward your puppy for following your command or exhibiting good behavior you like to see. The keys to successful positive reinforcement connections are choosing high-value treats like bits of liver or chicken and showing lots of vocal praise by rewarding your puppy immediately after the desired behavior to get their associations fixed in their brains.
An example of an accidental operant conditioning experience is when your dog barks at you during a work call as you fumble with the mute button, tossing him a bone to silence him. Your dog has just learned that barking will get him treats even if you didn’t mean to! Whoops! Luckily, you can try again to reward him when he is quiet instead of barking.
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Clicker training
In addition to positive reinforcement, many owners choose to use the clicker training method for puppies. You press a small piece of plastic that makes a clicking noise at the right moment the desired behavior occurs. Your puppy gets a treat after the clicking noise. They’ll learn the clicking noise means a treat is coming if they repeat that particular behavior associated with the click. Then it’s treat time! Clicker training works with even the most basic commands like holding eye contact or teaching your puppy its name. It can also be useful when potty training your puppy.
Mirror training
Mirror training for dogs is based on the idea that your puppy reflects what you are doing well – or not. If you want your puppy to perform, change the way you interact with them rather than putting it all on your dog. Mirror training, also called the model-rival method, is where you offer your puppy rewards for mimicking good behavior based on a task or command you model to your dog. You then reward your dog when they perform the desired behavior. Mirror training capitalizes on a dog’s social nature in a pack as they learn how to interact with others.
Relationship-based training
While all puppy training methods are based on mutual respect, relationship-based training for puppies focuses on understanding how your puppy operates with its needs and personality. By anticipating their needs and reading canine body language, you can use your intuition to time training sessions during optimal times.
For example, rather than punishing your dog because it won’t walk on a leash properly, perhaps you didn’t give him a chance to get his zoomies out and he’s bringing pent-up energy to the session. You can try again to model good behavior when your puppy’s needs are met and they are in the right frame of mind.
Controversial puppy training methods
There is a set of training techniques for puppies that might have been accepted at one time but are frowned upon in modern times or cause controversy. Many of these, if even used, should occur under the supervision of an extremely experienced dog trainer or animal behaviorist. These methods include the use of prong or shock collars, alpha dog dominance training, and worst, using force or fear and intimidation tactics to try to get your dog to submit.
Specialized Dog Training Opportunities
Once your puppy has mastered the basic training commands using a method of your choice, you may decide to go further and utilize their services and skills to assist humans with tasks where dogs get superior results over a human’s capability.
Specialized training typically begins anywhere from 4-6 months depending on your chosen purpose for extended training. It’s important to decide early on what you’d like your dog to be trained in so you can match up the timeline and qualifications. You could “give” your dog a job or participate in dog sports.
Some dogs with jobs receive specialized training, such as:
- Guide dogs
- Therapy dogs
- Bomb-sniffing dogs
- Sheepherding dogs
- Medical detection dogs
- Search and rescue dogs
- Protection and guard dogs
- Dogs in the military and police force
Dog sports are a great way to bond with your puppy while getting in the exercise they need in a fun, encouraging environment. Flyball, agility, obedience, dock diving, rally for dogs, and more canine endeavors give human participants a sense of camaraderie with other like-minded dog owners. Your dog will also appreciate the chance to keep their brains sharp and body active.
Train a Pawrade Puppy
No matter which training method for puppies you choose, there’s nothing more rewarding than that first little spark where your new puppy responds to its name. It encourages you to keep going to train your puppy to be your best friend.
If you’re looking for a furry friend to bond with, browse through our puppies for sale. Our Puppy Concierge team will walk you through our seamless, secure puppy adoption process to find the puppy of your dreams.
