New Puppy or dog

We all love new puppies and dogs and welcome them into our families. It is a really exciting time for us.  Sometimes though this can be quite overwhelming for you and your new puppy or dog.

I often get asked when do you start training. There is no set answer, but generally advice is split between puppy and rescue/rehome (dog).

With a puppy I always recommend you start your training straight away. This will also help to tire them out. It only needs a few minutes,  get them engaged while the kettle boils . First stage would be introducing harnesses, leads, and beds.   Most puppies quickly learn  sit and lie down, kettle time will teach the behaviours we want.

These are training steps.

If you are going to using a crate, it will need to be roomy with space for them to stand up move around freely and to make it comfortable and welcoming. This will help your new puppy to settle in and be comfortable and confident a lot quicker. Placing treats and toys in the crate is a good idea, leaving the door open so they can enter and exit when they want will help to create a safe space for them to go to whenever ever they want or need.

It’s a great idea to get your new puppy used to being handled. Giving them treats or food while you are doing this.

Toilet training is one of the main training activities to start with, not all puppies are confident at going outside to the toilet. It is recommended whenever the pup has food or water you then take them outside to encourage them to toilet. Stay with them up to 10 minutes. When they do toilet reward them and make a big fuss of them this will encourage them to toilet outside.  You will need to take them out regularly for toileting, every couple of hours as they have tiny bladders at this age.  If your puppy has an accident in the house, please don’t tell them off as this could lead to hiding to toilet and you don’t find out until the smell hits you.   You will quickly learn to see the signs that your puppy needs to toilet and they will learn how to ask you to be let out. If they do have an accident use a pet odour neutraliser to clean, they will make this a place for toileting, they can smell previous accidents, even if you can’t normal cleaners will not get rid of the smell for them.

We also recommend that you start to socialise your puppy, this doesn’t mean let them run around and causing havoc, which they will love to do 🙂 Taking them to friends and relatives, dog friendly shops. If this before your puppies vaccinations carrying them is ideal. When doing this try not to overwhelm them, small short interactions are best.

With a rescue or a rehome I always suggest that you give these dogs time to decompress and settle a little before starting any training. Give them a safe space where can be alone and quiet. This can be anywhere from crate to under a table or in a quiet corner. Make a comfortable space, but also don’t crowd or allow children to ‘pester’ the new dog. It is a massive upheaval and usually a very scary time for them. Going from people and places that they know to strangers and strange places and smells.

The time needed can be different for each dog. We often  don’t have a true history and what they have been through.

With these dogs getting them to feel comfortable and at ease is the way to start your training Ace Freework is an excellent technique that encourages lots of nose work and investigation. This takes stress off your dog, allows them to settle and it  will really tire them out.  Scent work games are great for this as well.

Once you and your new dog start to get to know each other and relax together you can start behaviour training. This is different for a lot of dogs depending on the owners and your dog’s experience and what you want to achieve.  Not everyone wants a Sheep herding, agility dog but we do want a happy, contented and social one.

J Walkies Dog School have numerous classes, workshops and 1-2-1 packages to help with all of these. You can also check our blog on the website which you might find helpful.

• Training puppy only needs a few minutes a day