How to Train a Puppy and Keep Your Sanity

If you ask around for advice on how to train a puppy, you will find that everyone certainly has their own opinion on the subject. However, despite the variation with little tips and tricks that you'll stumble across, experts will agree on a few puppy training techniques that work on every breed. Some methods that work for one dog, may not work for another but core puppy training methods will work across the board.

Become the Leader

You will hear this over and over again from anyone telling you how to train a puppy because it's extremely important. It doesn't matter if you have a little Dachshund or a Great Pyrenees, you have to establish yourself as the leader if you want to be successful in training your puppy.

From the time you bring your new furry friend home, proper puppy training techniques need to be implemented. Your dog doesn't automatically understand that you're in charge, as far as he's concerned, you're part of his pack. So, when you're learning how to train a puppy, how exactly do you become a leader?

It takes time and constant gestures of leadership to assume this role. Even after your dog understands you're in charge, you should continue to instill the same puppy training techniques through adulthood. Little things like always walking through the door before him to go outside or requiring him to sit for a few seconds before you tell him that it's okay for him to attack his food bowl are easy things you can do on a daily basis.

Be Consistent! Be Consistent! Be Consistent!

Yes, it may seem like there's a broken record playing sometimes when you're learning how to train a puppy but they learn by repetition so consistency is key. Now, this applies to all areas of training! You can't let your dog jump on you one day and expect him to not do it the next nor can you switch command words on him. Whichever puppy training techniques you use, you must stick with them. If you don't, your puppy will get confused, you will both get frustrated and you'll take one giant step backwards in training.

Socialization is Key

Socialization plays a key role when you're learning how to train a puppy. Any breed can be territorial and aggressive when they are taught from an early age that not everything is a threat. On the other hand, every breed can also be gentle and friendly when they're fearless enough to be comfortable in new surroundings. A poorly socialized dog who views everything as a threat is much more likely to attack out of fear than one who is alert and takes the time to determine if he is actually in danger.

Are you wondering how socialization has anything to do with you learning how to train a puppy? Well, puppies who have been introduced to people, animals and new environments have less behavioral problems. Concerns such as barking or growling at people passing by or nipping at children are rarely an issue because they are confident enough to handle new situations.

Socializing should begin immediately! Weeks 9 through 12 make up a crucial period in a puppy's life, affecting long-term behavioral traits. Take your puppy to the park, encourage others to pet him and allow him to sniff around and even say hello to other dogs. The more time you invest in socialization, the better behaved your puppy will be and the easier time you will have with the rest of your puppy training techniques.

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