Best Tips for Puppy Training Success

Bringing a puppy home is one of life’s greatest joys. Those tiny paws, wagging tails, and curious eyes fill your heart with love. But let’s be honest - puppy training can feel like a big challenge. Don’t worry! I’m here to share some warm, friendly advice that will make your journey smoother and more fun. Whether you’re in Chester or nearby, these tips will help you build a strong bond with your furry friend and set them up for success.

Puppy Training Tips That Really Work

Training your puppy is all about patience, consistency, and a sprinkle of playfulness. Puppies are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them. The key is to guide them gently and celebrate every small win.

Here are some practical tips to get you started:

• Start Early and Keep Sessions Short

Puppies have short attention spans. Aim for maximum 5 minute training bursts several times a day. This keeps them engaged without overwhelming them.

• Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward good behaviour with treats, praise, or playtime. This encourages your puppy to repeat those actions. Avoid punishment - it can confuse and scare them.

• Be Consistent with 'Cues' (the word which you want puppy to associate a behaviour with and respond to)

Use the same words and hand gestures for commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come.” Everyone in the household should follow the same rules to avoid mix

ed signals. These will also be a godsend should your dog have hearing problems.

• Socialise Your Puppy

Introduce your puppy to different people, places, and other dogs safely. This helps them grow into a confident, well-rounded dog.

Despite advice that you will often hear about it being a short window to achieve socialisation, science has proven that dogs have the life long ability to learn and rushing this stage can be detrimental. Understand what socialisation actually means.

• Create a Safe Space

A cosy puppy pen, crate or bed gives your puppy a place to relax and feel secure. Make it the best place in the house, ensure puppy just loves being in that safe space.

Remember, every puppy is unique. What works for one might need tweaking for another. The journey is as important as the destination!

Puppy attentively learning cues during training at home. Train while your kettle boils.

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Puppy exploring garden during early socialisation phase

How to Handle Common Puppy Challenges

Puppy training isn’t always smooth sailing. You might face some bumps along the way, but don’t get discouraged! Here’s how to tackle common issues:

• Chewing Everything in Sight

Puppies explore with their mouths, so step one is to puppy proof your home. Provide plenty of chew toys, appropriate chews, licky mats and Kong and redirect them when they go for your shoes or furniture. A house lead is great at this stage, gently redirecting the puppy away from items that they should not chew. Remember that the urge to chew is overwhelming whilst they are teething, it's not personal if they chew something that belongs to you. Never scold, it's your fault if they reach something they shouldn't have. Praise them when they choose the right item.

• House Training Woes

Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals, play, training, visitors, anything exciting and naps of course. Praise them immediately when they have finished toileting outside. Hanging a puppy doorbell on your exit door and brushing the bells yourself to make them jingle will be paired with going outside to toilet, after @ two weeks of you jingling the bells your puppy will begin to jingle the bells to let you know they need to toilet. Accidents will happen - clean them up without fuss, follow it up by removing odour from the toileting spot otherwise puppy will toilet there again. The remaining odour is like an invitation to toilet there again.

• Biting and Nipping

Biting and chewing become heightened during teething nut many other things add to this urge. The most common contributing factor is lack of sleep. Puppies need 20 hours sleep and rest in every 24 hr period, yes that's a lot. Without it they become like a fractious toddler and are more likely to bite, if you are unable to redirect puppy onto something legal, move to another room and place a licky mat in front of them, encourage them to lick which in turn calms puppy down and as soon as possible address the puppy routine to include more sleep and rest.

• Separation Anxiety

Gradually get your puppy used to being alone for short periods, if they feel safe in their pen or lying in their bed then that's a great place to practice, but don't shot the door on the crate or pen. Leave comforting items like a favourite toy or blanket, one they are settled, stay in the same room but occupied with something other than puppy. As puppy relaxes, move a little further away each time until you can finally leave the room without puppy being worried by your absence, Gradually build up time spent alone guided by puppy's calm acceptance..

Puppy happily chewing on a toy to prevent destructive behaviour

Building a Strong Bond Through Training

Training isn’t just about rules - it’s about connection. When you train your puppy with kindness and enthusiasm, you build trust and friendship that lasts a lifetime.

Here’s how to deepen that bond:

• Make Training Fun

Use games, toys, and treats to keep your puppy excited. A happy pup learns faster!

• Be Patient and Positive

Celebrate progress, no matter how small. Avoid frustration - your puppy feels your energy.

• Spend Quality Time Together

Training sessions are perfect moments to focus solely on your pup. This strengthens your relationship.

• Learn To Read Your Puppy’s Body Language

Watch their body language and respond with empathy. This helps you understand their needs and feelings. It will also help you recognise when puppy needs to toilet.

Keep Growing Together: Next Steps in Puppy Training

Your puppy’s training journey is just beginning. As they grow, keep building on the basics and introduce new skills such as training games to build skills for walking on a loose lead, recall, and later even fun tricks. Check out Pups and Pooches Puppy Training Page for more hints and tips.

Training your puppy is a wonderful adventure filled with love, learning, and laughter. With these tips, you’re well on your way to raising a happy, well-behaved dog who’s a joy to be around. Keep you eye on FB for Pups and Pooches Training tips, being posted this week, don't miss out!

Happy training!