How Do Puppies Learn?

Most dog owners would agree that training a puppy can be both difficult and time consuming, yet highly rewarding. It is, undoubtedly, a vital part of owning a dog. By finding out how puppies learn, this makes it easier for an owner to train and teach their puppy in the most effective and time efficient way.

So how do puppies learn? Puppies, like children, learn from the results of their behavior. So, if they do something and are rewarded for it, by, for example, a treat or a pat, they notice this and are much more likely to do it again.

On the other hand, if a puppy is actually punished for bad behavior, it may not realize that you want the bad behavior to stop. As an example, if you are angry at your puppy for going to the toilet on the carpet and punish it, it may begin to associate the punishment with actually going to the toilet in front of you. If this happens, your puppy may continue to go to the toilet on the carpet, just not when you are there, or they may do it in a place which you may not initially notice.

This being the case, it is far more effective to train your puppy by using a reward-based system when they do something right, rather than punishing them when the opposite is true.

Puppies can also learn and pick things up without you being aware of it. For example, if your puppy whines and you pay it attention, it will learn that whining produces a good outcome, like a cuddle or a treat. It is paramount that you do not inadvertently rewarding behaviors that are not desirable, or your puppy will continually persist with them.

Food can be used as a very effective tool in teaching and training your puppy. A special treat, such as diced chicken or hot dog, can be used to great effect. When your puppy does something right, say, for example, “yes” and give them the treat. In this way, they will come to view the word “yes” as a marker, or indication, that they have done the right thing and may be rewarded for that.

Take sitting as an example. Teaching your puppy to sit is not very difficult. Take the treat and hold it in front of their nose to get their attention. Then, move it slightly back and above their head. At this point, your puppy will look up and follow the treat, and as this happens, their bottom should hit the ground. When it does, say “yes” and give them the treat. By doing this, they will quickly learn that they earn a treat each time they sit on the ground.

There are lots of advice books and information available which claim to help with the training of puppies. Make sure that you follow a method which employs a reward, rather than punishment, scheme. This makes it very easy and enjoyable for you puppy to learn.