Puppy Training and Socialisation
Training and Behaviour
Just like children, dogs need to be taught good behaviour. Whether you are bringing home a puppy or an adult dog, you can expect that it will do some things that you don’t approve of and maybe some bad habits. Your dog will need to be taught how you want it to behave.
The easiest and most fun way to teach your dog, is to take it to “school”(training classes). You both get to meet other people and dogs. You get the benefit of expert knowledge and immediate feedback. Your dog gets socialisation. It expedites the bonding process immensely! Both of you may even make a new friend there.
You can, also, work on teaching your dog yourself. There are lots of resources available, but it can be difficult to determine which information is bad and which is good. If your dog has habits you’d like to break, don’t give up on it. TEACH it instead! Consistency and Persistency are key. Be consistent with your verbal cues and hand motions “sit” and “sit down” sound very different to a dog. One-word commands combined with a hand signal are best! Be persistent with your training and set aside time to practise every day until (and even after) your dog reliably responds to your commands.
Training also makes dogs happy. Studies on the brain show that animals like to have their brains challenged. The mental exercise can be just as rewarding (and exhausting) to your dog as physical exercise. As long as you use balanced methods to teach your dog, he will LOVE learning. Training also helps your dog understand that they are supposed to take direction from you.
Socialising teaches your dog how to react to the world around it in a healthy way, without unnecessary fear or aggression. Starting early can eliminate additional challenges for both you and your dog. A well-socialised puppy creates a behaved, relaxed, safer dog. If your puppy is comfortable in a wider variety of situations, they’re less likely to use aggression in moments of fear. Not socialising your puppy can lead to dangerous situations in the future.