Pug Training Mindset: Psychological Insight on Training a Pug

December 20, 2017

Pugs are arguably one of the most coveted dog breeds. Their distinctive physical characteristics like their scrunched, wrinkled snout and big, doting eyes along with their charismatic personality are part of what makes them so cute and lovable. Unfortunately many people acquire this playful little dog before doing their due diligence regarding how to train a Pug or understanding the psychological profile of the typical Pug.

Pugs in addition to being fun, affectionate, sensitive and loyal they are also indeed stubborn, manipulative and overly confident. Therefore pug obedience training is high priority and should take place as early as possible. Ideally anytime from 12 weeks of age onto 6 months of age. Do your training in small isolated blocks of time. Puppies just like children have short attention spans. The key to success is repeat, repeat, repeat and reinforce positive behavior with a treat rewards.

It's also important to know that Pugs are highly motivated by food!

If you are already a pug owner then you have likely witnessed that many pugs act larger than they are. They are also quite eager to greet new people and other dogs and are prone jumping up on others for attention. These traits can be safety issues for your pug if they are not addressed but fortunately are easily corrected with proper training.

Another attribute of a pug is their desire to please. Pugs are people dogs and they long to be by your side all the time. This is important to note because it can lead to attachment and socialization problems. It is recommended to accustom your pug to other humans and dogs at a young age. Pugs generally interact great with others, especially with small children.

Once Pug psychology is understood you are now ready to move forward with actual mechanics of Pug training. You can find more detailed article by searching on "pug training" or "how to train a pug" but here is an abbreviated list for your convenience.

First, you must establish your alpha dog role and take control of your household. Although small and innocent looking pugs are headstrong and... They are truly a different breed and have a way all their own. Ever heard the phrase "I am not a dog owner, I am a PUG owner!"? Many Pug owners let their dogs have free reign of the house, including their bed and couches. This type of owner behavior can send mix signals and give the Pug the impression they are the alpha dog in the house.

Once your alpha position is established you need to create ground rules for acceptable behavior in the house. Do not be seduced by your pug's cuteness! It is not cute for your puppy to bite you while playing or to tilt his head when you call him to come and he only sits there, or to bark at the squirrels, or, or... well I hope you get the point here. Everything you do or don't do is considered Pug training in the eyes of your Pug. You need to determine whether your pug will be allowed on the couch, in bed, to beg for food and so on from the first day your new companion comes home with you.

Pugs are creatures of habit so you will need to institute a regular schedule your Pug can count on day in and day out. Here are some areas to consider when creating a consistent schedule.