How to raise a good dog - Part 2 - 10 ways to set your puppy up for success

Last week, I shared the first 5 ways to raise a good dog, setting your puppy up for success. Here’s Part 2

For most of us, our dogs are part of our family. While they share our lives and homes, dogs are a different species and speak a different language. They have different needs and they don’t think like we do, so what do you need to do to raise a puppy?

6. Toilet train your dog

All dogs can, and should be toilet trained.  When a dog is learning where and where not to go to the toilet, make it easy for them to succeed. 

It’s up to you to teach them where it’s appropriate to go because it makes very little difference to them. 

Be consistent and be kind.  Dogs don’t want to get it wrong, but in the early stages of learning (whether they’re puppies or just new to you) they do experiment from time to time - ‘What happens if I pee here?’, ‘What about over here?’

Anticipate when they need to go to the toilet and take them outside (or to their toileting area).  

Give them loads of praise and attention for going in the right spot.   Again, persistence is the key.

7. Teach your dog to enjoy being touched

For some dogs, being touched is a no-no. It makes them extremely uncomfortable. But most dogs will need a visit a vet and possibly a groomer, so you must teach them that being touched is OK. 

If your dog gets snappy when they’re handled, it’s tempting to give up. But you can desensitize them to being poked, prodded and groomed by giving them lots of praise and treats. 

The Training Method: Start by doing the ‘horrible’ thing first (for example, brush them once) and immediately follow it up with a good thing, like a treat.  

After enough repetition your dog will start associating the brush with the treats and therefore start to enjoy being brushed. 

Teaching them to “stand” while they’re being handled is useful as most visits to the vet require their rear ends to be accessible. 

8. Let your dog off leash

Off leash play in a safe environment is wonderful for both you and your dog.  Dogs burn off a lot more energy chasing each other than they will on an on-lead walk, and they also get plenty of practise reading and exhibiting dog body language.

Make sure your dog is well-socialized and has a strong recall before you venture off leash.

9. Help your dog cope with being home alone

Many dogs are left alone in the back yard for hours and when they destroy things, dig up the yard, escape or bark incessantly, their owners label them as badly behaved. 

The fact is they are stressed and frustrated and letting you (and the neighborhood) know in the only way they can. 

If a dog has a view of the world going by, it can be extremely frustrating for them. 

They’re much calmer, and therefore happier if they can’t see cars and people whizzing by. 

To help keep him entertained throughout the day, feed your dog his breakfast inside a treat toy or puzzle toy, or throw his kibble all over the yard to make him  hunt for his food. 

Create a digging pit which is a designated area of the garden that is filled with treats and toys, so that he gets exercise and is also rewarded for digging in the same place. 

If you can’t come home at lunchtime to break up his day, consider hiring a dog walker, or taking him to a doggy daycare. 

He’ll make lots of friends and will be tired and calm when he gets home.

10. Let your dog socialize with other dogs

Dogs don’t like meeting other dogs when they’re on leash and it certainly doesn’t come naturally to them. 

Dogs find it intimidating if another dog comes straight towards them, as they prefer to circle round each other, sniff butts and faces and have the room to express and read body language. 

By keeping them on a tight lead, you’re restricting their ability to act like a dog, which can make the situation tense and could lead to an outright fight. 

Give your dog space to greet other dogs and if that’s not possible, cross the road and wait until the other dog and owner have passed. 

You don’t have to let your dog meet every dog they come across, but allowing them to act like a dog when they do, will make things less stressful for everyone. 

Happy dogs playing and resting together

If you’re unsure how to toilet train your puppy, download my free puppy potty training guide