Today I introduce to you my “dog training tips for dog owners” series. Over the next few weeks I will post some quick training tips that you can practice with your pup.

Dog training can be a little overwhelming, but it’s so important whether your dog is a new puppy or an older rescue.  My first tip, patience,  is very important. You know how sometimes we will set aside some time to do an activity that we love? Well, it’s the same with training. You MUST set aside time each day to spend training your dog. I remember when we first got Sophie, my Mini Dachshund, I spent so much time working on house breaking and basic commands. Mini Dachshunds are very stubborn, so it was extremely challenging, but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did because she is such a great dog now. The results you get really will depend on the effort you put in to training your dog. Remember, if you have a puppy, he/she is just a baby and is really relying on you to teach him/her about the world, so patience is key. If you have a rescue, you may not know all his/her history, so you don’t know if your new fur baby has ever been taught before. I recommend setting aside 20 – 30 minutes per day as this is pretty much the length of time for which they will be most receptive. After 30 minutes dogs, especially puppies, will lose focus and just get bored.

Remember that you are communicating with your pup who speaks a different language. Your dog wants, more than anything, to understand what you want him/her to do, but it will take some time and patience on your part. Give your pup plenty of time to understand what you expect from him/her. Be persistent. Be patient and most of all, give lots of cuddles and love.

Stay tuned for tip #2- Consistency

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