4 Puppy Training Hacks

When you first decided to adopt a dog, you might have expected puppy training to be a ton of fun. But when you imagined a little dog frisking around and chewing on his leash as you take him for walks, you certainly didn't picture puddles of pee on your floor or all the nighttime barking and whining. Just because you've hit a few snags along the way doesn't mean learning how to train your puppy has to be tough. It can be as fun as you hoped it would be. If you're wondering how to train your pup so that you'll both have a good time, read on. These four dog training hacks are the best place to get started.

1. Stick with Sleep Training

Thought sleep training was just for babies? You're barking up the wrong tree (sorry, bad pun). Puppies need help learning proper sleep habits just like children. If you haven't taken your dog home yet, know that for the first few days, maybe even a week, it may be difficult to get some shuteye. Why? Well, besides being a "baby" just learning about the world, your pet is in a brand new environment, and that's a huge adjustment.

Getting your pup familiar with the differences between day and nighttime starts with a few small steps. First, make a comfortable environment for your pet to bed down. A lush doggy bed or comfortable blankets in a crate will add a sense of comfort to the evening routine. Next, it's time for lights out. While you may think keeping a low light on will put your puppy at ease, you're forgetting that your job is to teach your pet the difference between night and day. Just like humans, dogs produce a sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin, says Preventive Vet. Because lights affect how the body produces melatonin, a dark room is a must. Besides the lights, you should turn off or cover all phones and TV screens.

Then, it's time for the training. Just like babies, your puppy may wake up in the middle of the night because he needs to relieve himself. Don't deny him the opportunity, but at the same time, don't make a big deal about the awake time either. If your dog wakes you up and you suspect he may need to pee, bring him outside, avoiding eye contact and too much verbal interaction. These will only stimulate your pet. If your puppy whines a lot for attention, the most important thing to do is to ignore him. While it is hard to ignore the whimpers of a sad puppy (especially if they're keeping you up), it's important that he understands that at nighttime he is supposed to be sleeping and you're not there to give him attention.

Be proactive and cut the food and treats a few hours before bedtime, but don't forget to take your pet out a few more times to empty his bladder. It can also be a good idea to play with him a couple of hours before bedtime to wear him out. Don't play with him right before bed because this will keep his body and mind in an active state and will keep him awake. Give his body some time to get tired after play and he'll be out before you know it.

And finally, be patient. Sleep training takes patience and consistency. Then, once your puppy learns positive sleep skills, everyone will go back to getting their beauty sleep.

2. Be Belt Buddies

Is your puppy making puddles on the floor, or worse, is he sneaking into different rooms to relieve himself? One of the easiest ways to ensure your pet doesn't to get into any trouble is to keep him close to you at all times. Though this isn't always easy when you're busy cleaning, cooking, chasing children or simply vegging out on the couch after a long day of work, don't fret. There's an easy way to keep your pet close regardless of what activity you're doing.

Leash your dog and attach the end of the strap to your belt loops. Opt for a long leash or lead, and your dog will never be more than a few feet away from you at all times. Then, when you notice your pet getting antsy or whining, you can run him right outside to practice his potty training routine.

Granted, this tip won't work if you're in the shower, but there's no reason why your dog can't rest on the bath mat.