Effective Dog Training: From Pup to Perfect Companion

Desiring to raise a wellbehaved and compliant dog, the owner must make the most of this crucial first year to fully develop the puppy's body and senses.

Odor Development:

At around 4 to 5 months of age, puppies are ready for odor development training. This is a time when they are brimming with curiosity and a desire to explore. It's important for the owner to consciously introduce the puppy to unfamiliar items, such as those belonging to strangers, to teach them to distinguish between different scents and cultivate a keen sense of recognition. Missing this window of opportunity can lead to diminished training effectiveness as the puppy becomes accustomed to their environment and loses their sense of novelty.

During this phase, the owner can use treats as incentives, as they are highly appealing to puppies. During training sessions, bring along their favorite treats, like beef granules or sausages, and find a clean grassy area. Start by giving the puppy a few treats, then place the food on the ground. The puppy's natural instinct to find the food will ignite their motivation to search.

As the puppy focuses on the task, they will use their sense of smell to search for the treats, showcasing their abilities and speed. Upon successfully finding the food, they receive their reward, which not only reinforces their sense of smell but also strengthens their ability to locate items.

Puppies that have undergone training during this critical period are essentially given a head start. They will find more advanced training easier to learn and will exude more confidence than those who have not been trained.

Interaction with Strangers:

Exposure to strangers or other dogs during the puppy stage can foster good temperament in the dog, preventing issues such as barking or biting at people later in life. Puppies that do not interact with people by the age of 3 months may find training more challenging.

Therefore, it is essential to start training early and introduce socialization exercises to the puppy at a young age.