Tips for training your new dog while you’re stuck at home

Many of our happiest moments in life always include having a special person or companion with us, full of unconditional support and love. While you might not always be able to count on humans to be the source of unconditional love, you can always count on your pets. A domestic pet like a dog is a cherished and loved part of the family. The peace and warmth these four-legged members provide is rare.

In the current situation, while everyone is stuck at home with nothing much to do than ponder over our existence and cook delicious meals, you can also productively use the unwanted free time, by training your dog. 

Choose the right name

If your family’s first pet is a dog and no one has experience handling one, it can get a bit difficult during the initial few weeks. Dogs are incredibly enthusiastic and affectionate, which means they will drool all over you and all of your guests if you do not give them the necessary training.

The first thing to do is choose a name for your pet and use the dog’s name in a positive manner, associated with other good things in your pet’s life like walks and treats.

The next step is to teach him to come to you when called by his name. Use positive reinforcement and appreciation every time he comes to you and exercise each training step repeatedly so that it can be appropriately associated with his brain.

Train your dog at home

Now, just like humans and our plethora of personality traits, dogs have unique characteristics, some are lazy, some are very active, some might be smarter than others, and on it goes. You have to observe such traits and train your newest family member accordingly.

Do not forget to give him rewards like treats or just plenty of hugs and love every time he obeys an order; this will indicate to him that he is on the right track. 

Also, do not reward his bad behavior, even if you might be feeling sympathetic; it will confuse him and extend the training period.

The training period should always end on a happy, enthusiastic note. Praising him and showing affection will make him eager to learn and obey orders, and the training will be more natural for you to conduct. If you feel discouraged, don’t. It takes time and effort to get your amazing pup trained well. I also suggest you take the time to read some amazing pet training books. CoolThingsChicago published this article on the best pet training books in 2020. Take a look.

Stop jumping and biting

Now, one universal common factor in almost all the dogs, irrespective of breeds or genders, is their energetic jumpy way of greeting you, which usually ends with their fur stuck on every inch of your clothing. During your training, you can also discourage this over-enthusiastic form of greeting by simply ignoring your dog and not paying any attention to him every time he jumps up on you in that manner. 

Similarly, before some of your favorite pairs of footwear are chewed on and shredded by those sharp canines, you can train your dog to stop by exchanging the shoe with a toy, which he would prefer anyway.

Some dogs also show their love in the form of biting, and it can get a bit dangerous if you have small children in your family and for your guests too. To prevent this bad habit, you can act as if you are injured whenever he starts biting or gnawing. Your reaction will astound the dog, and if you’re lucky, he’ll stop.

Dogs are adorable pets with an endless supply of love for you. Make sure the training period is enjoyable for you both and take good care of your newest family member.

Sharon Vaughn is an award-winning content writer. She has expertise in writing about pet advice, dogs, and animal care.

Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success