Puppy Training for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Dog with Crate Training, Potty Training, and Obedience Training

Introduction

Thank you, and congratulations for purchasing the book "Puppy Training for Beginners."

This Puppy Training book contains proven steps and strategies for training and raising your pup into a happy and well-behaved dog.

Puppies can be a handful, but there's no doubt that they are man's best friend! They can lighten your life considerably, but they can also make it worse if not properly trained. This book will teach you how to handle the arrival of a new pup in the house and make sure he turns into your best friend rather than your worst enemy. By the end of this book, your puppy should know all the basic commands and fit perfectly with your now-enriched lifestyle.

We watch our puppies grow, seeing them scamper and often tumble into a clumsy heap while learning all about gravity and balance. Yet, one can't help but smile while our roly-poly fur balls fully enjoy their zest for life.

It may or may not be your first venture into the ownership of a canine companion, but even if it is your second rodeo, there may be some things you want to consider. For example, it may have been a long time since you last had a puppy, and you might need a refresher course on things like choosing the correct breed for you, stocking up on the right supplies, keeping your puppy safe, and even nutrition advice.

I want you to be prepared and know what to expect when you take on the responsibilities of a puppy. Don't misunderstand me; I love dogs and puppies, but they are a commitment, and you have to understand the puppy playbook when it comes to leash training, basic commands, crate training, and potty training.

What makes dogs so popular? They are the only creature around that will give you unconditional love and loyalty. No matter if you had a bad day at work or school or experienced a bitter disappointment, your dog will always greet you at the door, bringing tributes of bones and toys with a tail wagging as hard as possible. They give you everything they have and more.

If you are part of a family, everyone must be part of the decision. It is never fair to the dog if a family member dislikes them, ignores them, or is mean to them. Additionally, dogs will need a primary caretaker and, no matter if your kids swear that they will do it all, it is the adult that will have to make sure that there is clean water, timely feedings, daily walks, and proper care.

Puppies are available from breeders or rescues. Sometimes, through no fault of their own, a puppy will end up languishing in a shelter even if they are a pedigree or a mixed breed. The chances are good that either way, these puppies will all need the same care and training no matter their circumstance.

Along with their cuteness and playfulness, puppies will all need guidance. That's why I am writing down everything I know to ensure both you and your puppy have the best experience possible. I want you both to have the best memories and a bond that will last your puppy's lifetime.

Thanks again for purchasing this book; I hope you enjoy it!

1

Training Fundamentals and Puppy Prep

Puppies are naturally playful, curious, and active. Those traits will be fun most of the time, but to keep your friend safe and protected, you want to help him establish boundaries. The best tip to start with is to think about your puppy like you would a human child. Treat him as if he were a toddler. Here are some puppy training principles that you can use to teach your puppy everything he needs to know to start the journey of becoming your best friend.

Show Affection

Make sure you give your puppy a lot of affection. It is effortless for you to show your puppy that you disapprove of specific behavior, but you also must show the dog a lot of affection when you are proud of his behavior. If the only thing the puppy ever receives is disapproval, he will not build a bond with you, and he will become depressed.

Communicating Your Intentions Clearly

There's nothing wrong with explicitly telling your puppy no, only that it often fails to offer enough information. Instead, you can tell him what you want. Dogs don't usually generalize well, so if the dog jumps on someone in excitement and you say no, he may jump higher or change direction. A better alternative would be to instruct him to sit. Telling him what you want helps avoid confusion.

One of the biggest mistakes when trying to use voice commands is to use too many words. Your dog can associate words, but it takes some time. You'll want a word that is to the point. Finish learning one command before moving on to another. If you move on to other commands too quickly, then your dog may get confused.

Be Consistent

You have to be consistent if you want your puppy to be consistent. For example, you can't work for an hour on a sit command and not take up his training again for a week or two. You have to work on the same command until he gets it right.

Establish routines with your puppy, such as regular feeding times, walk, playtimes, and bathroom breaks. Stick with your routines, and this will help speed up the process. It's not just about training commands, either. For example, a routine for your puppy will help him get up when you do, play when you feel up to it, and eat when you can feed him. This way, you aren't rearranging your schedule to take care of your puppy. Instead, you'll be teaching him to work on your schedule so that he works with you.

If you don't want your puppy to jump on people when they come through the front door, you need to reinforce that expectation every time. Allowing the pup to jump all over your sister, but not your neighbor, will confuse him. Use the sit or stay or heel commands to get your puppy's attention, and do it every time. Be consistent since inconsistencies will only confuse him and prolong the training process.

Be Patient

Don't allow yourself to get frustrated or impatient during the training process—either with yourself or your new puppy. It will take some time to accomplish all the goals you have set for your new pal and for you to get the hang of your puppy's unique personality, likes, and the techniques and rewards that work best for him.

Give your puppy time to understand new commands. He most likely won't learn it the first couple of times when you teach him. Repeat old commands in new training sessions so that he doesn't forget them. The attention span is pretty short, so keep your sessions frequent but short in duration; otherwise, your pup will become bored.

Never get impatient with your puppy or call him to you if you are going to punish him—all that will do is teach him that coming to you is not a good thing. Keep your voice firm but gentle, and never let any frustration creep into it.

Use Repetition

Repetition is key in dog training. For example, ask your dog to sit and give him a treat for the first two times. Then, try a different type of reward for the third time, such as petting and praise. It will teach him that he gets rewarded in different ways by listening to your commands, and this type of repetition can be extremely useful in training your puppy.

Treats and Rewards

Everyone, including puppies, loves treats. You can use these as a reward for good behavior. Dog treats come in all flavors, sizes, and specialties. Soft, meaty treats are very enticing to most puppies, and having a ready supply on hand will help your puppy quickly learn what behaviors are wanted and rewarded. Puppies usually love treats with cheese, peanut butter, or meat flavor—select small treats instead of big ones that require a lot of chewing. The trick with training is to use quick, positive reinforcement and small, bite-sized treats as a perfect reward for your puppy.

Drop a treat into the crate to lure your dog inside. Provide a treat anytime the puppy goes to the bathroom outside or sits and rolls over when commanded. Don't give your dog treats for no reason, as it will confuse the situation because he won't realize he's being rewarded.

Make sure your puppy enjoys the treats you provide. Just because a package claims that dogs like the treat does not mean your puppy will love it. If the dog doesn't enjoy the treat you give him for the behavior you expect of him, he will not be motivated to do what you say.

Your rewards should also vary. For example, if you always give him a treat following a voice command, he will associate the command with food. However, if he doesn't want or need food, then he'll refuse the command. So