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Puppy Training Essentials
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting event for any family. It will create fun memories that last a lifetime! Obedience training is one of the first steps to introducing a new puppy to your family. Puppies can start learning basic commands like "sit," "stay," and "come" as early as eight weeks old. Figuring out how to properly train your puppy can seem daunting, but don't stress; at Dog Training Elite, we are here to educate you on the puppy training essentials! We even provide puppy training classes to give your new little family member the best chance at obedience training!
There are a few things you'll want to get before beginning training. Below we have listed a few of the essentials. Whether you are training on your own, with a trainer, or in one of our puppy training classes, these items will be helpful!
Guide to Training Essentials for Your Puppy
Rewards
At Dog Training Elite, we believe in positive reinforcement and yummy treats do the trick! We recommend a high-quality, berry-sized reward that your puppy will enjoy. Rewarding your dog while training teaches them that you approve of that behavior and maintains their motivation to perform well.
Treat Pouch
Because you'll be handing out lots of treats and because the treats are small, you will probably want a treat bag or pouch. There are many options out there with different sizes, shapes, and ways to carry. The benefit of getting a treat pouch is the ease of access and the ability to reward your puppy quickly. If you aren't interested in getting a treat pouch, we recommend getting a small bag to carry your puppy's rewards.
Clicker
A clicker is a great tool to have along with rewards when training a puppy. With a clicker, you can immediately provide a positive sound when your dog performs a correct behavior, and then you can reward with a treat. Pairing a clicker with treats is a great way to instill positive reinforcement because you teach your dog that they get a treat when they hear a click. You can buy many kinds of clickers at your local pet store, and they even have helpful clicker apps.
Leash
A good leash is another essential when bringing home a new puppy. We suggest a leash made of a durable material like leather and about 6 feet long to allow for comfortable room for both of you. Training your dog on a leash will set you up for fun walks in the future, keep your dog safe, and prevent them from getting lost while out of the house. It is also beneficial for an excited puppy who wants to run around and play while training.
Collar or Harness
You'll need a sturdy collar or harness to attach a leash while training. Deciding between a flat collar or body harness is up to your personal preference, but it is good to consider your dog's comfort and demeanor. A collar is necessary while training and for safety while out and about. A collar/harness is also the best place to attach the identification for your puppy. If anything happened to your dog, you'd be glad you had a collar with your information on it!
Crate
Getting a dog crate is a great way to housetrain your puppy. You will want to get a durable and safe crate for your dog that has enough room for them to be comfortable. You want the crate to be a place of calm and safety for your dog, not a punishment zone. Getting your puppy crate trained gives you a safe space in your home to keep them while they are unsupervised and also prevents unwanted behaviors like chewing or peeing inside.
Puppy Training Classes
If the idea of getting all these things and training your puppy alone feels like too much work, or you just don't have the time to do everything, Dog Training Elite is here to help! We have puppy training classes that have proven to be highly successful because of our unique training program. We will help you utilize these items to get the most out of your dog training experience.
In our classes, we believe owner involvement is critical. We want your puppy to associate the things they learn in our program with YOU. We don't like to send them home and have them forget everything they learned. Our trainers and classes can be customized around your family and schedule to optimize your involvement in your puppy's training.
Puppy Essentials Webinar
You can get the best of both worlds with our puppy essentials webinar! We now offer our trusted puppy training class on-demand from the comfort of your home. This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies aged 8-16 weeks old and will be accessible to you for three days.
In this webinar, you will learn the following things:
- Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
- Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
- Crate Training/ House Breaking
- Socialization Tips
- Environmental Hazards
- Puppy Enrichment
- Caring for Your Puppy
Dog Training Elite wants the best for you and your dog; that's we recommend getting these items for training. We also offer the best puppy training classes and excellent puppy essentials webinars. If you have any questions about our puppy training program or would like to enquire about our pricing, contact us today!
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.