Few things in life are as exciting as becoming an aristoparent. The arrival of a puppy in our lives is a unique, special, and unforgettable moment. The connection between you is established with just a glance or a lick. And it's for life.
But having a puppy also brings new worries and concerns, especially for first-time aristoparents. How do I train my dog? What should my role be? What if he doesn't obey me? What if...? The list of questions is endless. That's why today we're going to share with you 10 tips for successfully training your puppy.
1. Give him lots of love and be patient. Your puppy wants to play and discover the world. He's like a child! So don't be a harsh or demanding aristoparent; control your expectations. With patience and love, it's only a matter of time until everything goes well!
2. Decide where he's going to sleep (in your bedroom, in the living room, in the kitchen) and stick to this decision. Some aristoparents get their puppy used to sleeping with them, and after a few months, they expect him to sleep somewhere else. And the puppy interprets that as punishment. That's why this decision is very important: the place you choose for him will become "his place."
3. Let him cry. At first, your puppy will cry when he's alone. But it's completely normal. Of course, it will break your heart, and you'll want to go comfort him (it happens to all of us), but you must restrain yourself. Because if he realizes that when he cries, you come... he won't learn to be alone.
4. Give him the recommended daily amount of puppy food (it varies depending on his size and weight) and always at the same times. Your puppy will try to eat more (they're very greedy when they're young), but part of his training is learning to eat.
5. Teach him to relieve himself outside. It's a matter of patience. Dogs are creatures of habit, so you should take him out at least three or four times a day (always at the same times) so he can relieve himself in the street. This way, he will learn to hold it. Additionally, you can reward him when he does it right. This way, he'll understand that pooping or peeing in the street... gets a reward! This is one of the most important aspects of your puppy's training, so don't expect immediate results. Persevere.
6. Start his socialization as soon as his vaccinations are up to date, so your puppy becomes tolerant of other dogs and people.
7. Teach your puppy to walk. He won't like the leash, but you have to put it on him for safety. Preferably a short one, because puppies don't like to walk... they like to run and do their own thing! Get him used to leaving the house and entering after you, with a command ("let's go" and "come in") and to walk by your side or behind you (never in front, pulling. Because then he'll think he's "the boss").
8. Let him spend time at the park. To enjoy life, socialize, let off steam, get tired, have fun... Don't be afraid to let him be outdoors. Don't become paranoid. Your puppy is small but strong.
9. Teach him to coexist. You'll achieve this by following simple rules. When he does something bad (barking, biting, or breaking something), just say "NO!" to him, seriously and firmly. But only scold him if you catch him in the act; otherwise, he won't understand why you're doing it. Don't hit him or make angry faces.
10. Invest in good supplies for your puppy. Your puppy is part of the family. That's why he deserves the best. In ARISTOSHOP, you'll find everything you need to make him happy and comfortable at home.
We hope these 10 tips for training your puppy will be helpful. You'll see how wonderful and rewarding it is to be an Aristoparent!