The best part about training your puppy is that it’s never too late to start. Dogs and pups are considered to be great companions. However, they need to be trained in order to have them in your house.
Now, if you own or have recently adopted a 5 month old puppy and are wondering how to train them, then you are at the right door. Today we are here with a complete guide on 5 month old puppy training.
We will discuss each and every detail related to training a month old and share some helpful tips! Therefore, bear with us till the end. And let’s get started .
Can a 5 month old puppy be trained?
If your puppy is 5 months old and not trained yet, nothing to worry about, because starting up a good association is never too late or early. Using a reward based training may give you fruitful results in no time.
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At 5-months old your puppy turns into a toddler officially. House training your puppy would need you to be patient, consistent and engage with positive reinforcement. Most puppies need 4-6 months to get home trained.
Additionally, some puppies may take around a year to be fully trained.
Tips to train a 5 month old puppy:
A 5 month old puppy can be trained. In fact it is the peak time. By this age your puppy should be completely house trained. Additionally, when he’s done with his house training you can take him to trips. However, the age of four to six months is ideal for training your pup.
Depending on the breed of dog and how fast they can adapt with things you may need to organize your house training. According to experts, it’s best to start their training by keeping them in a confined place.
Here are a few tips you can check out before you train your 5 month old puppy:
Maintaining a feeding schedule:
As a puppy they may require at least 2-3 meals a day. Make a proper schedule and feed them according to that. Try and avoid providing them excessive treats.
A feeding schedule is important as it will also maintain their potty schedule.
Teaching them to eliminate before they eat:
You can consume more food if you haven’t gone out in a while. Your stomach is bound to feel bloated. Therefore, you may need to take your pup out as soon as he wakes up in the morning.
It must be taught to eliminate before they get their breakfast. You may also want to take them out to do their business every 1 hour after the meal.
Additionally, you will need to ensure that you are taking them to the same place every time he wants to excrete. The place will have a smell of their excrete which will help them do their business next time.
Staying with them until fully trained:
You may need to go out and stay with your dog until they are fully house trained. As they are not fully trained and won’t necessarily recognise the area you may need to accompany them.
Additionally, you can give them a small walk around the neighborhood as a reward. Providing them with treats are rewards are the best ways of training your puppy.
Not punishing them for accidents:
It’s very common for puppies to have accidents till they turn a year old.you will need to act patiently and not give them a hard time about it. Apart from them, doing this might teach your puppy to fear you.
How long does it take to train a 5 month old puppy?
In some cases, it can take up to a year. Most commonly dogs get house trained by 4-6 months old. However, depending on the breed, and how adaptive they are might have an impact. Moreover, consistency and patience is the key when it comes to house training the puppy.
You must not lose patience. There are multiple factors that work together in training up your dog. For example, genetics. If the dog has parents who are excessively fast learners, then there’s a higher chance that the puppy will learn things faster or vice versa.
No matter what, you must not hurt or make your puppy fear you.
Potty training for 5 month old puppy:
Puppies do best when they are kept under a schedule. Typically, a five month old pup would be able to hold its bladder for 4-5 hours, not more than that.
Therefore, you would need them to empty their bladder every once in a while. Now, if your puppy isn’t potty trained yet, here are a few steps you can follow to potty train your pup:
Taking your puppy out frequently:
The first few days are gonna be a bit tough, however consistency is the key. You may need to take them out at least every two hours, after they wake up, before or after meals etc.
Picking a particular bathroom spot:
Make sure you’re taking your dog to the same spot every time. This makes them understand that it’s the spot where they are supposed to eliminate. As they use an exact place, they get used to the place, and eventually the spot consists of their poop smell.
Offering your puppy treats:
Every Time your puppy eliminates in the right place, offer them treats or reward them a little play time. This is a great way of potty training them. When you use treats and rewards they learn faster.
Crate training for 5 month old puppy:
You would want to place the crate where you and your family members like to spend a lot of time together. Here are a few things you can do to crate train your 5 month old puppy:
Introducing to the crate:
To get your pup used to the crate, you’d want to bring them over and interact with them in a happy tone. Additionally, make sure that the door of the crate is open and secured. Encourage them to go inside the crate using small food treats near them.
Remember not to force them to get inside, if they refuse to get in then do not push them to get in.
Feeding your dog in the inside:
Once your puppy gets used to the crate you would want to feed them meals around or near the crate. This helps create a pleasant environment. When your pup gets used to it, you can place a toy or their food bowl all the way inside the crate.
As they receive treats after entering the crate, it increases a positive association.
Crating your dog at night:
Before you make your dog sleep in the crate at night you’d want to spend a little more time around or in the crate. Additionally, you’d wanna put the crate in your bedroom or by the hallway.
As puppies need to be eliminated at least once during the night, you’d hear them whine if they need to go out.
Obedience training for 5 month old puppy:
Over everything else you’d want your 5 month old pup to be obedient towards you. Additionally, you will need to practice and train it for obedience. Here are a few things you can do to obedience train your pup:
Start with being consistent:
The first condition to train the puppy is to act consistent. For example, if you are going to teach it to not bark at the neighbors, you may wanna do it on a regular basis.
This will resist from creating any sorts of confusion, and the puppy will understand that it’s not supposed to act that way.
Offering treats:
Everytime they are carrying out a command successfully, offer them a treat or a reward. You can take them for small walks as a reward or simply play with them for a while. This encourages them to listen to your commands more often.
Additionally, you may also want to create a positive reinforcement around them. This helps them understand what you want from them.
Moreover, do not behave with the puppy in case any sorts of accidents occur. This will not teach them to be obedient, rather it will create an uncomfortable environment for your puppy.
Giving them time outs:
You would want to give them breaks.Additionally, one of the best ways to give your puppy time out is using a verbal sign. However, time outs shouldn’t be longer than a couple of minutes.
Leash training for 5 month old puppy:
Leash training is important as your puppies are still young and don’t have complete focus or self-control on themselves. Here are a few things you can do to leash train your puppy:
Getting used to the harness:
First things first. Start with introducing your puppy with the harness. Place it on the floor of your house, and let your pup sniff it for a while. You can put the harness on them for a while, praise them or offer them treats.
Starting with small steps and in different environments:
Once you put the leash on them, walk away, and they come to you. You would want to do this regularly and in a different environment. This way your puppy gets used to the leash.
Final thoughts
Once your puppy is 5 months old, he’s officially a toddler. Which means he’d be more active and playful. Additionally, if he’s not trained then you may want to start immediately. Mosty puppies get trained by the age of 4-6 months. However, in some cases it can be more than that. Bear with patience!