training a puppy?
I’ve never owned a dog, always been a cat person, but now that my 10 year old son and i are settled down, we’d like to get one. We’d like to get a puppy, but i don’t even know where to begin on training. I intend to pay for obedience training, but don’t know where to begin or what to expect with house breaking. How long does it usually take? What methods work best, etc. Any info you can give would be great. I’ve been reading up on some thing, but the house breaking seems to be the trickiest.
Thanks!
How do you like to be trained? Positive trianing methods are best. Aren’t you more eager to learn when you get rewarded? I really like clicker training, but you need to know how to do it right. Classes are a great way for both you and your son (make him go too) to learn how to be good dog owners and how to have a well behaved dog.
As for concerns about house breaking, it is all about the routines and positive reinforcement. Always go out side about 15-20 minutes after the puppy eats. Stay outside and play until they go potty and poopy. Take small bits of treats out with you and give them a treat and lots of praise for pottying outside. Set them up for success and stay outside until they do both. Also make frequent trips outside, about every 2 hours – set a timer. This too will help them to put it together. Stay outside and play and when they piddle, reward with a small piece of treat and praise and go inside. You may need to get up in the middle of the night for a little bit, but they grow out of it quickly. Accidents usually happen because you did not notice their signs that they needed to go outside. So just interrupt them and go outside and be more aware of your potty routine to keep accidents from happening.
German Shepherd puppy obedience training – 4.5 months old
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