Perfect Pet Box Puppy

Welcome to your Perfect Pet Puppy Training essentials guide. Below you will find lots of expert tips and advice to get you and your puppy started on your positive training adventure. The topics start with teaching basic obedience commands and consistent recall. We also explain the value of clickers and whistles as part of your puppy training kit. Then onto mastering toilet training and other house rules. Finally there is helpful information on learning new sounds and getting started with teeth cleaning. So let’s begin!

Teaching basic commands with a clicker

Clicker training is a quick and effective way to train dogs as the ‘click’ enables to you simply and clearly communicate to your dog the exact moment they get something right. The clicker is not a command to tell the dog what to do, nor is it the reward. The clicker indicates to your dog that they have got something right and the reward is to follow.

Starter Tips

1. Keep training sessions short and fun! You want your dog to love training and if you get angry, frustrated or ask for too much, your dog will not enjoy it.
2. Before you start training with your clicker, do a quick check to ensure your dog isn’t worried by the sound, start with the clicker on the lowest volume setting.
3. Do not point the clicker at your dog, hold it in your hand, close by your side.
4. The clicker must only be used to mark a good behaviour, not to get your dog’s attention.
5. Click only once each time.
6. The clicker is not a command to tell the dog what to do, nor is it the reward. The clicker indicates to your dog that they have got something right and the reward is to follow.

Once you have reviewed the clicker training advice sheets, go to the information link on teaching handy commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘down’.

Teaching recall

Teaching your dog good recall is important for your dog’s safety and ensure walks are enjoyable for both you and your dog.

How can a recall line can help?
For early stages recall training with a puppy, you can use a Puppy Training Line or a normal lead to get started on the basics. However, once your dog is more active a longer Recall Line is ideal for recall training. This long line lead allows you to keep control of your dog while gently encouraging them back to you to reinforce the recall command. A Recall Line is also ideal for allowing the safe and controlled socialisation of puppies, young or nervous dogs, and those with behavioural issues.

See our advice sheets below for the step by step guide on teaching your dog to recall.

Dog training with a whistle

A whistle can be very helpful for teaching a dog commands, for a number of reasons:

1. The sound can travel over a longer distance.
2. It becomes a distinct sound (command) which tells the dog these instructions are for you.
3. The whistle removes any emotion or stress from the command.
4. Standardises the command so different people can give the command in the same way.

Learning the rules of the house

All new puppies will need to learn the rules of the house. Puppy Training Lines or House lines are particularly useful during those demanding early days, weeks and months as your dog is learning the boundaries. By having a Puppy Training Line attached to your dog’s harness at home, you will be able to safely and discreetly interrupt undesirable behaviour, without confrontation or misunderstanding. This can be used to help prevent behaviours like sitting on furniture, chewing, jumping up and stealing to name but a few. See the video below on how to use your Puppy Training Line.

Toilet training

Toilet training your new dog does require some patience and consistency. Toilet Training Bells provides a clear and consistent method of communication between you and your dog to support the toilet training process. Using clicker training, your dog can be taught to ring the bell and notify you when they need to go to the toilet. Using the Toilet Training Bells also discourages unwanted behaviours such as barking and scratching at the door. They are also great for traveling as your dog can still use the same signal to let you know they need to go out, even if they are in a different house.

Learning new sounds

The Company of Animals Sounds CD is a proven method of noise de-sensitisation, great to use with puppies to prevent noise sensitivity problems from starting. There are 4 categories and over 30 sounds to choose from including loud bangs and transport through to household appliances and people.

Full instructions are inside the pack, but see our starter tips below before you get going!

1. For the sound therapy to work it needs to played near constantly so the sounds become white noise for your dog. Doing a few sessions a week will have little or no benefit.
2. Don’t do it if your dog is already stressed about something else.
3. Increasing the volume is governed by your dog’s tolerance levels, not by the period of time.
4. The sounds should be associated with real positives i.e. food, games, attention etc.
5. For firework phobias, start as early as possible and an absolute minimum of a month before key firework ‘seasons’ such as New Years Eve or November in the UK.
6. The quality of the equipment that the cd/mp3 file is played on will massively affect the success rate.

When should I start brushing my dog's teeth?

Lots of new dog owners ask when should I start brushing my dog’s teeth? Just like we do with children to ensure their long term teeth and gum health, regular teeth cleaning is a good habit to form early on with your puppy. Never use human toothpaste as this is toxic to dogs. Regular teeth cleaning should also help you avoid future expensive vet bills for remedial dental care!

 Before you get started here are some top tips for teeth brushing success!

1. Lots of praise and patience is essential for successful teeth cleaning practice!
2. Don’t’ rush the early steps. If your dog looks uncomfortable at any stage, stop what you are doing and next time go back to the previous step until your dog is more relaxed again.
3. Remember to reward your dog during each practice session and even when a daily routine is established.
4. Once the routine is set, try to clean your dog’s teeth daily.

See our step by step advice guides below to help introduce your dog to teeth brushing.