Patience is often considered a virtue, but when it comes to training a puppy, it’s a necessity.
I’ve been working closely with new puppy owners, and a common theme I’ve noticed is a lack of patience. While I commend them for getting training early on, it’s important to understand that a puppy won’t be obedient right away. Just like a baby doesn’t know calculus upon birth, a puppy isn’t born knowing how to behave as we want.
New puppy owners often struggle with common challenges:
- The puppy doesn’t potty outside right away.
- The puppy mouths and chews on everything.
- The puppy doesn’t come when called.
- The puppy doesn’t sit when told.
- The puppy doesn’t stop biting and chewing.
I’ve even had a client suggest putting an e-collar on a puppy because it was acting like a puppy. It’s important to remember that puppies are still learning.
For puppy owners with children, I often ask, "Do you let your infant crawl around without supervision?" That’s when the light bulb goes off, and they begin to understand. A puppy is essentially a four-legged infant with one big difference—they move much faster, and they have sharp teeth.
Some clients resist crate training, thinking it’s like caging a puppy. I remind them, “When you had to leave your infant alone, where did you put them? A playpen or crib, right?” Did your baby like it every time? Probably not. But it was for safety, just like a crate is for a puppy.
Now, let's talk about potty training. Allowing a new puppy to roam the house unsupervised will lead to accidents, ruined flooring, and lots of frustration. Just like a child, a puppy needs to learn bladder control. Most puppies can hold it by 4 to 6 months, though some might take 9 to 12 months. Until then, keep your puppy on a leash, tethered to you, or in a crate.
While dogs mature faster than children, they still go through similar phases: infancy, adolescence, and adulthood. You must approach each phase with patience and understanding. If your puppy doesn’t learn a new behavior immediately, it’s not because they’re stubborn; it’s because they don’t yet understand what you’re teaching them. Like children, puppies learn at different rates.
I’ve trained puppies that, by 12 weeks, could sit, stay, come, and shake on cue. Others, like children with ADHD, take much longer to focus and learn.
So, how do you train a puppy? Slowly, with plenty of patience. Keep training sessions short—10 to 15 minutes—and avoid getting frustrated. Puppies, like children, may try to put the square peg in the round hole, but we don’t punish them for it.
I have a granddaughter who would count from 1 to 10, but skip the number eight. It became comical, but we didn’t scold her for it—she was just learning. The same approach works with puppies.
Regarding the items your puppy chews on, remember that everything is edible to them, much like an infant exploring with their mouth. The best way to prevent chewing is to keep items out of reach. For tips on puppy-proofing your home, check out my blog.
When it comes to basic obedience, teaching your puppy to sit, lie down, and come is usually straightforward. However, teaching them to “stay” can be more challenging. Puppies, like young children, have one gear: fast! They don’t yet understand the concept of staying still. A great way to help your puppy settle is with plenty of walks or playdates with other puppies. When they’re quiet, praise them with a “Good dog, settle.”
If your puppy is jumping on you and ruining your clothes, remember: they just want attention. The solution is simple: teach them to sit. If they’re jumping on you or furniture, don’t touch them. Instead, tell them “off” and toss a treat on the floor.
For rowdy puppies, you can use a tether with an eye screw, attaching it to the wall near where you sit. Place a mat for your puppy to lay on next to the tether. They won’t be able to jump on you, and after some whining, they’ll settle down. Praise them when they do.
The tether also prevents your puppy from chewing on things they shouldn’t.
So, if you’re considering getting a new puppy, remember that training requires patience. But with the right approach, you’ll both get there in time.