Dog training should begin the very first day you bring your seven-to-eight-week-old puppy home. However, many inexperienced dog owners are afraid to start training their new puppy at such an early age. They have a training phobia which makes them think that starting certain training methods and obedience protocols with a young puppy may cause the dog to not like them. In addition to this worry, they are also afraid that they may injure the new puppy.
If you fall into this category of a new dog owner who has the same dog training phobias, then it is time to educate yourself on the truth. The fact is that early dog training will help to create an even stronger bond between you and the pupppy than if you waited until he is older. And as far as worrying about hurting the little guy, injuries should be nonexistent so long as you are gentle.
Another misconception when it comes to training a young puppy is the idea that you must have a very loud and authoritative voice when giving commands. This is not necessary. And of course, if your commands are too loud and too scary to the young puppy, he is sure to walk away from you. All you have to do is be firm but loving. Dog training does not have to be rough.
The same goes for your personality. One does not have to carry themselves in a dominant manner when training a young puppy. Just like using too loud of a voice, if you create an overly dominant presence in front of a young pup then he will likely be afraid of you.
Avoid Using Guilt When Training A Young Puppy
In order to step in and start puppy training successfully, be sure to do so without the use of guilt. This is another falsehood that many inexperienced dog owners tend to follow. They think that by using guilt it is going to make more of an impact on their puppy. In a way, they are right – an impact will surely be made and it will not be a positive one!
And finally, ignore the impulse to pressure your puppy into learning a command or playing a game that he may not be interested in. While your goal is to get him involved in training, you must learn how to balance it along with what he wants to do. Remember that this is not an adult dog and everything needs to be fun for your puppy without high pressure tactics and unnecessary guilt techniques.
