Many puppy parents are discovering the long-term benefits of training their little buddies from day one: well-trained pups generally grow into socialized, well-behaved dogs. For you new pup parents, here are some basics from Puppy Training 101.

First off, be patient and consistent. Yelling will only make your puppy fearful and anxious. If your pup can count on your response, you’ll build trust instead of causing confusion.

When your puppy behaves well, offer immediate praise, a pat and a treat. If she goofs up, you can either ignore the behavior (by withdrawing the attention all puppies crave) or redirect it. For example, if your pup is playing with one of your shoes, say “no,” replace the shoe with a toy, then praise the good behavior.

Step by step, your puppy will grow into a pooch you can be proud of.