How to Train Puppies With the Word No

It's time to puppy proof your home. Puppies are curious, eager to explore the world around them. Sometimes this curiosity leads them into trouble. Some of this mischief may simply be irritating for you, but it can even be dangerous for your puppy. Even if you hide all of the electrical cords and bite-sized objects, your puppy is bound to find something to get into. Teaching your puppy to leave objects, plants, people or even situations alone can keep it out of trouble and potentially save its life. Start teaching your puppy the word "no" as soon as it enters your home.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Supervise your puppy whenever you are able. Until it is fully trained and learns its rules and boundaries, keeping an eye on it will allow you to stop any mischief before it starts. Confine it in the room with you until you trust it to wander the house without getting into trouble.

    • 2

      Crate your puppy when you aren't home. This will keep it from getting into things and developing bad habits while you are away. If you aren't around to correct it, it will learn that this behavior is acceptable. Unfortunately for you, you should never correct your dog after the fact. This will only confuse it. You must catch it in the act, and crating it will help you avoid trouble that you can't fix.

    • 3

      Interrupt your puppy with a whistle or a loud clap when you see it getting into something (the garbage, for example). Speak the word "no" in a firm voice as you do this. Correct your puppy in this exact same way each time you catch it causing trouble or investigating something dangerous.

    • 4

      Reward your puppy with a treat and praise when it looks at you in response to your interruption. Give it his reward as quickly as possible (immediately is best) after it turns away from its mischief. This starts to teach it that listening to you is more rewarding than continuing the unwanted behavior.

    • 5

      Repeat Steps 3 and 4 every time your puppy tries to get into something it shouldn't. Gradually withhold treats for longer and longer periods after your interruption. For example, reward it after taking two or three steps away from the garbage. Then reward it after leaving it for five to ten seconds. Eventually stop using treats altogether. Never stop praising it, however.

    • 6

      Stop using your clap or whistle gradually once your puppy no longer needs the promise of a treat to respond. Clap every three or four times it gets into trouble instead of every time, relying on "no" the other times. Whistle or clap less and less often until the word "no" gets your puppy's attention every time.