Christmas has come and gone, which means many families have grown by one set of furry paws: a sweet Christmas puppy! Getting a new puppy for the holidays is undoubtedly a joy, but it's also a big and sometimes difficult responsibility. Puppies require time, effort, and commitment that far extends Christmas morning. This is, after all, a life to provide for and take care of daily for the next 10 to 15 years. So what's the first step? Here are some reasons you should start training your new Christmas puppy early, brought to you by our puppy training experts in Durham and Chapel Hill.
Learning Starts and Sticks Early
From the time your puppy is born to when they are around 14 to 16 weeks old (or roughly four months old) is the most critical period of learning for them. The things you teach them in this early stage will significantly impact them for the rest of their life. You'll only have a few quick weeks to make the most of this learning interval--even less if you acquire him/her already a couple of weeks old. You want to make sure the things that stick with them are important behavioral lessons and positive experiences. Training your puppy early will give them a comprehensive understanding of the world and how they should interact with the people, things, and other animals in it for them to build upon throughout their life.
Establish the Ground Rules
Training your puppy right off the bat will help you to establish ground rules both with your puppy and with yourself. You can decide what they are and aren't allowed to do early on, and teach them quickly to prevent confusion and frustration for the both of you. Are they allowed on the furniture? Will certain rooms be prohibited? Where will they sleep and what time will they eat? Dogs love consistency, so the sooner you start their training the easier it will be for them to absorb the information and establish a routine in your home.
Create Love and Trust
Dogs thrive off of love and a trusting relationship, and you want to provide that connection as soon as you bring your puppy home. You are the center of their new world, so it's important that they feel safe with you and have respect for you. Having an involved role in their training will create a strong bond between you and your pup. You'll be able to spend more time building your relationship, and you'll have a hand in teaching them the things you most want them to know. It will also ensure that once you leave professional lessons you will be able to keep up the training at home and improve on their progress.
Christmas puppies are a joyful gift for the holiday season, but you have to remember that they aren't just for Christmas; they're for life. Now is the time to start training them, while they are absorbing the most knowledge and getting acclimated to becoming part of your family. Start your new relationship with your pup off right by beginning their training right away. With a firm but loving hand, your puppy will grow to be an adjusted, well behaved, and loving member of your family for many more Christmases to come.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Dog Training Elite has developed a highly successful and unique puppy essentials training class located at our facility in Sandy, Utah. Our puppy training method is designed to teach owners how to train their puppy alongside a professional puppy trainer in a small group class environment. Contact Dog Training Elite today to learn more about our puppy training classes in Durham and Chapel Hill, we're happy to help!
