Chapter 12 — Pets & Animals
How do I train a puppy?
Start day one with a name, potty schedule (every 2 hours), and short 5-minute reward-based sessions. Reward the behaviour you want within 2 seconds, ignore what you don't. Consistency across the household matters more than cleverness.
Follow-up questions
When to start training?
8 weeks. Puppies learn fastest between 8 and 16 weeks — miss it and you're playing catch-up.
Positive vs correction training?
Modern evidence favours reward-based training for reliability and reduced fear-aggression. Corrections suppress behaviour without teaching alternatives.
How long to house-train?
4–6 months for most breeds. Small breeds and rescues can take longer.
Do group classes help?
Yes — mostly for socialisation. A private trainer is worth it for specific issues (reactivity, resource guarding).
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