Start As You Mean to Continue: Early Training Matters More Than You Think

31 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, I was given some advice that has stayed with me for all of these years - because honestly, it's applicable to many situations.

The advice in question? Start as you mean to continue.

If you want polite children? You start teaching manners early. If you want them to eat healthy? You introduce healthy foods from the beginning. It's as simple as it sounds, but incredibly effective. Now, replace the word 'children' with 'dog'. Because it applies to puppies too!

One thing we’ve always seen a lot of in training sessions is something that we call: The 'Cute Puppy' Trap.

People bring home a cute, little puppy at 8 weeks old. They're soft, wobbly, and impossible not to love! So, naturally... they get away with everything.

Jumping up? Cute! Climbing all over the kids? Adorable! Pulling on the lead? No biggie, they're so small!

And that’s the trap.

Because that cute, little puppy doesn’t stay little for very long.

That little fluffball might turn into a 25kg, 35kg… even 50kg dog right before your eyes.

And all of a sudden, Jumping isn't cute because it's knocking your guests over. Climbing on the kids isn't so adorable because it's scaring them now. Pulling on the lead isn't harmless because it's making walks unbearable.

It's important to remember at this point when you're feeling frustrated with these behaviours that your dog's behaviour hasn’t actually changed or gotten 'worse'. They've just gotten bigger so have more impact.

Puppies are always learning, right from the very moment that you bring them home - they're watching & learning what works in your world.

If jumping gets them attention, even if it’s laughter or a push off - they learn: “Hey, this works! The human is giving me attention! I’ll do it again.”

If pulling gets them where they want to go: “Perfect! This is how I get to my destination!”

Dogs repeat behaviours that are successful. It’s how they are biologically wired, right from birth.

Which is exactly why: You need to set the standard early.

Have a think about behaviours while they're puppies. Will this behaviour be okay when they're big? If not, don't allow it now.

That doesn’t mean being harsh or strict - it just means being clear and consistent to avoid confusion in your dog, which is actually a kindness. Dogs love clear expectations.

For example:

• Want them to calmly greet you & your guests? Teach four paws on the floor from day one.

• Want them to walk nicely on a loose lead? Start reinforcing it from your very first walk.

• Want a dog that can relax around guests? Show them what that looks like while they’re young.

  
  

Puppies are like little sponges - the earlier you give them your expectations, the quicker they'll absorb it!

Our aim at IdaBoss Dog Training is to not just train the dog infront of us at face value. We want to train them for their history & the dog they've been, aswell as their future & the dog that they will become. We want to help them reach their fullest potential.