The PetCot Company: Four Commands Your Puppy Should Learn

You've made the bold new step for your family by adding one more - only this one has four legs instead of two! As cute and furry as this new addition is, they also whine all through the night, have too many accidents on your carpet, and have started chewing up your shoes. It's time to start your new mission: train the puppy.

At The PetCot Company, we know how much of a commitment a new pet can bring to the family, but we also know how much joy and laughter they can bring as well - which makes it all worth it. Here are four commands your puppy should learn right off the bat, and how our PetCot beds can aid you in your mission.

SIT

This is generally one of the first things you'll want to train your puppy to do, and it can generally be one of the easiest. You can make it the easiest by holding a treat above their nose and raising it up and back which should cue your pup to sit naturally without having to push their tush down. As they begin to sit, say the command "sit", and when they do, don't forget to praise them and give them the treat!

As they become familiar with that command, begin saying it before they've completed the action. You'll probably have to complete the process many times, and practice it several times a day for it to become natural.

STAY

Teaching your pup how to stay teaches them self-control, and will be an invaluable command as they get older. You can start by showing them a treat and asking them to sit. From there, you will ask them to "stay" and take one step back. If they stay put, you give them a treat and start over. This will be a step by step process - literally! As they become comfortable with one step, you can increase the number of steps until they will stay for long periods of time.

Don't forget to teach them a release command. In many situations you will want your pup to stay until called back to you, so decide on a hand motion and/or verbal command that will signify that they can be released from staying.

You can also use the PetCot bed as a further challenge for staying. Many pet owners use the "place" command to communicate with their dog that they should go to a designated spot (like a PetCot), and then they should stay until released. This is more advanced, though, and should be used after they've mastered the easier commands.

COME

This command is an important one because there are most likely going to be times when you drop their leash, leave the door open too long, etc. Start by putting their leash on them, and when you say "come" give the leash a little tug so they will come. You can then reward them for their obedience and then try it all over again.

LEAVE IT

This command can be invaluable since puppies are generally very curious. While you may be able to control your pup while they are small, as they grow up and get larger, you won't be able to control them as easily when they try to eat something they shouldn't, chase after squirrels, or even try to dig around in the trash. Teaching your pup to "leave it" can be a little more of a challenge for them, but there are some great Youtube videos to give you a head start.

Give Your Pup a Place

Every new furry friend needs a place that they can call their own. While it may start out as a kennel, eventually you'll probably upgrade them to a "toddler bed" - like a PetCot! Our premium pet beds are ideal for providing a place for your pet to call their own, and a perfect spot to relax after a day of training! Visit our website to learn more about the sizes and colors available, and if you don't know what size you need, check out our past blog: Which PetCot Is the Right Size for YOUR Pet?

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!