When to Start Training Your Puppy?

You’ll start training your pup from the moment you bring them home, but around 4-6 months, when their milk teeth start to fall out and their adult teeth come in, you’ll see your pup ready for more formal obedience training.

Keep their world small as they get to know their new home. Once your pup is confident and connected to you around the house, start looking for opportunities to set up positive dog interactions for your pup outside the home. Set up time with trusted dogs and their owners, so you and the other owner can control the interaction in a relaxed environment. Try to avoid puppy socialization classes as they are not geared towards the calm stability of each individual pup and can set up bad habits you’ll need to train out later. Our socialization exercises are with well-mannered dogs modelling behaviors we want in our pups in both a training setting and in controlled environment free play.

When out and about, your pup does not need to greet everyone it sees or get attention from everyone. That can end up being a habit you’ll have to ‘untrain’ later and depending on the pup, set your pup up for anxiety issues as they mature. When out with your pup, keep it simple. Model the behavior you want your pup to have as an adult dog. Be mindful and supportive of other owner’s training goals when in public as your goals might differ from theirs.

All that said, we know puppy training in Costa Rica presents challenges and training opportunities that are as unique as our breathtaking surroundings. Our insight, support and training methodology helps you and your pup thrive in Costa Rica or wherever you live. For more information, contact us. We’d love to get you and your pup on the path to your dream dog.