10 Training Tips for Your New Dog And How To Choose The Right Dog Training Treats

Once you bring your new dog home, it’s smart to begin training immediately. But where should you start? What’s the best way to train a puppy? And how do you train an adult dog?

There are a number of options for training your new pet. Whether you opt to train your puppy or dog yourself, take classes or hire a private trainer, you can implement the following basic training tips right away to make the process easier.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Start training the moment your new dog comes home; early consistency builds lasting habits.
• Always use positive reinforcement; rewards build trust and motivation faster than punishment.
• Choose training treats that are small, soft, and age-appropriate for your dog.
• Dogs live in the moment; correct unwanted behaviour immediately, not minutes later.
• End every training session on a positive note to keep your dog eager to learn.

Top 10 Dog Training Tips

These top 10 tips from professional dog trainers will help get you and your new pal on the right track.

Tip 1: Choose Your Dog's Name Wisely

Part of the fun of bringing home a new puppy or dog is finding the perfect name for them. But did you know certain names are better for training? It helps to consider a short name ending with a strong consonant that they can always hear clearly.

If your new pet is an older dog, they're probably used to their name at this point. However, changing it isn't out of the question. And if your new pal is coming out of an abusive situation, a new name may even represent a fresh start. Dogs are extremely adaptable. If you decide to give them a new name, use it consistently and soon enough your pup will respond to it.

Whatever their name, be sure to associate it with fun, pleasant experiences as much as possible, rather than negative ones. Ideally, your pup should think of their name in the same way they think of other fun stuff like walks or dinnertime.

Tip 2: Decide on the House Rules

Before your new furry pal comes home, decide what they can and can’t do. Are they allowed on the bed or the furniture? Are parts of the house off limits? Will they have their own chair at your dining table? If the rules are determined early, you can avoid confusion, for both of you.

Tip 3: Set Up a Private Den

Like humans, dogs need their own space. As early as possible, give your pup their own private sleeping place, such as a crate. Your dog will benefit from short periods left alone in the comfort and safety of their den; it can also be a valuable tool for housetraining. Be sure to reward your puppy or dog if they remain relaxed and quiet in their den.

Tip 4: Help Your Dog Relax

When your puppy gets home, give them a warm hot-water bottle and put a ticking clock near their sleeping area. This imitates the heat and heartbeat of littermates and will soothe your puppy in their new environment.

This tip may be even more important for a new dog that previously lived in a busy, loud shelter, particularly if they've had a rough time early in life. Whatever you can do to help your new pet get comfortable in their forever home will be good for both of you.

Tip 5: Reward Good Behaviour

Reward your puppy or dog's good behaviour with positive reinforcement. Use toys, love and lots of praise, and don't forget the treats, such as DENTASTIX™ treats. Let them know when they're getting it right. Along those same lines, never reward bad behaviour, as it'll only confuse them.

Tip 6: Teach Your Pup to Come When Called

“Come, Fluffy! Good boy!”

The first command you teach your pet should be to come. Get down on their level and tell your pup to come using their name. When they do, get excited and use lots of positive reinforcement. Next time, try the "come" command when they're distracted with food or a toy. As your puppy gets older, you'll continue to see the benefits of perfecting this command.

Tip 7: Train on 'Dog Time'

Puppies and dogs live in the moment; two minutes after they've done something, they've already forgotten about it. So when your pup is doing something bad, use your chosen training technique right away so they have a chance to make the association between the behaviour and the correction. Consistent repetition will reinforce what they've learned.

Tip 8: Discourage Jumping Right Away

Puppies love to jump up in greeting, and some adult dogs have learned bad habits. When your puppy or dog jumps on a person, don’t reprimand them; just turn your back on them, ignore the behaviour, and wait until they settle down before giving positive reinforcement. Never encourage jumping behaviour by patting or praising your dog when they’re in a ‘jumping up’ position.

Tip 9: Say No to Biting and Nipping

Instead of scolding your new pet, a great way to discourage your mouthy canine is to pretend you’re in a lot of pain when they bite or nip you; a sharp, loud yell should work. Most dogs are so surprised that they stop immediately.

If verbal cues don’t work, try trading a chew toy for your hand or pant leg. This swap trick can also work when a puppy discovers the joys of chewing on your favourite shoes. They tend to prefer a toy or bone anyway. If all else fails, interrupt the biting behaviour and respond by ignoring them.

Tip 10: End Training Sessions on a PAWsitive Note

Your puppy or dog has worked hard to please you throughout their training. Leave them with lots of praise, a treat, some petting or five minutes of play. This almost guarantees they'll show up at their next class or training session with their tail wagging, ready to work.

Bonus Tip: When your puppy is old enough, think about getting them neutered or spayed. The same goes if you adopt a dog. A neutered or spayed dog might be more docile, less aggressive and more open to successful training.

How Do You Choose Between Dog Biscuits, Treats, and Snacks for Training?

Not all dog treats are created equal, and the type you choose can make a big difference in how smoothly training goes. Here's what to consider:

• Choose small, soft treats for active training sessions.
• Save larger biscuits or snacks for end-of-session rewards, not mid-training repetitions.
• Match treat value to task difficulty; use a higher-value reward for challenging or distraction-heavy commands.

Always account for treat and snack calories within your dog's daily food intake to avoid overfeeding.

What Should You Look for on Packaging When Choosing Dog Training Treats?

Reading the label before buying training treats can save you from choosing something unsuitable for your dog's age, size, or health needs. Choose treats labelled for your dog's specific life stage, look for named protein sources, follow the recommended serving size, and avoid options with excessive fillers or artificial additives.

Which Dog Training Treats Work Best for Puppies vs. Adult Dogs?

The best training treat depends on your dog’s life stage; puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, jaw strength, and chewing abilities.

• For Puppies: Choose small, soft treats formulated for puppies, as they're still developing their teeth and digestive systems.
• For Adult Dogs: A wider range of textures and sizes works, but always match treat size to your dog's breed and body weight.