A Guide on How to Train a New Puppy

A new puppy can be a joy but they are just as capable of being a nuisance. Some of the problems that puppies are known for are chewing up items and of course making a mess on the floor being the most popular. I've seen people who will take their dog out, the dog will urinate outside and then come back inside and urinate on the floor 10 minutes later. I've seen puppies chew up a new $100 pair of leather shoes and completely destroy them. Now I know they're just "playing" and that's what puppies do but between the stained carpet and the chewed up shoes, your new puppy can begin costing you some serious money. You need to learn how to train a new puppy and it's not as hard as you may think.

What NOT To Do

First of all, as cute as a new puppy is, do NOT get one if you don't have the time to spend with the animal. If they are left alone for 40 plus hours a week, it will be very difficult to train a new puppy.

Don't smack them with rolled up newspapers or anything else. Striking them is not necessary and often will end up making your puppy fearful of you or they may turn into a mean grown dog eventually and you don't want that.

Don't get a puppy if after they're grown, you're just going to end up chaining them to a doghouse or tree. That is no kind of life for your dog.

That being said, let's discuss some of the things you can do to effectively train a new puppy.

First, get the puppy on a schedule. How often do you normally use the bathroom in a day? Puppies and dogs aren't much different than us in this respect. Just like taking medicine. Take your puppy out in the morning when you wake, again during the day sometime around lunchtime (give or take 1 to 2 hours), again after dinner and one last time before you go to bed. Being taken out on a regular schedule like that will greatly lessen the chances of your puppy having an accident on your floor.

If they don't have running room on your property, take them for at least one walk a day. Stop by a field or the park with a Frisbee. They'll love that. Puppies and dogs need exercise too.

Give your puppy their own space. A bed of their own that is designated ONLY for your puppy is a great way to help keep them off your furniture. If you don't want your puppy or dog on your furniture, a dogie bed is essential. A white or tan puppy on a burgundy sofa is NOT a good thing.

Now your puppy is going to screw up. This training thing is a LEARNING PROCESS for your puppy. Patience is a MUST when training a new puppy.

Noise

A loud and disruptive noise will stop your puppy in his tracks. Take a STEEL coffee can and put a handful of pennies in it. Do that with a few of them and place them around the house for easy access. Every-time that puppy squats, tries to get into the garbage, jump on the table or couch or anything that you don't want your puppy to do, shake that can. It's noisy and irritating for us but your puppy will hate it. Your puppy will almost always stop what they're doing as soon as you do that. That will give you the opportunity to take the puppy outside, lead him to his bed, or remove him from the situation where he is dis-obeying you.

Water

Get a few squirt guns. Not super-soakers, just regular squirt guns and arm yourself. Every-time the puppy begins doing something that he shouldn't do, give him a squirt of water to his face. It's harmless, painless, and will usually stop your puppy in his tracks. Go ahead and have a little fun with it. Get yourself a holster to carry your squirt gun and practice your quick draw. Become an excellent marksman while training a new puppy.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to get everyone in your family on the same page in how you choose to train a new puppy. These techniques must be used CONSISTANTLY by everyone in your house and those in regular contact with the animal.

Congratulations! You've just learned some effective, and non abusive techniques on how to train a new puppy. Put them to work!

A new puppy is cute, playful, lovable and a joy to have around if you can keep them from destroying your home or property. These above techniques can aid you in making your puppy become an obedient and fun member of your family. Have fun and enjoy your new puppy!