Pugs are arguably one of the most coveted dog breeds. Their distinctive physical features, such as their wrinkled, wrinkled muzzle and large, doting eyes, along with their charismatic personalities, are part of what makes them so cute and lovable. Unfortunately, many people acquire this playful little dog before doing their due diligence on training a Pug or understanding the psychological profile of the typical Pug.

Pugs, in addition to being fun-loving, loving, sensitive, and loyal, are also stubborn, manipulative, and overly trusting. Therefore, pug obedience training is a high priority and should be done as soon as possible. Ideally anytime from 12 weeks of age to 6 months of age. Do your training in small isolated blocks of time. Puppies, like children, have short attention spans. The key to success is to repeat, repeat, repeat, and reinforce positive behavior with rewards.

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

If you already own a pug, chances are you’ve witnessed many pugs acting bigger than they are. They are also quite eager to greet new people and other dogs and are prone to jumping on others for attention. These traits can be safety concerns for your pug if left unaddressed, but luckily they are easily corrected with proper training.

Another attribute of a pug is his desire to please. Pugs are people dogs and they crave to be by your side at all times. It is important to keep this in mind because it can lead to attachment and socialization problems. Getting your pug used to other humans and dogs at a young age is recommended. Pugs generally interact very well with others, especially small children.

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

First, you need to establish your role as alpha dog and take control of your home. Although small and innocent looking pugs are stubborn and… They really are a different breed and have their own style. Have you ever heard the phrase “I don’t own a dog, I own a PUG”? Many Pug owners let their dogs have free reign of the house, including their bed and diapers. This type of behavior from the owner can send mixed signals and give the Pug the impression that he is the alpha dog of the house.

Once your alpha position is established, you must create ground rules for acceptable behavior around the house. Don’t be seduced by the cuteness of your pug! It’s not cute for your puppy to bite you while he’s playing, or cock his head when you call him to come and just sit there, or 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 if your pug will be able to be on the couch, in bed, beg for food, etc. from the first day your new companion comes home with you.

Pugs are creatures of habit, so you’ll need to institute a regular schedule that your Pug can count on day after day. Here are some areas to consider when creating a consistent schedule.

• feeding times
• Walking
• Play time/mental stimulation

I hope you found this article useful.

Until next time!

-Josh