Essential Dog Training Tips for New Pet Owners
You can't just focus on playing with your puppy! Japanese dog trainer Takashi Kanakura reminds us that there are three major training steps that must be started while the puppy is still young. Doing so will definitely save you a lot of trouble in the future!
When you hear this, you might think, "My dog is already grown; do I still need to train it?" Actually, no matter the age of your dog, it is never too late to start training!
As long as we are patient and consistently accumulate training bit by bit, they can still learn very well.
1. Building a Sense of Security: The Importance of Crate Training
Crate Training: is what Takashi Kanakura emphasizes as the first and most important lesson for dogs. This involves getting your dog used to staying in a crate from a young age, which turns out to be incredibly useful!
For example, when you go out, your dog will calmly rest at home without anxiety or mischief. If you need to leave your pet at a boarding kennel or take them to the vet, they will remain calm. During car rides, keeping your dog in a crate can significantly enhance safety.
More importantly, in emergencies such as earthquakes or typhoons that require evacuation, dogs accustomed to crates from a young age tend to be much calmer and more secure than others.
Training Tips
- Make your dog associate "going into the crate" with good things happening, like treats or toys.
- Don't rush the process. Take it slow and gradually increase the time your dog spends in the crate.
2. Essential Guide to House Training Your Dog
The key to comfortable home life is house training. According to Takashi Kanakura, a strong recommendation is to teach your dog to use the toilet inside your home from an early age. This way, on rainy days, typhoon days, or when your dog is sick, you won't have to force them outside.
Sometimes, even when a puppy has learned to go in a designated spot, they might suddenly urinate randomly again after a few days. This is actually quite common. For example, female dogs tend to have less control before their heat cycle; male dogs may start marking territory as they mature. When you encounter such situations, don't be anxious. Simply go back to the initial training steps and start over.
Training Tips
- Immediately praise your dog when you see them successfully relieving themselves in the right place.
- Keep training until they are about one year old, and the chances of accidents will significantly decrease.
3. Happy Socialization: The Third Training - Walking Training
Takashi Kanakura points out that the most important thing during a puppy's early stage is to make them feel that "walking = happy time." The outside world is full of things they have never seen before, sounds they have never heard, and smells they have never smelled. All of these stimulate their sensory development and help them become calm and steady dogs.
Walking is also the best time for socialization training, allowing your dog to meet different people and dogs, learning to interact kindly.
Training Tips:
- Many dogs initially dislike wearing collars or leashes, which is completely normal. Do not pull hard; instead, accompany them patiently to get familiar and comfortable.
- Do not take your puppy to dog parks to make friends right away as that can be too overwhelming for them. Start from safe and familiar people or dogs, and gradually let them get used to new experiences to achieve good socialization results.
Three Essential Training Foundations for Puppies
Building a strong foundation during the puppy stage is crucial. The three key training areas to focus on are crate training, toilet training, and leash walking.
These fundamentals ensure that your dog can live a calm, happy, and well-adjusted life. Please guide your puppy's growth with an abundance of love and patience!
