When you become a new Pug owner, one of the first steps you need to take is training your Pug on basic commands and obedience. Training is extremely important to forming a deeper bond and respect with your Pug and ensuring that your Pug reacts well in a myriad of situations. Training will teach your Pug to listen to you and respond to commands accordingly.

In addition, proper training will include socialization to teach your Pug how to respond to strangers, other animals, noises, children, and everything else that he may encounter when out in the world. Below is a beginner’s guide on how to train a Pug to get you started on working with your Pug today.

Positive Reinforcement Training

Training a Pug may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right information and knowledge, it can become a bonding experience for you and your dog.

While training your Pug it is important to use positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is based on the belief that dogs will develop good behavior by being rewarded when they exhibit the correct behavior and do well.

An example of positive reinforcement training is if you are teaching your dog to sit and each time he successfully sits on command, he is rewarded with a small treat or favorite toy.

Each dog responds differently to positive reinforcement based on their breed, personality, and bond with their owner. To best train your Pug, try different types of training to see what works best with your dog and be sure to trust your instincts about what works for your dog and you as an owner.

Tips for Training a Pug

Start Young

One of the best methods for training a Pug is to begin when they are young. By training your pug as a puppy, it teaches him early in life how to interact with the world and develops a close bond with you that will last a lifetime.

Puppies are incredibly intelligent and can learn quickly, but they can only effectively train for a small period of time. When training a Pug puppy, try to work with them for fifteen minutes at a time twice a day and as they get older, increase the length of time for each training session.

Join A Training Class

When learning anything in life, seeking the help of a qualified professional will help set you on the right path forward.

To train your Pug, look for a local, qualified professional dog trainer with a training style you are comfortable with.

It is recommended that you meet with them one-on-one prior to joining a group training class in order to discuss your specific dog’s needs and issues and their approach to helping you work on them. 

Training classes also offer a socializing environment for other dogs and people, which is an additional benefit.

Build Respect

One of the most foundational aspects of successful training is that there must be a mutual respect between you and your dog. This will prompt your dog to listen to you and respond to you as you embark on your training journey.

Your dog needs to understand that you are his parent and leader and that he should trust you, even when that means doing something uncomfortable that is necessary for his well-being (such as trimming his nails).

Keep in mind that respect is not developed overnight, but training together and teaching your dog to listen to you will be a huge step in building a mutual respect and successful training relationship.