Are you starting out 2016 with a puppy? Congratulations on your furry
new arrival! Puppyhood is a crucial time for our canine pals, so little
Fido certainly has a big year ahead of him. In order to get your new
furbaby started out on the right paw in life, you’ll want to make sure
to put some time into training the little guy now, while he’s young.
Basic Commands
Every dog should know the five basic commands of good doggy obedience. These commands, which are
Sit,
Stay,
Come,
Heel, and
Lay Down,
are not only important for petiquette, but for safety reasons as well.
Teach little Fido one command at a time, and make sure he has mastered
each one before moving on to the next.
Crate Training
A crate can be a valuable tool, as long as it’s used properly. It’s
very likely that your pet will at some point need to be crated. This
will be much easier on Fido if he’s already crate trained! Teach your
furbaby to see his crate as a safe, cozy den. To get your furry pal used
to his crate, give him treats, toys, and meals in and around it.
House Training
Needless to say, housetraining is a crucial part of good doggy
petiquette. Start working with your little buddy right away. As a rule
of thumb, puppies can only hold their bladders about an hour for each
month of age, so lots of walks are in order. Of course, there are many
different methods for housetraining. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Not To Beg
Fido may earn an ‘A’ in theater arts for his dramatic begging
tactics, but don’t fall for those big, sad eyes. Begging is bad doggy
manners! If you want to indulge the little guy with a special treat, put
it in his dish.
Social Skills
Socialization is crucial to your pup’s mental and emotional
development! Socialize little Fido by exposing him to friendly people
and dogs, and taking him to different places. Just make sure he’s had
all his shots first, and is current on his parasite control.