Tips For Puppy Training

David Burton
Nov 6 · 6 min read

Having raised many a litter of puppies and trained English Springer Spaniel gun dogs, here are my tips for puppy training.

It is critical, when you bring your puppy home at eight weeks old, that training begins immediately. It is also important for everyone in the household to agree and stick to a training plan in order that it is effective. The best way to achieve this is to use a proven training plan that everyone can consult and refer to.

Note: this article contains affiliate links to offers. If you purchase an offer, then I may receive a commission.

When To Begin Training Your Puppy

Puppies begin learning as soon as their eyes are open and they start exploring the world. If you are lucky enough to have bred your own litter of puppies, then you can begin training immediately.

However, purchasing a puppy will mean that you will receive it after it has been weaned — this is widely regarded as being at eight weeks old. So your training will begin when your puppy is 8-weeks old.

Golden Retriever Puppy — outside for the first time and looking cute
Golden Retriever Puppy — outside for the first time and looking cute

Before You Start Training

As mentioned at the start of this article, it is important to have a training plan and that everyone who will be involved with the puppy understands and follows the plan.

Consistency in the way the puppy is trained and treated will mean that the training will be more effective and the puppy will not receive conflicting messages. So, get a reputable training plan, stick to it rigidly and ensure that everyone else does too.

Need help with choosing a training plan? See this resource which may provide the guidance you need (affiliate link).

The First Few Days

The first few days are extremely important. You, your family and the puppy are eager to play and get to know each other. It is at this time that pre-established rules are broken. You must be firm and resolute, and keep everyone on the agreed training plan.

Remember that your new puppy has just been separated from her mom and siblings. Your puppy will be vulnerable and very impressionable. What the puppy needs initially is a regular routine in order to feel secure.

Decide amongst yourselves who will be responsible for feeding, toileting and walking the puppy. Sticking to a regular routine will quickly reinforce the good behaviour you want from your puppy.

Tips for puppy training does not include sitting in a feed bowl as this puppy is.
Tips for puppy training does not include sitting in a feed bowl as this puppy is.

Puppy Training Tips

  1. Choose a simple, easily pronounced name
  2. Keep commands simple, single words
  3. Be consistent with commands and routine
  4. Use voice intonation to reinforce a command
  5. Keep training sessions short
  6. Use every opportunity for training
  7. Reward your puppy with praise
  8. Provide a safe place for your puppy
  9. Make training fun
  10. Don’t be disheartened with failure

Choosing A Name For Your Puppy

Choosing a simple, single syllable name for your puppy will help with recognition of its name and be quickly reinforced. Typical names are Fluff, Shep, Max, Beth, Earl, Dot, Spot and Todd.

Use Simple, Single Word Commands

A dog will more easily understand a single word command than a long, convoluted sentence. I train our puppies to understand and respond to such commands as Sit, Down, Heel, Walk, Stay, Leave and No.

Consistent Commands and Routine

Ensure all those who interact with your puppy understand the commands you are using. A printed list of commands is a useful tool to achieve this. It can also serve to record the commands that your puppy understands.

A simple, routine rigorously enforced gives your puppy the security it needs in the first few weeks with you. Again, a print out of your puppy’s daily routine will help you and other family members stick to it.

Need help with choosing a training plan? See this resource which may provide the guidance you need (affiliate link).

Keep Training Sessions Short

Your puppy will have a short attention span, so short 5-minute training sessions are ideal. It is better to have half a dozen 5-minute training sessions spread throughout the day, than have three 10 or 15-minute sessions.

Use Voice Intonation

A puppy can be trained to a whistle, clicker or to the sound of words. A puppy responds to the sound of a word the manner in which it is delivered. Use a deep voiced, serious tone for “No” or “Leave”. And use a higher-toned, more excited voice for praise such as “Good Dog”.

Use a normally toned voice for everyday commands like “Sit”, “Walk”, “Down”. You should not need to raise your voice or shout in order to get a puppy to respond to you.

Use Praise Instead Of Treats

A puppy, and a dog, just want to please you. Attention is what they crave. Giving your puppy attention and praise is far more rewarding for the puppy and also stops the bad behaviour of begging.

Always Be Training

Whilst this tip seems to contradict the short training session advice, it really means that your interaction with your puppy should also be governed by the good behaviour you want the puppy to display.

Don’t let you puppy behave badly during play session — use your “No” command and terminate the play session.

Providing a Safe Place For You Puppy

It is important that you puppy has a place of sanctuary where it can go to and feel safe. This might be a crate or a pen. Both provide a place where your puppy can go to relax and sleep. It is also an opportunity to introduce your puppy to confinement — for periods when you are absent.

Make Training Fun

Train your puppy inside the house and outside. Your puppy needs to get used to ignoring distractions and just pay attention to you. Intermix training and play so that your puppy learns that a command from yourself takes precedence over everything else.

Always end training with your puppy on a positive note. For example, if you are introducing a new command and the puppy is still learning how to respond, then end the training session by issuing a command that your puppy can respond to and then you can end the training session with lots of praise and attention.

Be Persistent

Be persistent and don’t be dis-heartened by failure. It takes time for a puppy to learn what is right and what is wrong behaviour. Simple, un-stressed repetitive training will yield the results you desire.

Giving up on training, or being half-hearted about it, will leads to bad behavioural traits that will be difficult to correct.

Four English Spring Spaniel puppies in a cage  awaiting training
Four English Spring Spaniel puppies in a cage  awaiting training
English Spring Spaniel Puppies Awaiting Training

Dealing With Bad Puppy Behaviour

You should deal with bad behaviour immediately. Use the know command and place your puppy in its cage or pen. Tolerating bad behaviour will only encourage your puppy to persist. Bad behaviour includes biting, barking, jumping-up, chewing furniture, etc.

Need help dealing with bad puppy behaviour? You might find this resource useful (affiliate link).

David Burton

Written by

Dog owner and trainer with a passion for the more ethereal side of like

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