When you buy a puppy, one of the most important things you can do for them is to start training them early. Puppies are incredibly receptive to new information and experiences, so the earlier you start training, the better. And what better way to train your puppy than with positive reinforcement? How? Here are some puppy training tips for positive reinforcement.
Use What Your Puppy Wants
Positive reinforcement is a type of operant conditioning that rewards desired behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. In other words, when your puppy does something you want them to do, you give them positive reinforcement so they understand that they did something good. Typically, trainers and most pet owners use treats for positive reinforcement.
However, not every puppy is the same. Some like treats while others are just content with simple words of affirmation. That said, get to know what your puppy wants – is it a toy? Food? Belly rubs? Or a simple “good girl/boy” will do?
Knowing what your puppy wants is helpful for positive reinforcement. If they don’t care about the treat you’re offering, then they’re not going to be motivated to perform the desired behavior.
Be Consistent with Rewards
Another one of the most important things to remember when training your puppy is to be consistent with your rewards. Dogs are very smart and they will quickly catch on to which behaviors are being rewarded and which are not. If you only give a treat for sitting sometimes, but not always, your puppy will get confused and may start to think that sitting is not what you want him to do. This can lead to frustration on both your part and your puppy’s part, and make the training process take much longer.
To avoid this, it is important to be consistent with your rewards every single time your puppy does the desired behavior. This means that if you usually give a treat when he sits, you should always give a treat when he sits. The same goes for if you usually pet him or give him a toy when he sits. Whatever rewards you use, make sure you use them every time so that your puppy knows that he is doing exactly what you want him to do. Consistency is key when training your puppy, so make sure you always reward the desired behavior to ensure successful and speedy training.
Don’t Punish Your Puppy
Punishing your dog when they do something wrong can actually be detrimental to its training. For instance, your pup chewed your shoe. If you punish them, they are more likely to become anxious and stressed. And eventually, this could lead to further behavioral problems.
Instead, focus on rewarding your dog for desired behaviors to help reinforce desired actions. If they’re trying to chew on something, for example, experts in puppy training tips advice to simply say “no” to stop them from doing it or you can also replace the thing they’re chewing with something else that’s safe for them to chew.
Ask an Expert
If you want to buy a puppy but don’t know where to start with positive reinforcement training, you can always ask an expert. They will give you new puppy tips to help you train your new fur baby better. Plus, they can give you more pieces of advice on how you can keep them healthy as they grow.
Princess Puppies Can Give Puppy Training Tips When You Buy a Puppy
If you’re considering buying a new addition to your family, Princess Puppies is a great place to buy a puppy in Lena, LA. We can also give you some great tips on how to train your new puppy.
We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about puppy training; just dial 318-613-2898 and we’ll assist you right away.
318-613-2898
