Puppy Training and Boarding: Tips for a Successful Experience

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a fun and exciting time, but it’s important to remember that puppies require a lot of attention and training to become well-behaved members of your household. If you’re planning on traveling or need to be away from home for an extended period of time, you may also need to consider puppy boarding (and why not get that pup trained at the same time?). In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips for puppy training and boarding to ensure a successful experience for both you and your new puppy.

Puppy Training Tips

1. Start early: The earlier you begin training your puppy, the easier it will be to establish good habits. Puppies are like sponges, and they soak up information quickly during their first few months of life. Dog Dynamix accepts puppies as young as 10 weeks of age!
2. Consistency is key: Puppies thrive on routine and consistency. Be sure to establish a consistent feeding and potty schedule, and stick to it as closely as possible. Any time you are not able to directly supervise your puppy, they should be confined!
3. Positive reinforcement: When training your puppy, focus on positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior with treats, toys, or verbal praise. This will help your puppy understand what behaviors are desirable. Prevent bad behaviors from happening by keeping your puppy on a leash in the house, using your crate, and not overwhelming your puppy with high distractions.
4. Be patient: Training a puppy takes time and patience. Don’t expect your puppy to learn everything overnight. Consistency and repetition will eventually pay off.
5. Socialization: Socializing your puppy APPROPRIATELY with other dogs and people is crucial to their development. Expose them to different environments, people, and dogs early on to help prevent fear and anxiety later in life. Make sure to do this in a way that your puppy is not overly excited, nervous, or fearful. When in doubt, call a dog trainer for help.

Puppy Boarding Tips

1. Research boarding and training facilities: Before choosing a board and train facility for your puppy, do your research. Look for a facility that is clean, well-maintained, and has trained staff members who are experienced in caring for puppies.
2. Vaccinations: Be sure that your puppy’s vaccinations are up to date before boarding. This will help protect them from potential illnesses that can be spread in an environment where dogs are cohabitating.
3. Communication: Be sure to communicate any special needs or instructions to the boarding facility. This may include dietary restrictions, medication schedules, or behavioral concerns.
4. Follow-up: When you return to pick up your puppy, make sure there is a lesson to go over what your puppy learned, and to discuss their behavior and any concerns that arose during their stay. This will help you better understand your puppy’s needs and behavior moving forward, and teach you how to maintain their new skills.

In conclusion, puppy training and boarding can be a very positive experience for both you and your puppy if you take the time to prepare and plan ahead. With consistency, patience, and lots of positive reinforcement, you can help your puppy become a well-behaved member of your household. Our Perfect Puppy Program is the gold standard in puppy to adult dog training. Call us today for more information!