New Puppy Owner Training Questions
(We don’t have all the answers!)
You’ve probably heard the old adage, “Children don’t come with owner’s manuals. “ This is often spoken by parents who are doing their very best but not seeing the “results” they were hoping for as their children grow and develop. When it comes to children, this is true. What about our puppies, as they grow into adult dogs—how much is nature, and how much is early nurture?
Cutting through the Confusion
The great thing is, when it comes to puppies, there are "owner's manuals" out there. We have a wealth of resources at our disposal as responsible dog owners who want responsive, well-behaved pets. Early training helps shape dogs who interact well with their families and others and are able to enjoy their best lives.
The challenge, though, is that there are almost too many resources to choose from. As the saying goes, "You can't believe everything you read on the Internet!" Some of the advice offered by well-meaning people simply isn't going to produce the results you're hoping for. So how do you choose?
Here at Carrier Family Doodles, we put our all into our home-raised puppies, giving them the best start in life that we can. We do ENS, sound exposure, and lots of positive socialization with a variety of people and environments.
But, to be honest, we have a pretty low bar when it comes to training our adult dogs. With so many dogs in our busy household, it's difficult to offer the amount of one-on-one time and practice that quality training requires. We're pretty happy if our dogs come when called, sit, and (for the most part) don't jump on people for attention. Counter surfing seems to be a constant battle with our larger dogs, so we've gone the route of simply never leaving food on the counter. They have us well-trained!
Some Helpful Recommendations
All that to say, we’re probably not the best people to offer training advice. However, we have done lots of research on training and know that not all advice is sound. Some methods work for some people but are not generally recommended. Recommendations often change based on new research and experience. So when we are asked for advice on puppy training, we typically just point to a select few training resources that (thus far) we have confidence in recommending.
McCann Dog Training YouTube videos are well worth the watch. They offer topical teachings in 10-20 minute increments, which is perfect for getting a handle on particular problem behaviors and having something helpful to implement when you’re done. Likewise, Zak George is a solid resource that can give you lots of great ideas when it comes to puppy training.
If you’re more of a traditional book-reader, Cesar Millan and Zak George are recommended authors whose books might give you a broader perspective on the topic of puppy training, and provide you with a solid, step-by-step method of achieving your training goals.
A resource that we have personally used, and highly recommend, is the Baxter & Bella “online puppy school.” This lifetime-membership Website offers articles, videos, and even real-time advice from training professionals. It is a systematic format that helps you know what to do, when, and how, from even before you bring a new puppy home! And when you hit the inevitable bumps in the road, targeted videos and articles are available to help you navigate those particular problem areas.
To learn more about Baxter & Bella, visit https://www.baxterandbella.com/learn-more. If you would like to purchase the lifetime membership, use our code for a 25% discount! Just type in the promo code “CARRIERFAMILY” when you check out at Baxter & Bella.
If you are adopting one of our puppies, we offer a 35% discount on the Baxter & Bella membership as a value-add. We’ll purchase the class for you and send you a welcome link before go-home day, so you can make the most of your early days with your puppy. Just let us know at any time after you reserve your puppy that you would like this add-on, and we are happy to make it happen for you.
Another option is to check your local area for in-person trainiers and training classes. A real-time trainer can offer more personalized advice as they see how you interact with your puppy. Making a commitment to a class also can help with follow-through, whereas it’s easy to begin an online class with enthusiasm and then slack off when life gets busy.
Whatever you choose, make early training a priority for your puppy. You won’t regret it, as both you and your dog enjoy many quality years together.
