Enrolling your dog in puppy kindergarten is a worthwhile investment that we dog owners know will pay off in the long run. Unfortunately, sometimes puppy kindergarten just goes through the basic motions: Sit, stay, come. It’s time to get more out of puppy kindergarten, and places like Canine College, Bow Wow Resort understand that there’s a need for more in-depth training. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of five things puppies should all learn in puppy kindergarten and if you are still hungry for more advice, check out TheDogPaws.com for more puppy training tips.
- Teaching them how to respond to their name. We know dogs can hear us. In fact, we know dogs can hear more sounds than we humans can. So why is it that sometimes our puppies just don’t want to acknowledge when we call their name? It’s best to start calling their name and offering a reward right afterwards so they have an incentive to respond when called. Eventually, wean off the treats and they should be more responsive.
- How to not be distressed during bath time. This is a tough one, but there a few ways to work around to get your dog to actually sit still during bath time. For starters, call up a friend whose dog is very friendly with yours and that doesn’t mind bath time. Their dog will help encourage yours and will also keep them comfortable. There are plenty of tips and products available on Pupster Passion USA if you’re still struggling though – hopefully there will be something there to help your pup get through bath time!
- Teaching them about personal space. Dogs are our sidekicks, but sometimes we need our little corner of the house and they need theirs. It’s often difficult to get a dog to understand that their dog bed is theirs and your human bed is yours. Getting them a bed that’s comforting is important. Jug Dog have some comfy beds you might want to have a look at. Your dog wanting to use your space is often a sign of insecurity. Try leaving the dog bed next to your bed to see if they feel more comfortable. Keep all of their toys on or near their bed — not yours. Rewarding treats is also a great idea if they sleep in their own bed. If you’re noticing your dog doesn’t seem “insecure” about leaving your side, but they do have trouble sleeping on their bed, it might be time to take a look into other bed types such as tough dog beds instead, to see what could potentially work for allowing your furry friend get a good nights sleep, as well as letting you do so too.
- How to behave when company is over. Heading to puppy kindergarten with other dogs is a great way to get your dog exposed to other dogs AND humans. oftentimes puppies will get overwhelmed and excited meeting a ton of new people all at once that they may forget their behavior (think Christmas parties, baby showers, Fourth of July parties). A great way to slowly expose your puppy to new guests is to purchase a door gate. This way, guests can approach the gate and your puppy will be exposed to their scent.
- Teaching them not to sulk when they don’t get what they want. Another difficult behavior to correct, but sometimes puppies will whine and complain when they don’t get what they want — such as food or a toy. It’s best to work with a professional dog trainer from Canine College, Bow Wow Resort to come up with a special verbal command or hand signal that will tell your dog to relax and wait.
Do you have any other recommendations on what your puppy should be taught at puppy kindergarten? We’d love to hear from you about this! Contact us today to schedule a dog training session with our experts.
