Dog trainers have said people must ensure they take two vital steps after they become new owners(Image: Getty Images)

Dog trainer reveals two vital steps owners must take in first day with new puppy

Top trainer Will Atherton has revealed the best practices for looking after and training a brand-new puppy during a sweet video with his German Shepherd, Reggie

by · The Mirror

New puppy owners must make sure they do two specific things within hours of making a new adoption, a renowned expert has warned.

Will Atherton, one of the UK's most popular trainers who has amassed nearly one million followers across YouTube and TikTok, has recently welcomed a new puppy. Reggie, the young German Shepherd, has given the seasoned owner an opportunity to tell those in the position for the first time what they need to do in those vital first moments.

In one video posted to his YouTube channel, Will broke down how they should spend their first 24 hours with their new dog to ensure their first night is "more successful". The video, titled 'How To Survive The First 24 Hours With Your New Puppy!', teaches people that they can find "massive success" by focusing on just two things.

Will Atherton walked new dog owners through the most important steps of owning a puppy( Image: Will Atherton Canine Training)

he trainer explained that people can prevent common problems if they get crate and toilet training out of the way. He said in the video: "If that's all you do in the first 24 hours, that is a massive success. Especially when it comes to crate training. If you can get your dog crate trained, or most of the way there, it's going to mean the first night is more successful.

"If you can get a dog well crate trained, it means that separation anxiety doesn't become a problem, you remove destructive behaviours, and it goes a massive way towards your toilet training." Owners new to toilet training should take their new puppy outside every hour, provided it is awake, after meals, drinks and naps.

Will demonstrates how a puppy should be treated to ensure their training is successfully embedded by wrapping the dog in his arms and heaping praise following a successful toilet trip outside. He adds that good behaviour can also be reinforced with treats and other methods of positive reinforcement.

He said that, using his methods, his new puppy stayed in his crate for up to 15 minutes during their first session and later dozed off. He added that he would attempt to extend that time during later training sessions while making the crate comfortable with a blanket that came from his litter and meals.