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Training & Development3 Month Old Puppy

Let’s Start With the BasicsPositive Reinforcement Training For 3 Month Puppies

At this age your 3 month puppy is a ball of energy, a bundle of joy, and most importantly a little baby. Try to remember this throughout your training and daily interactions. Always practice positive reinforcement training techniques and avoid punishment entirely. Let’s start a training routine ASAP. By 3 months old your puppy is ready to start learning basic commands, the training foundations you instill now are going to carry on throughout your puppy’s life.


Pick a Positive Marker

A positive marker is a word, phrase or sound that can be used to tell your pup he has done something right. Common markers are “Good boy”, “Good Girl”, “Yes”, or the simple click of a training clicker. Make sure to use the same marker every time you reward your pup.

The Right Reward

Treats, or food based rewards are the most common form, but you should use several reward techniques to keep your pup guessing. Toys, playtime, and affection are all great ways to show your puppy that you like what you are seeing. Make sure to reward your puppy early and often. Soon your baby will associate the reward with the behaviors and start to do it naturally, without you even having to ask!

Praise & Treat, Don’t Craze & Beat

Negative reinforcement at this age is counterproductive and will simply scare your little darling, and will most likely create an adverse reaction. Your new puppy will undoubtedly chew things he is not supposed to and have accidents in the house. Keep your spirits high, correct the situation and praise your puppy when he does something right.

Consistency

Puppies thrive off routine. Stay consistent with your training and try to work on new commands and behaviors often. Your puppy learns by doing and the repetition will help keep your pup out of trouble!

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A Shout Out to Early Socialization!

At 3 months of age your pup is going through a critical development and socialization period. What your puppy learns now will set the stage for how he interacts with the world in the future. Positive exposure to new people, new animals, new surroundings, and new training lessons should all be part of your pup’s daily routine.

If your pup shows fear or anxiety, take a step back, reassess, and plan on more gradual exposure in the future. We will discuss socialization more next month, but remember to get out there as early as possible to experience the world!

Nipping, Nipping in the BudIs my puppy teething or do I just really taste good?

Puppy nipping and play biting is an issue for all new puppy owners! It is painful and can be downright irritating at times. This is a natural part of the puppy teething process, and with a little training your puppy will focus less on your hands, and more on pawrent approved chew toys. Here are a few tips to nip the nipping.

3 month puppy biting

How to Handle Nipping

Puppy nipping offers a great opportunity to teach your puppy what he is and is not allowed to bite and chew. This is really a twofold process.

  • If you are playing with your 3 month puppy and he starts nipping at your hands, the most important thing to do is stop playing. If you stop and ignore the little furdemon every time your pup lunges for your hands then he will start to understand that nipping equals an end to playtime.

  • Teach your puppy what to chew, bite and nip. Use the bate and switch technique listed next.

The Bate and Switch (Approved Chew Items)

Constant supervision is the best way to direct your pup’s attention to the approved chews! Every time your pup nips at your hands, feet, and clothing, or if you see your 3-month puppy heading into the shoe closet for another victim, try to redirect attention to an approved chew.

Squeaking toys, rubber toys, bones, whatever works to redirect that need to chew and bite. All pups are different, different strokes for different folks as they say. So stock up on a variety of options and make sure it is more appealing than the new pair of Jordans in the closet.

Buying the Right Toy

Dominating the puppy teething stage is all about enticing your pup with the right options. It is important that you find the right chews for the right stage of your pups teething.

Soft plush toys are great for snuggling and for the bate and switch, soft rubber and bully sticks are a great option for soothing the aching gums, and stuffable/treat dispensing toys are ideal for keeping your pup interested on that approved chew item for long periods of time.


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