How to Train a Puppy: 10 Top Tips from an Experienced Puppy Trainer Vancouver

Essential Puppy Training Tips from a Professional Dog Trainer

How to train a puppy. A Great Dane puppy rests his chin on the back of Border Collie, Kya. Puppy socialization is an important part of puppy training.

How to Raise a Puppy & When do You Start to Train a Puppy?

Puppy Training begins now

The day has come to welcome your puppy. The love is flowing over, the excitement in the air is joyful the memories are just beginning. Selfies, shopping, puppy breath, squeals of enjoyment, life couldn’t get any better than this moment.

This blog is to help you through the many questions new puppy owners have about how to train a puppy. I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.

Needs are different than Wants

Question #1

What do I need to buy a puppy? Bed, 3 puppy toys, one for teething, two for play, a soft tug toy to play Tug of War, and a bouncy type toy. No tennis balls because they have harmful dangerous felt on them. I steer clients away from buying rope toys, due to the strands which fall out and the pup may ingest. Once a toy has been expired, shredded, insides pulled out. Throw away into the trash.

Question #2

Should I crate train my puppy? Absolutely Yes! Teaching a pup to have it’s own safe space, den, quiet spot is beneficial. Additionally when teaching about crate training this often has unimaginable benefits later in life when you fly or travel with your dog. Even when a dog goes to a vet, kennel or the dog groomers. This removes the anxiety of confinement.

Question #3

What do I buy to walk my dog? Martingale Collar and a 5 or 6 foot leash is the only thing you need, safe, helpful, gives you the control and makes your life easier. What not to buy will be everything else. Don’t fall victim to anti pull harnesses, that’s a marketing gimmick to rip off dog owners. Harnesses are terrible for puppies and dogs from escaping and getting hit by cars. Retractable leashes are dangerous and cumbersome.

Stay away from shock collars, prong collars, buckle collars.

Question #4

Should I implement routine for a puppy? No, this is non-negotiable. Here is why, routine is the devil to your dogs brain, the pup will learn nasty behaviours about control and demands. This typically begins to show up after the age of 18months. Animals are not routine, people might be. Dogs are not. The negative effects on a dog later in life which are brought on with routine are sad to witness. Dogs will have a greater time adjusting to change. Once there schedule is impacted from moving, life change anything which tilts away from routine now becomes a threat and behaviour issue. Many dogs who are routine taught are less confident, less adaptable and struggle with anything out of the ordinary.

Question #5

Should I buy dog treats to teach tricks? No!

Question #6

When do I start training my puppy? Immediately. Puppies are learning all of the time, everything they see, hear and do is a learning moment. This is a precious time and a limited time for the puppy sponge to take in everything. Everyday of learning good behaviours early on during the imprinting stage. Is hugely beneficial.

Question #7

What food do I feed a puppy? Raw is the best decision. Dogs are animals and processed food is less healthy in my opinion. Dog poops are smaller and the water consumption in dry dog food increases up to 8 times.

Schnoodle puppy, Rudy, stands by a dog bowl in the kitchen. A couple of puppy feeding tips: feed your puppy raw dog food about three times a day until they are about 5 or 6 months old and then twice a day.

Question #8

Where should I walk my puppy? The forest, go to a forest asap. Have the puppy follow you over logs, boulders and allow the pup to begin problem solving. Puppies are resilient. They love challenges and problem solving when they are exploring. Take the puppy out to tumble, run, frolic. Do the least amount of talking during this outing. You will soon see your pup follow you and learn you are the leader. 

Border Collie Blue Heeler puppy, Bodhi, climbs over a log in the forest. How to Train a puppy? Get them out into the forest where they can encounter logs, boulders, and varying terrain, as puppy love the physical and mental challenges and problem solving.

Question #9

How often should I pick up my puppy? Occasionally you should to condition the pup and let the puppy know you can physically handle the pup. This is important later on when the veterinarian, vet techs or dog groomers handle your puppy. We want the puppy to learn it's okay to be handled.

Should you pick a puppy up? Brad Pattison, Vancouver Dog Trainer and Dog behaviourist, picks up his Australian Shepherd puppy, Rocket. It's good for a puppy to know that you can physically handle them.

Question #10

How often should I feed my puppy? Start with three or four small meals a day, taper it down over a couple months to two meals a day when the puppy is 5 to 6 months of age.

About the Author

Written by Brad Pattison, World-Renowned Dog Behaviourist, Dog Trainer & Puppy Trainer

Author of four dog training books, National Best Seller, "Brad Pattison UNLEASHED"

Host of three television shows including, "At the End of My Leash" & "Puppy SOS"

Follow us on socials, IG: @hustleupdogs & Facebook: Hustle Up Dog Training

Email us anytime with questions & comments at info@hustleupdogtraining.ca

For further information call CA +1 (250) 317-0274