There is no denying the absolute cuteness of that little face and those big eyes. You can’t get over just how funny it is when he trips over his big paws – and even getting up at night to reassure a whining puppy seems a worthy sacrifice.
But let’s face it, at some point, even the most adorable puppy can begin to strain the nerves a bit. Comes a time when you realize that training will be necessary in order to move forward into a long and happy life together – but how early is too early to consider puppy training?
Many people think that training cannot begin until puppies are five or six months old. But experts say that waiting until this juvenile stage is upon your pet may cause unnecessary problems. By 6 months your dog is beginning to develop their adult behavioral patterns – and bad behaviors learned in puppyhood may already be established. Sadly, this is often the reason that many juvenile dogs are abandoned at shelters as their humans get exasperated.
This is why early and professional dog training is so important – so that learned behaviors will not need to be undone. Puppies are capable of learning quite a bit from an early age; in fact, puppies are consistently learning from birth. You can actually begin formally training your puppy as early as 2 months.
How Do You Train a 7-week Old Puppy?
When training begins at 7 to 8 weeks of age, methods which rely on positive reinforcement and gentle teaching will be most effective. Puppy training sessions should occur daily, but be short and non-stressful. Obviously, young puppies exhibit short attention spans, but simple obedience commands such as “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” are not outside of their capabilities.
Puppy training for dogs from 2-6 months includes disciplines in behaviors such as impulse control, crate training, house training, walking basics, mouthing, and dealing with environmental challenges. Your puppy will need to learn normal daily routines, such as where food is located, where it is appropriate to sleep, and where he goes to the bathroom. All of these skills are necessary to help your puppy become a happy, well-adjusted adult dog.
Should I Consider Training Programs?
Training puppies to respond predictably and reliably listen to commands requires consistent repetition. It takes time and discipline. You may wish to get professional help from expert trainers who can help you.
Training classes are useful in several ways.
- Trainers can demonstrate techniques and guide you through the correct steps to take so training is done right the first time.
- Expert coaches can be an invaluable resource when you need advice regarding problems you encounter while training puppies.
- Training classes for young puppies are an effective way to socialize your new puppy, whether it be to new people, other dogs, or various stimuli.
- Training puppies beginning at the age of 2 months helps to prevent problems before they begin and address them as they emerge. This is far better than correcting behaviors later in development.
Since the primary socialization period for dogs ends by 3 months of age, puppy socialization classes are most valuable for puppies 8 weeks of age and older.
If you just brought a new puppy home, and are dedicated to training it correctly, call the experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training. From puppy training to play care, we always have the best interests of your pet at heart.
