Puppy to Dog Train Tips

Training Your New Best Friend

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but also requires patience and the right tools for successful training. From collars and leashes to treats and toys, having the proper supplies can make all the difference in helping your furry friend learn good behavior from an early age. Let's take a look at some top training essentials.

Well-Made Leashes & Collars

A quality collar is a must for properly identifying and controlling your pup. Look for durable materials like genuine leather. The Soft Leather Buckle Cat Collar from PetCustomi features handcrafted calfskin leather with a classic buckle design. Available in multiple colors and sizes to fit most breeds. Opt for a leash that's comfortable for extended outdoor walks and sturdy enough to maintain control, such as PetCustomi's Premium Genuine Leather Dog Leash. For cute looks and added safety, accessorize with a Leather Removable Pet Bowtie.

Tasty Training Treats

Positive reinforcement with treats is key for teaching new tricks and commands. Look for small, smelly treats that puppies go mutts over. Avoid table scraps and stick to pet-safe, low-calorie options to prevent overfeeding.

Training Toys & Puzzles

Providing mental stimulation is important for intelligent, high-energy breeds. Food puzzle toys are great for reinforcing training while keeping your pup engaged.

Bells & Potty Training

Teaching your puppy to ring a bell before going outside can make potty training easier. Look for a collar with bells, like PetCustomi's Bell of Gold Leather Cat Collars.

Training Technique Tips

Start Training Early

Don't wait - begin training as soon as you bring your puppy home, ideally around 8 weeks old. Puppies have short attention spans, so keep sessions brief and frequent.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward-based training is more effective than punishment. Praise, treats, and playtime reinforce good behavior.

Be Consistent & Patient

Training takes time and repetition. Stick to the same commands and rewards, and don't get frustrated - celebrate small successes.

Socialize Your Puppy

Expose your puppy to new people, places, and experiences in a positive way during their critical socialization period before 14 weeks.

Popular Commands to Teach

Here are some useful basic commands every puppy should learn: Sit Stay Come Heel Down Leave It Drop It Off (deterring jumping) Work on mastering each one before advancing. Use a command word followed by a hand signal for reinforcement.

Collars for Growing Puppies

Puppies grow quickly, so you'll likely need to replace collars every few months. Look for adjustable styles that can fit your pup through their awkward growth phases. PetCustomi's Smooth Calfskin Leather Dog Collar features durable leather with holes for adjusting the size.

ID Your Pup

Don't forget an ID tag! PetCustomi offers Pet ID Tags with Engraving to keep your pup's name and your contact info handy if they ever get lost.

Track Your Pet

For added peace of mind, attach a Leather Airtag Chain to your pet's collar to easily locate them using Apple's Find My network.

Stylish Walking Sets

Once your pup has mastered basic obedience, level up to a stylish matching collar and leash set like PetCustomi's Tailored Soft Leather Harness Walk Set. This chic set coordinates a harness, collar, and leash in genuine leather for a sophisticated look.

Explore PetCustomi's Collections

PetCustomi offers a wide selection of collars, leashes, accessories and more to kit out your pup for training and adventures. Check out their collections: Frontpage Collection Dog Collars Accessories Dog Leashes ID Tags All Items New Cat Dog With the right supplies and training approach, you'll have an obedient, well-behaved pup to shower with love and adventures for years to come! Patience and positive reinforcement are key.

Advanced Training Tips

Once your dog has mastered the basics, you can start working on more advanced commands and tricks. Here are some ideas to keep their mind and body engaged:

Agility Training

Agility courses teach dogs to navigate obstacles like tunnels, ramps, and weave poles in a fun, active way. This mental and physical exercise builds confidence and strengthens the bond between you and your pup.

Scent Work

Put your dog's powerful nose to work by teaching them to detect specific scents. Scent work taps into their natural instincts while providing mental stimulation.

Trick Training

From rolling over and playing dead to more complex tricks like pulling a blanket off, trick training exercises your dog's mind and reinforces the positive reinforcement training approach. Have tasty treats on hand to reward their efforts!

Off-Leash Recall

The holy grail of training – teaching your dog to come when called off-leash. This takes time, patience, and committed practice, but can provide peace of mind when adventuring out in the world. Never stop reinforcing this important command.

Rally Obedience

An offshoot of competitive obedience, rally obedience courses have dogs heel through a course of signs indicating different skills to perform, like sit, stay, call front, and finish. It's a great way to keep working their obedience skills. No matter what advanced skills you want to teach, the right training supplies from PetCustomi like durable leather leashes and collars will help set your pup up for success.

Bonding Through Training

While dog training does require consistency and hard work, the process allows you to build a special bond with your furry friend. Stay patient and upbeat, and revel in those hard-earned wins, no matter how small. Before you know it, your once rambunctious puppy will transform into a loyal, well-behaved companion thanks to positive reinforcement training. Cherish each memorable milestone along the way!