After weeks, perhaps even months of careful thought and research, you’re finally welcoming a pup to your family. Undeniably, the excitement is huge as the path has been paved for a companion who will bring endless joy and laughter into your life.
That said, being a new pet owner would never be easy. Puppies brim with high energy levels, curiosity, and a persistent desire to explore. Therefore, the importance of training them from the beginning cannot be overlooked.
For all those new puppy owners out there in Singapore, this guide serves as a valuable resource, shedding light on essential training techniques, from puppy potty training to understanding dog body language. Following these tips can help prevent potential behavioural issues in the future.
Puppy Potty Training | Puppy Toilet Training
One of the common challenges many owners come across is puppy toilet training. It requires patience, consistency, and a structured regime. Ensure that your puppy is taken outside after meals, naps, and playtime. Additionally, taking them to the same spot for potty breaks creates familiarity. Plus, reward your puppy when they eliminate in the right place. The ultimate goal of honing these necessary skills is to ensure a well-behaved puppy.
Optimal Feeding, Diet, and Nutrition
Proper nutrition is pivotal for your puppy’s growth and development. This is why it becomes imperative to feed them high-quality puppy food consisting of essential nutrients. What’s more, always keep a check on their weight. If your puppy is becoming obese, tweak their portions as needed. Seeking expert guidance for personalised dietary advice ensures your pup’s up long-term health and happiness.
Dog Obedience Training
Obedience skills are a must for a well-behaved puppy. Sit, down, sit stay, down stay, recall/come, and heel are some commands that every puppy should learn. This training helps in building the core skills for requisite dog obedience.
While you can practice these basic obedience cues with your pet, it makes sense to seek professional services. Our dog obedience training in Singapore goes beyond basic commands by including lifestyle training to ensure a well-behaved and happy pup.
Socialisation: Shaping a Friendly Dog
Early socialisation is key to your puppy’s development, helping them grow into a friendly and mannered dog. So don’t refrain from introducing them to various people, dogs, and environments. The ultimate aim is to strengthen their social skills, encourage behaviour, and finally decrease the peril of anxiety-related issues and puppy biting.
Understanding Dog Body Language
Building a strong bond with your pet requires understanding their emotions. Have a glance at some of the key signals to watch for:
- Wagging Tail – It is usually a sign of happiness or excitement. But a high-wagging tail or a stiff one may point towards alertness, dominance, or potential aggression.
- Ears Back – When your dog’s ears are pinned back and relaxed, it demonstrates friendliness or submission. But at the same time, if they are tightly pulled with a tense posture, it signs that your pup might be feeling anxious or fearful.
- Licking Lips/Yawning – Did you know that dogs are often seen licking their lips or yawning when they are stressed, uncomfortable, or unsure? Also termed calming signals, they use them to express that they are feeling stressed and want to avoid conflict.
If you are a dog owner, you might have noticed these behaviours when you take them to a vet, during training sessions, or when they are punished. - Raised Hackles – Ever seen the fur of a dog from the neck to the tail stand up? Raised hackles, known as piloerection, are an involuntary response triggered by the nervous system, similar to how humans get goosebumps.
While this reaction does not always indicate aggression, it can also be a sign of excitement or fear. - Veterinary Care – Beyond training, keeping your pup healthy is just as important. Regular veterinary care ensures they receive timely vaccinations, annual check-ups, and deworming treatments. This further helps to monitor your puppy’s growth and figure out the possibility of any potential issue early.
Final Words
To build structured relationships and a strong bond with your pet, the importance of training cannot be ditched. Certified dog trainers always recommend the above training techniques for your pet.
Needless to say, puppy training requires patience, time, and effort but ultimately the rewards are worth it. And in the process, if you feel overwhelmed, consider enrolling in a puppy class in Singapore for professional guidance. Rest assured, with love, training, and dedication, expect your pup to grow as a well-mannered and happy companion.