Ready to get started teaching your new pup? You can usually start potty training a puppy around the age of six weeks old.
This is also a good age to start clicker puppy training.
Clicker training often works very well with puppies because they are learning at a very fast rate at this age and they are very motivated by rewards, i.
e.
, food.
Playtime and any kind of positive reinforcement work very well with puppies, too.
With clicker training, you will need a clicker, a baggy or bait pouch for treats, and some treats.
Depending on what you want to teach your puppy, you may also need a flat buckle collar and a leash.
The concept of clicker training for your puppy is very simple but it does take a little patience.
In the beginning you simply wait until your puppy does something you like and then "click" to let him know you liked it.
As soon as you click you give your puppy a reward (treat).
Your puppy won't know why he's getting the reward but that's all right.
As soon as he does the "thing" you liked again, click again and give him another reward.
If your puppy is doing something frequently then whatever he is doing will be quick and easy to teach by command.
Sometimes you may have to wait for your puppy to do something you like, but just be patient, and sooner or later he'll do it.
You can quickly teach your puppy to "look at you.
" This is a good beginning lesson to teach a puppy since you want them to get in the habit of paying attention to you.
Hold a treat close to your face and say your puppy's name and "Look at me!" Use a happy, upbeat voice.
" When your puppy looks at your face, use your clicker and click, then give him the treat.
You can repeat this as many times as you want to get your puppy in the habit of looking at you when you ask him to do so.
This is also a good introduction to the clicker as your puppy starts to learn that when you click the clicker it means he's done something you like and he'll get a reward.
You can go on to teach your puppy to sit by clicking whenever you see him sit on his own.
You may have to help him out a bit since most puppies don't naturally sit over and over on their own.
When he does sit, you click and reward him.
Then, to get him to sit again, toss a treat to the side so he has to go get it.
Wait for him to sit again, click, reward.
If this approach doesn't work, you can lure him into position if necessary.
Hold a treat at nose level and slowly move it up and over his head.
As he moves his head backwards he will probably plant his bottom on the ground so he can move his head back.
When he sits you should click and reward him.
Then keep repeating.
Clicker puppy training is more than just giving dogs treats.
They are not simply learning tricks.
If you watch your puppy as you teach him, you'll see that he's having to think about things and figure out what to do.
Clicker puppy training introduces puppies to learning and it's a positive way of teaching.
Puppies and dogs enjoy the accomplishments of the training which makes them eager to learn.
Try it with your puppy and see how much he welcomes his training.