Pugs are arguably the most loyal dog breed in existence today. Unfortunately their stubborn nature makes successful Pug training a challenge. Do you need a PhD in dog training to be successful at training a Pug? Let’s peel back the onion and take a look.

Training A Pug

Underneath the stubborn exterior and scrunched up face is a desire for acceptance from its master. Although Pug training is not an easy task, with patience, dedication, and consistency an obedient Pug is within reach. Pugs think they have earned the rights and privileges that come along with being a member of the family. It is your job to “educate” them on their place in the pack.

Why bother to train a Pug? Keep in mind that neglecting to train your Pug actually puts him at risk. His strong personality and desire to introduce himself to everyone can lead to dangerous situations if your Pug lacks the proper obedience training.

The first thing that needs to be understood with Pug training is that your Pug, no matter how cute, is an animal requiring proper training. The moment you begin treating your dog as a little member of the family and give him special privileges, the upper hand in training is lost. Training a Pug requires mental toughness on the owner’s part.

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Pug Training Fundamentals

Pugs typically lead sedentary lives so make sure to get your Pug in a consistent exercise routine from an early age. But don’t overdo it because their short snout makes breathing difficult if they get too overheated. Yes, Pugs have historically been companion lap dogs but they still love to get outdoors and have fun. They have short bursts of enormous energy that if recorded on video can prove to bring laughter to the family for years to come. I still have a recording of my dog Flex running circles in a shoebox as a puppy.

With a reasonable amount of exercise, you will find Pug training a much easier task. But, you still need to carefully plan your training activities.

• Training sessions in short burst training is the foundation for success. Focused training should be done on a daily basis in short 5 minute sessions. Anything longer than 5 minutes when they are young and it will be hard to keep their attention.

• Focus on the basics first when training a pug. Commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “down” should be mastered at a young age to avoid a lifetime of obedience problems. One of the hardest challenges for Pug owners is not letting them jump up on the couch. Placing a comfy dog bed on the floor directly next to your couch can alleviate the urge to jump up on the couch.

• Successful Pug training can be accelerated with the use of clicker training. Pug pretend to not hear you when being ornery but they do respond well to the sharp sound of a clicker. Clicker training can be utilized in your short burst training sessions.

• Positive reinforcement rewards are most effective when training a Pug. Negative punishment is not effective as it produces fear and breaks the trust between dog and owner. Good behaviors should be rewards with both treats and praise. With consistent repetition your Pug will quickly learn what makes you happy. Pugs crave physical attention so make sure to balance treats with a pat on the back. It will help the waistline as well!

At the end of the day Pug training is a challenging task but worth the effort. Remember to be firm but loving. Don’t let the cute Pug face get you to compromise your training efforts. Pugs have sixth sense when it comes to sniffing out a soft owner. Don’t give in to him as a puppy as it will be hard to regain that ground as an adult.