Where you should focus your energy for the first few weeks.
Puppies can be a lot! Use your first weeks with your puppy to work on skills that make life easier and build your puppy's confidence.
Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time, but it also comes with the responsibility of training. While potty training is an obvious skill to work on immediately, there are several other foundational skills that can set your puppy up for success. In this post, we'll explore five essential skills we've been focusing on since our puppy, Finn, joined our family.
Skill #1: Name Recognition
Name recognition is a crucial first step in communicating with your puppy. Here's how we've been working on this skill:
We chose Finn's name before bringing him home, allowing his breeder to start using it.
We practice name recognition daily as a specific skill.
Finn excels in low-distraction environments but needs more practice around distractions.
Remember, for a young puppy, almost everything is a distraction!
Tip: Use your puppy's name and follow it with a treat to build a strong association.
Skill #2: Drop It
This potentially life-saving cue is essential for every dog. Our approach, inspired by service dog trainer Sharon Waschler, involves:
Conditioning the words "Drop It" by pairing them with treats.
Teaching the puppy that these words predict something wonderful.
Encouraging the puppy to open their mouth to eat the treat, naturally leading to dropping items.
We also use a separate phrase, "Whatcha got?", for less formal situations:
Used for household items like socks or remote controls.
Offers an immediate treat exchange.
Allows "Drop it" to remain a more formal training cue.
Tip: Consistency is key. Practice in various environments with different objects.
Skill #3: New Stuff is Fun!
Socialization is crucial for puppies. Our approach focuses on:
Exposing Finn to a variety of curated locations and experiences.
Keeping visits short to prevent overwhelming him.
Reading his body language to ensure he feels safe and comfortable.
Teaching him that it's okay to retreat if he's unsure.
Some socialization activities we've tried:
Visiting new parks
Watching little league games from a distance
Visiting the grooming salon for a "Meet & treat"
Visiting a garden center
Tip: Always end socialization sessions on a positive note, before your puppy gets overwhelmed or tired.
Skill #4: Settling
Teaching your puppy to calm down is as important as teaching active behaviors. Our settling practice includes:
Working on settling in various locations.
Teaching Finn to settle after excitement.
Using short play sessions (about 1 minute) followed by settling practice.
Avoiding over-stimulation that can lead to manic behavior.
Tip: Use a special "settle mat" to create a portable calm-down spot for your puppy.
Skill #5: Positive Interrupter
This skill helps redirect unwanted behaviors quickly and positively. Here's how it works:
Choose a unique sound or word.
Pair the sound with treats to "power it up".
Use the sound to interrupt unwanted behaviors like chewing furniture or getting into unsafe areas.
Reward your puppy for responding to the interrupter.
Tip: This skill can be a lifesaver in potentially dangerous situations and a sanity saver for everyday annoyances.
Why these 5?
While there are countless skills to teach a puppy, these five form a solid foundation for future learning and immediate behavior management:
They focus on safety (Drop It, Positive Interrupter) and skill foundations (Name Recognition).
They help with socialization (New Stuff is Fun!) and emotional regulation (Settling).
They're achievable goals for a young puppy in their first few weeks at home.
Remember, puppy training is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on these foundational skills early on, you're setting your puppy up for a lifetime of good behavior and a strong bond with you. As your puppy grows, you'll have plenty of time to build on these basics and teach more advanced skills.
Want to help build a great foundation with your puppy or a new dog? Or continue to build on skills? Schedule a call with me!
Comments