January is National Train Your Dog Month, and it’s a great time to teach an old dog new tricks (or train that new puppy!). Here’s a roundup of our favorite ways to train a dog:
Puppy Training 101 – The very basics of puppy training: teaching your pup designated areas for eating, sleeping, and going potty, learning their name, and the coup d’état: how to sit!
Potty Training a Puppy Fast – Using our tried-and-true tactics, you can do it in 7 days; you just have to be diligent and ready to reward, with the understanding that pups will always have the occasional potty-training mistake. If you’ve rescued a senior dog who needs a little guidance, we also cover potty training an older dog.
Train Your Puppy to Stop Biting – Teething puppies have a bad habit of biting. Here’s how to nip it in the bud.
Crate Training Your Puppy – Depending on your views, crate training can be a valuable tool in raising your puppy. We go through the types of crates, some tips, and the benefits of training.
Dealing with Dog Separation Anxiety – A few tips to try before consulting your vet on how to keep separation anxiety at bay.
Training a Dog to Run – Not from you, but with you! Here’s how to build endurance so you can exercise with your pup.
Agility Training 101 – Before enrolling in some professional agility training courses, here is a rundown of what to expect and how to determine if your dog is ready. (Bonus: agility training is great winter exercise for dogs!)
If you need professional help, don’t despair! Puppies and older dogs alike need to interact with other people, other dogs, and new environments to be well adjusted and healthy, and sometimes the best way to go about socializing your pup is through obedience classes.
Remember that the benefits of training your dog go far beyond visible behavior, as training instills good manners in your pup, helps keep them safe, and makes them agile mentally and physically. Training your dog opens up a whole new world for them, and in return, teaches you a thing or two about dog behavior. As they learn, we learn. Plus, you build an incredible bond, which is why we get these little critters in the first place.
