Puppy Training Basics : Part 1

As a new puppy parent, you’re probably excited, nervous, and  hopeful that your little pup will grow into a well-behaved dog and loyal companion. There is so much to learn about your new pup, so let’s not waste any time and get straight to the important stuff. Good luck!
Puppy Training Begins Immediately
Once you get your little guy (or gal) home, training should start immediately. Don’t waste time fretting over the perfect toys, dog bed, collar color or name. (OK, do pick a good name!) The most important thing that determines the success of your puppy in his early life and turning into a well-behaved dog “teenager” and adult is your relationship with him from day one.
Puppies learn very quickly, and if you don’t start reinforcing good behavior and appropriate behavior from the start, your puppy will start picking up bad habits immediately, and it will be harder to correct these down than the line than if you just start off on the right foot.
You should be prepared to feel a lot of emotions throughout the first few weeks and months of owning a puppy. It’s not easy, believe us, we have years of puppy training experience. There come many frustrations, annoyances, struggles and more. Owning a puppy and raising it to behave well is not a walk in the park.
However, if you follow the tips, guides and steps for training that you will find in this book, your puppy will have the advantages he or she needs to live a successful, full, happy and obedient doggy life.
So, prepare yourself to feel some sadness or frustrations. Be prepared to question your own competence when trying to train. But know that these emotions are also normal responses to puppy ownership. The best thing to do is not get mad at yourself, to be patient with your puppy as well as yourself, and to remain calm, cool and collected.
Dogs are very sensitive to small body language changes, and they will be able to tell when you are sad. This means they might cheer you up with some extra snuggles when you’re feeling down, but it also means if you’re feeling frustrated, stressed or unconfident, your dog will feel the same.
So project confidence, authority and calm to your puppy, and you will find your puppy mirroring back these positive emotions.
Why Is Training So Important?            
Training is of the upmost importance because it is the way you and your pup learn to communicate with each other, and it establishes the groundwork for the relationship you will have throughout your puppy’s entire adult dog life. Training is communication.
If you start building a relationship based on trust, communication, clear expectations, and leading your puppy toward the success of being obedient and gaining new skills, you both will benefit. You will both be happier and feel closer to each other. Training builds trust.
Learning to obey your commands, how to navigate his or her new home, and interact with you is a lot for a new puppy. It is also a lot for a human! Communication is hard in human relationships sometimes, and we have all the advantages of a shared language. So it is more difficult in-between species, especially when one of those partners is but a baby!
So again, remember to bring patience and calm to your training sessions.