How to Train Puppies in Waukesha, Wisconsin

Puppies are adorable and friendly, but can also be incredibly destructive. From chewing to soiling the carpets, many pet owners are shocked at the damage a puppy can cause. For this reason, it's important that puppies receive quality, reward-based training from a young age. Young puppies learn more quickly than adult dogs, so training your puppy helps to ensure it will grow into a well behaved member of the family. Because of its many parks, dog runs, dog trainers and open spaces, Waukesha, Wisconsin provides many opportunities to train puppies.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Leash
  • Chew toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a dog trainer or puppy kindergarten. Both the American Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the American Kennel Club recommend using reward-based methods for training dogs, and both organizations have lists of local trainers in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Group training classes allow your puppy to get quality socialization with other dogs, which can prevent aggression and other inappropriate behavior in adulthood. Puppy kindergarten will help your dog to learn basic commands like sit, stay and come.

    • 2

      Socialize your dog. Puppies have a critical period of development, between four and 16 weeks, during which they are receptive to new experiences. Expose your puppy to lots of other dogs, cats, people, children and anything else your puppy will encounter in adulthood. Dog parks are an excellent location to begin socialization with your puppy. Waukesha has at least two excellent dog parks -- the Minooka Dog Park at 1927 E. Sunset Drive and Waukesha Dog Run at Comanche and MacArthur roads.

    • 3

      House train your dog. Reward your puppy with a treat every time it uses the bathroom outside. If you catch your puppy soiling carpets, immediately carry your puppy outside. Do not punish accidents.Training clubs like the Western Waukesha Training Club (seespotsit.com) can help owners with house training and other basic puppy skills.

    • 4

      Teach your puppy to walk on a leash. Hold a treat in your hand by your leg. This encourages your puppy to stay close to you. Give your puppy treats every few minutes for walking next to you. If your puppy pulls on the leash, stop walking because this teaches puppies that pulling will not make you walk faster. After your puppy has begun to walk well on a leash, take your puppy into crowded areas to practice walking with distractions. Waukesha's many parks are excellent locations to practice leash-walking. See the Resources section for a complete list of parks.

    • 5

      Give your puppy chew toys. Teething puppies need to chew and will destroy furniture if they are not given an appropriate toy. If you catch your dog chewing on furniture, redirect its attention to a chew toy and praise it when it chews on the toy. Avoid yelling or making a big scene when your dog chews on the wrong thing. This is attention, which is rewarding for dogs, and will encourage your puppy to continue chewing on furniture and other items.