Puptown Dog Training Houston

Dog Behavior Training From an Early Age

Posted on March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 by Gideon

Dogs are widely regarded as man’s best friend, and for good reason. They’re loyal, affectionate, and have a natural ability to understand and interact with humans in a way that no other animal can. However, owning a dog also comes with a great deal of responsibility. One of the most important responsibilities that comes with owning a dog is to ensure that they are well-behaved and well-trained. This is why dog behavior training from an early age is so important.

Photo by Nick Fewings

Training your dog from an early age is essential for a number of reasons. Firstly, it helps to prevent any potential behavior problems from developing. Dogs that are not trained are much more likely to develop bad habits such as jumping up, barking excessively, or even biting. These behaviors can be difficult to correct once they become ingrained, and can even lead to the dog being rehomed or euthanized.

Secondly, training your dog from an early age helps to establish a strong bond between you and your pet. Dogs are social animals and thrive on attention and interaction from their owners. By training your dog, you are not only teaching them obedience and good manners, but you are also spending quality time with them and strengthening your relationship.

So, how can you start training your dog from an early age? Here are some tips to get you started:

Start with the basics

When it comes to training your dog, it’s important to start with the basics. This means teaching them simple commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “come”. These commands are the foundation of all training, and will help you to establish a good relationship with your dog.

Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the key to successful dog training. This means rewarding your dog for good behavior, rather than punishing them for bad behavior. When your dog performs a command correctly, reward them with a treat or praise. This will encourage them to repeat the behavior in the future.

Be consistent

Consistency is important when it comes to dog training. Make sure that everyone in your household is using the same commands and techniques, so that your dog doesn’t get confused. It’s also important to train your dog regularly, rather than sporadically. This will help them to learn the commands more quickly and effectively.

Socialize your dog

Socialization is an important part of dog behavior training. This means exposing your dog to a variety of people, animals, and situations from an early age. This will help them to develop confidence and good manners, and will also prevent them from becoming anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Seek professional help if needed

If you’re having difficulty training your dog, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. A qualified dog trainer can provide you with the guidance and support you need to train your dog effectively.

Dog behavior training from an early age is essential for the well-being of your pet, as well as your relationship with them. By starting with the basics, using positive reinforcement, being consistent, socializing your dog, and seeking professional help if needed, you can ensure that your dog grows up to be a happy, well-behaved, and much-loved member of your family.

The Importance Of Puppy Socialization

Posted on March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 by Gideon

Bringing a new puppy into your life can be a joyful and exciting experience. However, it’s important to remember that puppies need more than just love and affection to grow into happy, healthy dogs. One of the most crucial aspects of raising a puppy is socialization. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of puppy socialization and how you can help your furry friend become a confident and well-adjusted adult dog.

What is Puppy Socialization?

Puppy socialization is the process of exposing your puppy to new experiences, people, animals, and environments during their critical socialization period, which is typically between the ages of 3 and 14 weeks. During this time, puppies are more open to new experiences and are less likely to be fearful or anxious. By exposing them to a wide range of social experiences during this time, you can help your puppy learn to adapt to new situations, build confidence, and develop good behavior.

Photo by Ricardo IV Tamayo

Why is Puppy Socialization Important?

Socialization plays a crucial role in a puppy’s development. Puppies that are not adequately socialized may grow up to be fearful, anxious, or aggressive. Here are some reasons why socialization is so important:

Prevents Fear and Anxiety

Exposing your puppy to new experiences early on can help prevent them from developing fears and anxieties later in life. Puppies that are not socialized may become fearful of strangers, other dogs, or new environments, which can lead to behavior problems such as aggression or anxiety.

Builds Confidence

Puppies that are socialized properly are more likely to grow up to be confident, well-adjusted dogs. By exposing your puppy to new experiences and challenges, you can help them learn to cope with new situations and build confidence.

Prevents Aggression

Puppies that are not socialized may grow up to be aggressive towards other dogs or humans. By exposing them to a wide range of social experiences during their critical socialization period, you can help them learn appropriate social behavior and prevent aggression.

How to Socialize Your Puppy

Socializing your puppy is not difficult, but it does require some effort and planning. Here are some tips to help you socialize your puppy:

Expose your puppy to new experiences, people, and environments regularly. This can include taking your puppy to the park, inviting friends over, or taking them on car rides.

Introduce your puppy to other dogs and animals in a controlled environment. This can include play dates with other puppies or supervised meetings with well-behaved adult dogs.

Reward your puppy for good behavior. Use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior, such as treats or praise.

Be patient and take things slowly. Don’t overwhelm your puppy with too many new experiences at once. Gradually introduce new experiences, and always monitor their behavior.

Socialization is a critical part of raising a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted puppy. By exposing your puppy to new experiences, people, and environments during their critical socialization period, you can help them build confidence, prevent fear and anxiety, and prevent aggression. Remember to take things slowly, be patient, and use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior. With time and effort, you can help your puppy grow into a confident and well-adjusted adult dog.

Do you need professional puppy training that includes socialization? Contact Puptown Houston now!

Helping Your Dog Through Separation Anxiety

Posted on March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 by Gideon

Dogs are social animals, and they form strong bonds with their owners. So, when their owners leave them alone, it can cause them to become anxious, stressed, and even depressed. This condition is known as separation anxiety, and it’s one of the most common behavioral problems in dogs. If your dog has separation anxiety, it’s essential to understand the causes and symptoms of the condition and how to help your furry friend overcome it. Here are the way of helping your dog through separation anxiety.

Photo by Razvan Sassu

Causes of Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety can be caused by several factors, including:

Lack of socialization: Dogs that were not adequately socialized as puppies may become anxious when left alone.
Changes in routine: Changes in the owner’s work schedule, moving to a new home, or changes in the household can all trigger separation anxiety.
Past experiences: Dogs that have had traumatic experiences, such as being abandoned or surrendered to a shelter, may be more prone to separation anxiety.
Genetics: Some breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, may be more prone to separation anxiety.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

The symptoms of separation anxiety can vary from dog to dog. Some common signs to watch out for include:

Destructive behavior: Dogs with separation anxiety may chew, scratch, or dig at doors, windows, or furniture when left alone.
Barking, howling, or whining: Dogs with separation anxiety may vocalize excessively when left alone.
House soiling: Dogs with separation anxiety may urinate or defecate in the house when left alone, even if they are house-trained.
Pacing or restlessness: Dogs with separation anxiety may pace back and forth, drool excessively, or exhibit other signs of restlessness when left alone.

Helping Your Dog through Separation Anxiety

If your dog has separation anxiety, there are several things you can do to help them overcome the condition. Here are some tips:

Gradual desensitization: Start by leaving your dog alone for short periods of time, gradually increasing the duration as they become more comfortable.
Positive reinforcement: Reward your dog with treats and praise when they exhibit calm behavior when left alone.
Environmental enrichment: Provide your dog with toys, puzzles, and other forms of entertainment to keep them occupied when you’re not home.
Consistency: Establish a routine for your dog that they can rely on. Feed them at the same time each day, and establish a consistent bedtime.
Medication: In severe cases, your vet may prescribe medication to help your dog manage their anxiety.
Professional help: Consider seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to help you address your dog’s separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety can be a challenging condition to manage, but with patience and consistency, you can help your furry friend overcome it. By understanding the causes and symptoms of separation anxiety and following the tips outlined above, you can help your dog feel more comfortable and confident when left alone. Remember, every dog is different, and what works for one dog may not work for another. So, be patient and persistent, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed.

How to potty train a puppy

Posted on January 10, 2023February 1, 2023 by Shaina Zaidi

Potty training a puppy can be a bit of a challenge, but with consistency and patience, it can be done. Here are some steps you can take to potty train your puppy:

Establish a routine: Puppies thrive on routine, so it’s important to establish a regular schedule for feeding, playing, and going potty. Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after every meal, and before bedtime.
Choose a potty spot: Pick a spot in your yard where you want your puppy to go potty, and take them there every time. Use a specific command, such as “go potty,” to help them associate the command with the action.
Supervise your puppy: When you can’t be directly supervising your puppy, confine them to a crate or a small room with easy-to-clean floors. This will help prevent accidents in the house.
Reward good behavior: When your puppy goes potty in the designated spot, be sure to praise them and give them a treat. This will help them understand that going potty outside is a good thing.
Watch for signs: Learn to recognize the signs that your puppy needs to go potty, such as sniffing around, circling, or whining. When you see these signs, take your puppy outside immediately.
Be patient: Potty training takes time, so be patient and don’t get discouraged if your puppy has accidents in the house. Accidents will happen, and it’s important to stay calm and not get angry with your puppy.
Consistency is the key: Keep up with the routine and do not deviate, reward them every time they go potty outside, be patient and be consistent in your commands and rewards, will help your puppy understand what is expected of them.

Remember to be consistent and patient, and your puppy will learn to go potty outside in no time. Training pads can also be helpful if you live in an apartment or have bad weather, so you can gradually move the pad outside as they get comfortable and will want to go outside.

4 Ways to Raise An Obedient Puppy

Posted on December 28, 2017January 10, 2022 by WebDev2021

Adopting a puppy can bring you a lot of joy, but there are also challenges attached to it. Training a puppy for obedience can be difficult, and the first few stages of getting them to do things can take a while.

Puppies add a lot to our lives and become our undeterred companions. Raising an obedient puppy requires patience and time. They need to be taught how to do things and not think of the living room as a toilet, much like children.

Puppies if not treated properly may show signs of aggression and bad behavior, which can lead to other problems. Remember taking a dog in is a responsibility; it does not matter if you are simply adopting it or buying it for your choices, and it is a two way relationship.

Training, a lot of affection and positive reinforcement are the keys to raising a loving, healthy and obedient puppy.

Here are a few tips that can help you a lot in raising your puppy right.

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the best way to get your puppy to obey. New experiences can be challenging for your puppy, they may feel afraid and overwhelmed, which can cause them to freak out. When taking them on their first walk or car ride, talk to your puppy and maintain a positive attitude, and yes, keep rubbing his belly. Make sure that they feel ready for the adventure. Whenever he listens to you or does something that is positive, give them a treat if they are acting-out or barking at people or jumping on them presuming a disappointed tone is better than resorting to extreme measures and punishment.

Hire a trainer

Rely on professional help if you need help; you can always take the time out to enroll your puppy into a board and train facility. Professional trainers will teach your puppy how to behave obediently, they will potty train him and teach them how to act in crowds and whatnot – which will make things easier for you in the long run.

Obedience

Obedience is not just limited to your dog getting off the table; training your puppy to listen to you is a powerful means of keeping the little guy safe. Practicing multiple situations such as telling your dog to come to you when in the park, telling them to jump over an obstacle or avoid touching something that may be harmful; can set the right pace for you and your dog. Telling it to lie down, roll over and stand up are starter commands that can help your pup learn to be more obedient. And of course, a treat can always help.

Trust

Puppies require attention and affection. They can become attached to the individual spending the most time with them. As a result, they may begin to become aggressive or intolerant of others. So your family needs to be as involved in their daily activities as they can. Make sure all the members in your family are on the same page when you are adopting a puppy.

Bottom Line

Your efforts will make the right impact on your puppy and they will definitely respond to your approach and actions. Using the above mentioned tips can be extremely helpful in training a well-loved obedient little puppy.

Ask a Professional for Advice

If you have any questions about the above information, please contact us. Or if you would like to inquire about training options where our professionals train your puppy for you at our facility, please call us today at 832-930-0073!

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The Importance of Continuing Puppy Training at Home

Posted on December 19, 2016January 10, 2022 by WebDev2021

When submitting their puppy to training, many people make the mistake of believing that once the training is complete, they can simply rely on the training instilled by the instructor forever. Well, while that is a nice sentiment, it couldn’t be much further from the truth.

Think long and hard about what you learned in fifth grade English class, and then ask yourself if you remember any of it. If the answer is no, then you probably need to consider the fact that your puppy is very much the same and with an even shorter attention span. A dog goes through the Woodlands professional puppy training facility for a few different reasons.

Maybe they’re training to be a service dog, maybe they’re being socialized so that they deal with being in public and around people better. Then again, maybe, just maybe you’ve been working on weeding out food aggression. No matter what the case may be, you need to make sure that you’re working on it at home and that you’re reinforcing the training as best you can.

Reinforcing the Woodlands Puppy Training

So when it comes to properly reinforcing the Woodlands puppy training, what is it that you need to do? Believe it or not there are quite a few things, and the first one is making sure that you are consistent. You’ve probably heard this from you trainer over and over again but we’re going to say it once again: Consistency. It’s a four syllable word that’s perhaps the most important when it comes to proper puppy training.

If your puppy has been trained in a certain way, you need to keep up that training at home. It might be easier for you to break the routine, but once you do, you’re going to confuse your pet, and they might simply revert to their old ways. It’s a sad state of affairs but it does happen, and it can become irritating, especially if you have to take them through the training again.

For example, if part of their training involves not feeding them scraps from the table, then you should most certainly avoid feeding them scraps from the table no matter how tempting it might be. The moment you break that rule you’re going to be in serious trouble.

Proper Positive Reinforcement

If you want your dog to adhere to the training then you have to continue with the positive reinforcement. You may not have to treat them every single time they follow a command or do as they are told, but you do need to make sure you award them with praise regularly so that they know they are doing the right thing and that they will continue to do so. This is absolutely critical and any professional puppy trainer/trainers would absolutely agree with this logic.

Be in Charge

The final point that we’d like to bring up is that you need to be in charge when you are dealing with your dog, period. One of the biggest mistakes that dog owners make is allowing them to have their own way every once in a while, and we’re going to say right now that such an approach just isn’t going to work. If you allow your dog to push you around, they’re going to keep pushing and they’re going to keep playing on your weakness.

This is not malicious, it is simply the nature of your dog to play on your weaknesses and attempt to gain pack leadership. No matter how close you are to your dog, the fact remains that they still have a pack mentality and they will always be trying to work their way to the top. You cannot let this happen!

Keep these things in mind when you are dealing with your dog at home. We offer some of the best training in the country, but when it comes right down to it, you’re the one that they respect, and you are the one that will have to make sure they are remembering their training. Don’t worry, we’re going to give you the information you need to keep them on the right path, and both you and your beloved pet will benefit from it.

Three Factors that Might Affect Puppy Behavior

Posted on August 8, 2016January 10, 2022 by WebDev2021

Here at Puptown Houston in The Woodlands, TX we understand that various behaviors can provide additional training challenges with your new puppy. Our Woodlands puppy training specialist actually specialize in behavior-based, positive reinforcement training. So not only can we help identify these behaviors we can help your pup overcome them. It’s all about consistency and communication, and not just for the dogs. We also train a dog’s human to help them work with their canine companion when not at Puptown for optimal results. Continue reading “Three Factors that Might Affect Puppy Behavior”

Working with Your Puppy at Home to Make Sure Training Sticks

Posted on June 30, 2016January 10, 2022 by WebDev2021

If you are in the market for the best puppy training in Woodlands, TX, look no further than Puptown. We work with pooches off all ages, from young puppies to dogs in their “golden years”. You see, we are avid believers that a dog is never too old to learn new tricks, or even to behave politely. Almost any dog can be a well-mannered companion, and even though we offer a very effective training program through positive reinforcement customized for each dog we train, training does not stop there. Continue reading “Working with Your Puppy at Home to Make Sure Training Sticks”

Teaching Your Dog to Deal with Distractions in Public

Posted on May 23, 2016January 10, 2022 by WebDev2021

Let’s be honest, your dog is going to be exposed to a lot of things in their lifetime. This includes distractions like other people, animals, and things that might scare or ‘trigger” your dog like sirens, loud voices, and even thunder (a lot of dogs are terrified of storms). Good training can help your dog ignore a lot of these distractions and consistently behave well. Our Woodlands dog training experts incorporate this as part of our training for dogs of all ages. Our “no approach fits all” training style helps us to understand what distracts one dog instead of another and why so we can provide individualized training for great results. To learn more please visit us online at Pup Town Houston.

Dog obedience classes are a must to ensure you have a well-mannered, socialized dog that is a great companion and faithful friend. You want to make sure that your dog doesn’t “walk you” or find its way into a harmful situation. This is why training, including ignoring or avoiding distractions, is so important for your dog. Not to mention you don’t want your dog to hurt another animal or even worse, a person. If you aren’t ready to enroll your pup in classes just yet, here are some tips on teaching your dog to overcome distractions and be a good canine citizen.

Understand Triggers

As simple as this sounds, it is important to know what your dog finds particularly fascinating. Some dogs can’t resist the urge to run up to another pup while others love to chase squirrels or other small animals. If your dog has a penchant for sniffing holes in the ground, this could be a potentially dangerous behavior as this could be an insect nest or home to a poisonous snake. And if you think a high-pitched siren makes humans wince, imagine what it does to Fido’s senses! Once you know what your dog’s triggers are, you can figure out the best way to help your pup not give them a second thought.

Set up Success

When helping your dog overcome distractions, develop a series of steps like levels 1-5 to help your dog reach its goal. If you are teaching your dog to sit, begin in a quiet environment until your dog has the command down pat. Then gradually introduce a series of distractions while you are giving the command to help your dog ignore the outside factors and focus solely on you. Start off with a very mild distraction like having the TV on in the background and as your dog completes each step, move your pooch to the final step, like being outside next to a whole family of squirrels while successfully sitting on command.

Positive Reinforcement

As you have a level of 1-5 for your dog’s distraction factors, find a level 1-5 of treats for your dog with 1 being something they love and 5 being a treat your pooch will dance and do backflips for. As your dog completes each level of overcoming distractions, increase the level of treat to increase positive reinforcement and a greater reward for a greater level of difficulty. Increasing the positive reinforcement is an effective way of holding your dog’s attention no matter what distraction may arise and you want to make sure you and your dog are prepared for any situation.

Create Distance

While you are teaching your dog to ignore distractions, an effective tactic is to create distance from the distraction. Let’s say your dog loves to chase squirrels and you realize you need to help your dog overcome this behavior. While you are in the first steps of helping your dog ignore this distraction, put as much distance between your dog and the squirrels as possible. When you are in the final steps of training, move your dog closer to the squirrels. By desensitizing your pup to the distraction, the goal is to reach the point of said object no longer being a distraction.

The same principle can be applied to dogs who are very eager to make new friends as you should be cautious of a new dog until you are familiar with its personality. By shrinking the stimulus area, you are not only teaching but also protecting yourself and your dog during this important learning experience.

Why You Need to Seek Puppy Training From the Start

Posted on April 28, 2016January 10, 2022 by WebDev2021

There are few things more precious and delightful in this world than a new puppy. That little face with its big eyes can make you want to melt, as can those little paws and tail. Puppy kisses with that tiny tongue are equally adorable, as are the yawns and first attempts at barks. All you want to do is just snuggle with this little furball, and not worry about anything else. Let’s certainly hope that before getting your precious pup you took into consideration the commitment you have just made.

A puppy will require time, attention, and considerable expense to make sure it is happy, healthy, and well-behaved. Potty training aside, there are a lot of other things a pet parent needs to be prepared for to make sure they give their dog the best care possible. After all, do you want to come home to “presents” on your floor, garbage everywhere, and your sofa closely resembling a chewing toy? Even worse, do you want you pup getting into something that could make it sick, or worse? Never fear, because the best professional puppy trainers in Woodlands, TX are standing by to help you turn your puppy into well-mannered little lady or gentleman.

Here at Puptown we believe that each dog is unique and should be trained to their individual needs. We don’t have a “cookie cutter” approach, which is why each dog receives the time and attention it needs to learn a healthy and happy lifestyle. Not only do we take each dog’s needs into consideration, we do the same with the pet parents to make sure they can provide optimal training at home.

Our program is built around three core principles: timing, consistency, and motivation. Timing has to do with the way a dog’s brain processes cause and effect. This is very important because any dog’s behavior must have a consequence within 1.3 seconds for the dog to associate a behavior with a consequence. People usually praise or reprimand a dog too long after an event has taken place thus it is important for your dog to understand what behavior you are reacting to. Consistency is clear communication between a dog and its owner. You must promptly react the same way to any behavior your dog exhibits. Once more correction or praise must occur within the 1.3 second window. Finally, motivation influences a dog’s decision making. Positive and negative motivation can help praise or correct a dog’s behavior, as long as it is within the associated window of time.

These are the three things that training at Puptown is centered around. Our most popular program, Lodge and Learn, consists of your dog staying with our trainers at “doggy day camp” to learn and explore while learning manners and simple commands. Our professional trainers will take your dogs out on errands and to parks in order to learn real-world skills in different environments instead of being confined to a training ring. This also means that trainers won’t be working with your dog for a short period of time, but for several days to maximize your pup’s training experience.

Our dog training experts don’t just teach basic obedience but an array of skills to dogs of all ages. Dogs need to be on their best behavior not just for their owners, but to all members of society. The last thing a person wants is for the dog to frighten or even worse, bite someone. No owner wants to get a complaint about their dog or see it be taken away by the police or animal control. Here at Puptown we understand that dogs must also be good members of society, which is why our training includes controlling excessive barking, chasing people, and even redirecting bad potty habits. Our goal is to correct not only a dog’s bad behavior, but also an owner’s bad behavior. We want to see people and pets have mutual bonds that will bring more joy and a happier relationship.

When it comes to dog training patience is key, and our trainers want to help owners develop patience with their dogs in order to continue training and further foster improved behaviors. While training is imperative for young puppies to learn these behaviors as early as possible, here at Puptown we believe that all dogs are able to learn new things and can break bad habits. If a dog is having trouble learning, then the communication and motivation need to be altered so the dog can effectively learn a command or behavior. This goes back to understanding what a dog needs, and more specifically, the individual needs one dog will have instead of another. As every dog is unique, so is the Puptown approach to training. It is this approach that delivers great results and well-behaved dogs.

Woodlands Professional Puppy Trainer - Puptown Dog Training Houston