YOUR PUPPY NEEDS THESE!!

Training a new puppy is such an exciting, and sometimes challenging, adventure! When Royce joined our family, teaching him the 'sit' command quickly became a priority. And let me tell you, finding the right motivation for him made all the difference. Those 'etta says SIT! cheddar cheese training treats' we found were an absolute game-changer. They're small, super tasty (at least to Royce!), and low in calories, making them perfect for repetitive training without overfeeding. Here's my personal take on how we taught Royce to 'sit,' using these amazing treats. First, I always make sure we're in a quiet spot with minimal distractions – the living room usually works best. I hold one of the 'etta says SIT!' treats right up to his nose, letting him sniff it. Then, I slowly move the treat upwards and slightly back over his head. As his nose follows the treat, his bottom naturally lowers to the ground. The very instant his bum touches the floor, I excitedly say 'Yes!' and pop the treat into his mouth. It’s all about timing that reward perfectly! We keep these sessions super short, just 2-3 minutes at a time, but we do them several times a day to maintain his interest and prevent him from getting bored. Once he started consistently sitting with the treat lure, I began adding the verbal command 'Sit!' just as I moved the treat. So it became: 'Sit!' (move treat), (he sits), 'Yes!' (treat). Over time, I gradually phased out the physical lure, and now he sits promptly just by hearing the word! This positive reinforcement method really built his confidence. Beyond 'sit,' these treats are wonderful for introducing other basic commands like 'down' and 'stay.' It's incredible how much easier training becomes when you have a treat your puppy truly loves. And while we’re on the topic of happy puppies, let's not forget about teething! A puppy distracted by sore gums won't focus on training. That's why having durable 'Nylabone Teething Puppy Chew' toys, like the ones we got at Hollywood Feed, is essential. They really help soothe his discomfort, which in turn makes him more receptive to learning. We also make sure to keep his pearly whites clean with a good quality 'dog toothbrush' – healthy teeth, happy pup, and better focus for training! What are your go-to training treats or techniques for teaching your puppy new tricks? Share your wisdom!