Instructions
Praise what your puppy does, even if it wasn't intentional. For example, if your puppy urinates outside, lavish praise on him and attach a word to the behavior. Over time, he will understand that the word is associated with a desired behavior and will get him something he wants such as a treat. Consequences for a behavior should be immediate, so a treat or praise should be given when the behavior occurs, not before or after. This gives your puppy the clear message that what he just did was good. Never use punishment for unwanted behavior, because, according to the ASPCA, the only thing it will teach your puppy is fear and distrust.
Work with your puppy on basic commands every day. This includes sit, stay and down as well as walking properly on a leash. Again, lavish praise and treats for a job well done, puppy-style. This builds confidence in your puppy and strengthens the bond between you, making him want to please you. Puppies thrive on a consistent schedule and learn faster from repetition because it models the way dog learn in a pack.
Go for a daily walk with your puppy. This isn't just for exercise. In fact, the walk is a way for a dog pack to bond, and this is your way of being the pack leader to your puppy. When you encounter other dogs or people, speak to your puppy in a calm, assertive voice and be sure to praise your puppy when he exhibits good behavior. Puppies naturally pick up the energy of their leader, so if you feel calm, he will too. He will also be instinctively encouraged to follow your lead.
Be patient with your puppy. Expect mistakes and a few setbacks, but don't give up and don't get angry.Much of dog training is actually human training in patience, kindness and consistency. If both of you are frustrated, neither of you will make progress, so take a break. Relax with your puppy and play with a toy for awhile. Go back to training when you are both ready. Don't however, let bad behaviors continue to occur. If necessary, ignore the puppy or give him a time out to make your expectations clear.
Train your puppy to respond to vocal commands and a clicker combined with hand signals. Use a vocal command and hand signal to administer the command, such as sit, then click the clicker and give your puppy a treat to register success. Your puppy will learn to associate the clicker with obedience through classical conditioning. In addition, getting your puppy used to visual commands will extend the reach of your command, if your puppy is out of hearing range or loses his hearing as he ages.
How to Train a Puppy to Obey
A new puppy is a welcome addition to your family and is also a big responsibility. To teach your puppy what behaviors are acceptable, you first have to train him to listen to and obey your commands. This will give you the opportunity to develop a good relationship with clear expectations for your puppy. Training your puppy to obey you also makes it easier for you to predict his behavior and correct it as necessary.