Many people want to leap right into training their puppy, almost the very instant they bring him home. One of the reasons for this is because the puppy may be behaving in ways that don't endear them to their new humans. Another reason is that training is a great way for humans and their puppies to bond with one another. Nonetheless, your puppy should have a period of relative freedom until it's about 4 to 6 months old.
Now, just because you're not formally training your puppy when it's very young, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't be keeping her contained in public. An important part of your puppy equipment is a well-fitting collar and leash to be used when you're going to be out in public.
This control is for the benefit of others, as well as yourself. You wouldn't be happy about your puppy suddenly running into a busy street, would you? Not only would you not be happy, you could be devastated and end up with a broken heart. In addition to avoiding potential disaster, it's quite likely that there is a leash law in your area that forbids you from allowing your puppy to run free.
When you go out in public -- to a park or other public venue -- you want to make sure that your puppy stays close to you. Otherwise, she might bother an older dog, which could result in a painful encounter. Alternatively, your dog might get over-excited and accidentally hurt a person or another dog.
You will want to ensure that your puppy is getting enough exercise and enough time outside. Exercise is the best way you can ensure that your growing puppy's bones and lungs are growing strong. Try to exercise daily, even if you have to cut the exercise period short on some days. In addition to getting her needed exercise, getting out every day enables your puppy to start getting used to strangers in public places. And, as yet one more benefit of exercise, it'll help your puppy to sleep better.
Once your puppy is at least four months old, you can begin formal training. As a matter of fact, this is the best age at which to start training, because dogs (like people) become more set in their ways and harder to train as they get older. That doesn't mean, though, that you should start your puppy off with the toughest training you know. Start out with just ten minutes training per day. Perhaps in two five-minute sessions.
Puppies tire very easily. She won't be able to handle a lot of training at first. Still, make sure that your brief training sessions are regular. Try to make sure they take place at the same time every day. This routine will reassure your puppy that you take these sessions seriously. To reinforce the regularity and the association with training, you might try to wear the same shoes or jacket each time you train.
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