New pet owners often experience a mix of excitement and intimidation when the subject of training comes up. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about dog training, in particular. Some new owners believe that their puppies will be too young to learn basic commands, while those who have adopted older dogs may erroneously believe the axiom that old dogs can’t learn new tricks.
The reality is that dogs of any age can benefit from Pet Training in Alexandria VA. Read on to learn about what to focus on and what to expect at different stages of a puppy’s growth and development.
Obedience Training
Puppies will begin developing habits as soon as they open their eyes and begin to interact with the world around them whether they are trained or not. Beginning to teach them basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “down” at around two months of age will help to ensure that the habits they are developing are positive ones. These basic commands also come with the benefit of being easy to teach using a technique called food-luring, in which trainers use treats to motivate their puppies to perform the desired commands.
From around 7 to 16 weeks of age, puppies are naturally accepting of new people and new situations. They are also much more eager and exploratory during this early stage than they are in later adolescence. Harness that enthusiasm to set the pup on the right track from the start.
Complex Commands and Tricks
While it’s appropriate to get started with basic Pet Training in Alexandria VA at around two months of age most young puppies don’t have the attention span required to learn more complex commands and tricks. Try to instill the basics first before working on things like “roll over” or “fetch.”
Keep in mind that as puppies enter adolescence they tend to become a bit more rebellious, just like human teenagers. This developmental phase usually begins at around six months of age. Make sure that basic commands necessary for safety like those listed above are already being followed conscientiously before moving on to complex tricks.
When to Seek Help
New pet owners often want some guidance when it comes to training their puppies or adult dogs. Visit Website Domain to find a list of suitable trainers in the area who can help.
