Setting out on your journey to learn to train a puppy will be a lot more successful if you record everything you do. That may sound very simple and basic but don’t let that put you off, as it’s a very useful record of what has worked, and look to teach your puppy new tricks as he gets older. Your records are your future training tips showing what your dog responds to, and anything that proved harder than expected. It’s just the same as “normal life” - planning is time well spent to ensure hitting a home run more times than you get it wrong.
Drawing up a plan of action is your first task before you start train a puppy, because it can only improve the process of making a puppy’s or adult dog’s transition from his established and comfortable home to the insecure and brand new home you’ll be giving him. It is a very stressful and worrying event for a puppy when his mother and littermates suddenly disappear, and then is suddenly moved to strange and confusing habitat where there is nothing but unfamiliar people and strange smells.
These emotions don’t just apply to young puppies. It happens with older dogs to - they can get depressed by everything new that happens to them when they get relocated. An adopted adult dog has no idea of all the wonderful plans you may have in store for him; he just sees a new and quite worrying place with none of his friends.
Although it is not always possible, try to get to know your new puppy before he moves in. Doing this will help break the ice between you both and help him get used to you. So, when you get round to, training your puppy he’ll learn a lot quicker as he’ll already be friends with you. If you really can’t fit in a few visits, try taking home something from the current owner that the puppy is familiar with - such as a cushion or familiar toy or anything that will help the dog adjust to his new surroundings and get used to being in an alien environment without the familiar smells and faces.
Pretty much everybody agrees that the best time to introduce your puppy to his new home is at a time when you’re going to be at home for a few days to help him settle in and get to know you. A holiday period - a long weekend - or even take a few days off work. He’ll settle down a lot quicker if you’re there with him 24-7. Spending lots of time with him when he moves in will pay dividends in building your relationship and go a long way to beating his home sickness and stress of leaving his friends.
As humans, we prepare, decorate and equip the home for a new baby by creating a checklist of things to do and equipment to buy, training your puppy should be no different. You should do the same for your new family member.
The perfect place for your new puppy is a cordoned off area in a main living area, because this will make house training your puppy much easier as well because any accidents are easier to clean off hard floors. Kitchens are great places because there is normally a good deal of traffic and noise, as this helps your puppy get accustomed to his new home.
Before you moved your new puppy in with you, he was used to lots of playmates. Without them, he will be lonely so you will need to take their place at least for a few days. At the same time, you shouldn’t allow him free reign round the home for his first week or so then start to break his new habits when you train him. Puppy potty training techniques needs to start on day 1. The day you bring him home, start his training.
Your puppy will get mixed signals if he isn’t being taught the rules right away, as it will confuse him when he finally does start. Much of these techniques for training a puppy apply to the adopted adult dog as well. Young puppies are not the only ones that may suffer from loneliness. All dogs entering a new living arrangement will need discipline, patience, and comfort. However, all your work will pay dividends in the future.
