Start socializing your puppy as soon as possible. This is especially important for larger breed dogs since they grow fast and are already of decent size with 4 to 5 months. If you have children teach them to respect the animal. Puppies biting children happens mostly because they are afraid of them and want them to go away. Teach your children that a dog is a companion, not a toy, even if it is still very small.

Another important thing is to teach your dog/puppy respect. Never beat a dog or a puppy! When you are still in the process of housetraining and an accident happens, don’t punish it. It is most likely YOUR fault, not the puppy’s!

Always award good behavior with praise and show your love. But be firm, the little cutie might easily convince you to let him get away with too much. Be consistent and start training from early age on. Be patient and repeat the commands, remember, it’s a puppy, a baby, things take time.

Puppy and the Leash

First and foremost, use harnesses at the beginning. Harnesses are less likely to hurt a puppy or even a grown, small dog in case it starts to pull. Proper leash training is important to make your walks together fun and pleasure and not strength training.

Keep the leash loose at all times. If your puppy forges ahead don’t pull, but turn around and change directions. The puppy finds himself all of a sudden behind you. Don’t drag your puppy towards you, watch that the leash always stays loose and turn in a second if you see the little guy taking off. Give it a little tug, but release pressure immediately.

Don’t even give him the opportunity to pull! Prevent pulling by correcting him BEFORE he can pull. Puppies are curious, don’t expect your pup to walk besides you on the leash in perfect heel position within a few days. Again, be patient at the beginning.

If your puppy is stubborn and won’t respond to your direction change, stop. Don’t pull it towards you; don’t let him pull further away. Stop and wait. It might take seconds, it might take minutes, be consistent.
Your puppy will eventually get the message and come back to you. The more often you practice that “I am not moving if you are not following my command”, the easier it will be for the puppy to understand what you want him to do.

Don’t use choke collars! Choke collars should only be used for adult dogs for a certain breed, if ever.

Puppy Jumping

Puppies like to jump, especially when they are happy to see you coming back. Don’t allow it! It’s not only dangerous but also very annoying. A jumping dog might seriously injure children or elderly people, even if the dog only intended to be “friendly”.

Teach your puppy to stay down. When you come into your home and puppy starts jumping, get down to his level and pet him. If he keeps jumping gently put his feet back on the floor and praise him.
Do not reward him for jumping all over you, and don’t give in. Do not lift him up to cuddle when he is jumping, lift him up when he is obedient and stayed on the floor. Don’t allow other people to let the puppy jump on them. Tell them it’s a no-no, and not to accept it.
Be patient, be patient, be patient!

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