Bringing a puppy home is an exciting adventure but training them to be a well-behaved companion takes time, patience, and the right approach.
Modern puppy training focuses on kind, reward-based methods that encourage learning in a fun and stress-free way. Instead of outdated dominance-based techniques, positive reinforcement teaches puppies that good behaviour leads to great rewards—whether that’s praise, play, or a tasty treat.
At Company of Animals, we’ve spent over 40 years helping owners and trainers better understand their dogs. Under the leadership of Emily Mugford, a veterinary surgeon with extensive experience in the pet industry, we continue to innovate and develop training solutions that support modern, science-backed methods. Founded by Dr Roger Mugford, a renowned animal psychologist and innovator in pet behaviour, our 100-acre Pet Centre in Chertsey, Surrey, remains a hub for dog behaviour research, training, and rehabilitation.
We developed the Coachi range to support dog and puppy owners with expert-designed training treats and tools that make learning enjoyable for both you and your pup.
Why Positive Reinforcement Works
Dogs repeat behaviours that lead to good outcomes. If sitting politely earns them a Coachi treat, they’ll be more likely to do it again. If jumping up gets ignored while sitting earns attention, they’ll quickly realise which behaviour is more rewarding. Science shows that reward-based training builds a stronger bond between dogs and owners, increases confidence, and leads to better long-term results.
Key Training Principles
- Reward Good Behaviour – Puppies learn faster when they’re praised and rewarded for doing the right thing.
- Clear & Consistent Cues – Use the same words and signals so your puppy understands what you want.
- No Fear or Punishment – Training should be positive and enjoyable, not something to be afraid of.
- Set Your Puppy Up for Success – Manage their environment to prevent mistakes and reinforce good habits.
Training for Different Breeds
Every puppy is unique, and their breed can influence how they learn and what kind of training suits them best. Some breeds, like Cockapoos—a mix of two highly intelligent breeds—thrive on mental stimulation and problem-solving activities. Without enough enrichment, they may find their own (often mischievous) ways to entertain themselves. Working breeds, such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Spaniels, require both physical exercise and structured training to keep their active minds engaged.
More independent breeds, such as Huskies or Terriers, may need extra motivation and variety in training to keep them interested.
Understanding your puppy’s breed traits will help you tailor training sessions to suit their natural instincts and energy levels.
Using Coachi Treats to Train Your Puppy
Our Coachi treats are designed to be the perfect training reward—soft, small, and highly motivating. They help reinforce the behaviours you want while keeping training fun and effective.
- Teaching Basic Commands – Reward your puppy immediately after they sit, stay, or come when called.
- Clicker Training – Pair a Coachi Clicker with treats to give clear feedback and speed up learning.
- Shaping New Behaviours – Guide your puppy through small steps, rewarding progress along the way.
- Building Confidence – Use treats to help your puppy form positive associations with new experiences.
Common Puppy Training Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Even with the best intentions, some common mistakes can slow down your puppy’s progress. Here’s how to avoid them:
- Poor Timing of Rewards
Timing is everything—if you reward your puppy too late, they may not associate the treat with the correct behaviour. The Coachi Treat Bag ensures quick and easy access to treats, making training smoother and more effective.
- Inconsistent Training
Dogs learn best when training is consistent. Ensure that everyone in the household uses the same cues, rewards, and expectations to reinforce learning. Coachi treats keep training consistent, helping puppies understand what earns a reward.
- Expecting Too Much Too Soon
Puppies need time to learn! Keep training sessions short and fun, and be patient while they develop new skills. Overloading a young puppy with too much too soon can lead to frustration—small steps and regular rewards will help them succeed.
- Not Using training aids
Using the tools, like the Coachi Clicker, Coachi Treat Bag, Coachi Training Whistle, and the trainers at the Pet Centre’s go to, the puppy training line, can make training easier and more effective. These tools help reinforce positive behaviours quickly and clearly, helping your puppy learn faster.
Training in Action: Real-Life Examples
Teaching a Reliable Recall
Getting a puppy to come when called is one of the most important skills they can learn.
What you’ll need:
- Coachi Training Treats for Puppies – soft, tasty, and perfect for rewarding quick responses
- Coachi Puppy Training Long Line – ideal for practising recall safely at a distance
- Halti Anatomy Puppy Harness – a secure, comfortable fit that supports natural movement and avoids pressure on the neck – Puppies can start wearing a harness from 8 weeks old.
Here’s how:
- Start in a quiet place – Call their name and reward them the moment they look at you.
- Encourage them to move towards you – Take a step back and reward them when they follow.
- Increase the challenge – Gradually add distractions and reward every successful recall.
- Make it fun! – Use an excited tone, run playfully, and celebrate with treats and training toys.
Stopping Jumping Up
Puppies often jump up for attention, but this can be managed with simple training:
- Ignore jumping – Don’t give eye contact, talk, or touch.
- Reward four paws on the floor – The moment they stop jumping, praise and treat them.
- Teach an alternative – Ask for a “Sit” before greeting and reward with a Coachi treat.
The New Coachi Puppy Range: Designed for Success
To support positive training, we’ve created a range of expert-designed training tools to make life easier and more enjoyable for puppy owners:
- Coachi Clicker – A simple way to mark correct behaviours.
- Coachi Treat Bag – Keeps rewards handy for instant reinforcement.
- Coachi Training Whistle – Great for recall training at a distance.
- Coachi Target Stick – This stick is perfect for teaching tricks and guiding movement.
All Coachi puppy training tools and treats are developed using the expertise from Company of Animals’ Pet Centre. Our behaviour specialists, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy experts, agility trainers, veterinary surgeons, and grooming professionals ensure our products are practical, effective, and enjoyable to use.
Building a Happy, Confident & Well-Behaved Puppy
Training your puppy isn’t about obedience; it’s about building trust, communication, and a lifelong bond. When using Coachi treats and positive reinforcement, your puppy will naturally repeat good behaviours, making them part of everyday life.
Final Tips for Success:
- Keep training fun – Short, playful sessions work best.
- Reward often – The more good behaviours you reinforce, the more they’ll repeat them.
- Stay patient and consistent – Puppies and dogs are always learning, so guide them with kindness.
At Company of Animals, we’re committed to helping puppy owners train with confidence. Visit our Pet Centre in Surrey, UK, or explore our online resources to discover how we help dogs and their owners build better relationships through training.