Bringing your puppy home for the first time is naturally a happy and exciting occasion, but it can be a little daunting too – there is so much for both you and your puppy to learn! The information below should help you on your way to raising a happy and well trained dog right from the start.
Important training tips:
- Start as you mean to go on. If you are always consistent you will avoid confusing your puppy.
- Puppies have a very short attention span so train for short spells on a regular basis.
- Keep it short and keep it simple, but most of all keep it fun - puppies respond better to cheerful voice tones rather than to threatening orders. Gentle play builds trust and a strong bond between you and your puppy as well as making training enjoyable.
- Patience is the key ingredient in dog training. If you try to rush things you will only get frustrated and confuse your puppy.
- Keep it interesting. Cultivate a range of different rewards incorporating play, fuss, praise, treats and toys - this will stop both of you from getting bored.
A "Trained" Min Pin
Is A "Happy" Min Pin
Housetraining aside, every puppy also needs to be taught good manners and have constructive lessons in basic control and social interaction. This includes:
- Responding to its name.
- Learning how to greet and behave politely around other people and dogs.
- To come back when called.
- To walk nicely on the lead.
- To sit down and stay on command.
- To allow itself to be groomed and examined by you and your vet.
Dog Training Classes
Most owners can benefit from attending good training classes, and training in the company of other dogs is very useful, because of the realistic distractions it involves. Ideally, you should start your classes as soon as your puppy’s vaccinations are complete, but classes can be invaluable for older dogs too, and continue throughout the dog’s life.
There are lots of schools of thought on dog training and it is naturally important that you find a class and training instructors with the right approach for you and your puppy. Dog training can be lots of fun and very rewarding. After all, a trained dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog makes for a happy owner too.
Finding the Best Dog Training Club
Before enrolling with a dog training club it can be beneficial to go and visit several classes first (without your puppy) to make sure you have made the right choice. Things you may wish to consider include:
Do you like what you see – are the trainers friendly, are people happy and enjoying training their dogs? - Are the dogs happily focused on their human family? - Are the instructors giving lots of encouragement and information to all attendees? - Are the instructors maintaining a controlled, safe environment for all? - Are instructors treating everyone fairly and meeting the needs of the whole group?
You can find training classes by using the Kennel Club’s Find a Club service – visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk to find a club near you running training classes, or call the Kennel Club on 01269 318540. You can also ask your vet and other dog owners for recommendations.
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme is the UK’s largest dog training programme, and has been introduced to assist owners in training their dogs to be obedient in every day situations. Its simple but effective dog training techniques encompass all the skills necessary for a happy and rewarding partnership with your dog.
There are four levels of the Scheme, namely Puppy Foundation, Silver, Bronze and Gold. Each level is designed to further develop an owner’s understanding of training, while building a dog’s confidence and levels of obedience.All dogs are eligible to take part, whether they are young or old, pedigree or crossbreed. Over 2000 dog training schools throughout the UK offer Scheme training courses.
Visit the Kennel Club site for more details: www.thekennelclub.org.uk
Puppy Advice
Read through our Puppy pages for useful info about owning a young Min Pin.
Puppy
Socialisation Advice
Puppy
Exercise Advice
Puppy
Training Advice
Puppy
Diet Advice
Puppy
Grooming Advice
Puppy
Worming Advice
