The education of a puppy consists of different aspects that are taught through training. A puppy must obey, socialize, be able to stay alone, become house trained, stay in the crate, and continue to see the boss as a pack leader. Raising a puppy takes a lot of time and energy, but by continuing to repeat exercises, the dog will start to show desired behavior.
The boss as pack leader
In nature, dogs assume a hierarchy in which one is the pack leader. In the home situation, a dog has to see its owner as a pack leader. The rest of the family must also be at the top of the ranking. Clear ranking can prevent a dog from taking charge and threatening, growling or biting. The boss must clearly state the rules, be fair and consistent. A clear ranking is created by:
- Obedience training
- Brushing the dog
- First go out the door, followed by the dog
- That the boss determines the schedule of the day, eating, playing and exercise.
- First to eat, then the dog can eat
- Do not stay higher than the dog on the couch, chair or in bed together
Obedience training
A dog learns obedience through a consistent upbringing with clear rules. All family members follow the same rules and use the same words for giving commands. By continuing to repeat this, the puppy will start to display the desired behavior. Don’t forget to keep rewarding desired behavior. Reject undesirable behavior by angrily speaking to the puppy while looking at him with punishment. You can also punish the puppy by ignoring him or tugging on the leash. As the puppy gets older you will have to exercise more authority.
Can a puppy stay alone for a while?
From the moment the puppy comes into its new environment, it has to get used to being alone. Build this up slowly so the puppy learns that you are coming back. Start with a few seconds at a time and praise it when it stays still. Don’t talk to the puppy when you leave, just ignore him. The puppy must learn that it is normal for you to leave and that you always come back.
Resting
A young dog gets tired quickly, rest and regularity are important in the life of a puppy. Do not pet the sleeping puppy as it may startle and bite.
Potty training
A puppy has yet to become house trained and cannot sustain its needs for long. Take him out every two hours. A puppy often goes to the bathroom after eating, after playing and before and after sleeping. You can see from his behavior when he needs to, he starts sniffing or spins around. Often the young dog is so playful and busy discovering the world that he forgets to relieve himself. He does this at home and that is of course not the intention. This can be solved by making a distinction between the exhausts. Sometimes you go out for a walk, the other time just to let the dog do its business.
Socialization
Socialization is necessary to prevent problem behavior in a dog. A puppy must learn to interact with people, other animals and materials in different situations. He will learn this when you take him everywhere and this will remain important for the time being. Make the experiences positive. A dog that has not been properly socialized may be fearful, nervous or aggressive.
Food bowl aggression
A dog can react aggressively if it thinks someone wants to take its food. In nature, an animal is allowed to keep its food for itself, if it is taken away it will defend itself. To avoid aggressive behavior, the dog must learn not to defend its food. Take a small piece of a treat (sausage) in your hand. Manually go to the food bowl, wait for the dog to come, give him the treat, get up and walk away. The dog now learns that he gets a treat when someone comes to his food bowl.
Crate training
The crate is a nice place for the dog because he can relax here. He can also stay here during the day if you go away for a while. The dog cannot destroy things. Give the food or a nice bone in the crate so the dog gets used to it.
Reward / punish
Always reward desired behavior with words of praise, a pat on the back, or a treat. Punish undesirable behavior with angry words, a tug on the leash, or by ignoring him. Punish a dog one to three seconds after the unwanted behavior or he won’t know why he is being punished.