Training a Pug puppy: reward-based tips and safe exercise for a flat-faced breed

Pug puppies are usually sociable, playful and keen on food, which makes them very trainable with the right approach. The main difference from training many other breeds is their flat face. Training and exercise need to be planned so your Pug can breathe comfortably and stay cool.

Start with reward-based training

Dogs learn best when good behaviour earns them something they want, such as a small treat, a toy or praise. This is called reward-based or positive reinforcement training. It builds trust and makes your puppy keen to learn.

The basics:

• Reward the behaviour you want, straight away. If your puppy sits, reward them within a second or two, so they link the reward to the action.
• Make it easy to get right. Set your puppy up to succeed, and reward small steps towards the final behaviour.
• Ignore or redirect unwanted behaviour. If your puppy jumps up, turn away calmly and reward them as soon as all four paws are on the floor. If they chew something they shouldn't, swap it for a toy.
• Never punish. Shouting, smacking or telling a puppy off can make them fearful and confused, and can damage your relationship.
• Be consistent. Everyone in the home should use the same words and rules.

Keep sessions short

Puppies have short attention spans. A few minutes of training several times a day works better than one long session. Stop while your puppy is still enjoying it, and end with something they can do well.

For a Pug, short sessions have another benefit: they avoid getting your puppy overexcited and out of breath. Calm, low-energy games, such as sit, down, settle on a mat, coming when called across a room, and gentle scent games, suit them well.

Toilet training

Take your puppy outside to the same spot often, especially when they wake up, after play, and after eating or drinking. Stay with them, and reward them quietly as soon as they go. If there is an accident indoors, clean it up without fuss. Telling a puppy off for accidents can teach them to hide when they need to go.

Socialisation

Gently introduce your puppy to the sights, sounds, people and other animals they will meet in everyday life. Let them watch from a distance, reward calm behaviour, and let them retreat if they feel worried. Your vet will advise on when your puppy can safely go out and meet other dogs after their vaccinations.

Breathing and heat: training safely with a flat-faced dog

Pugs are brachycephalic, meaning they have a short, flat face. This can leave less room in the nose and throat, so many Pugs find it harder to breathe, especially during exercise, excitement or warm weather. Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, and a flat face makes that less effective, so Pugs can overheat quickly.

To keep your Pug safe:

• Keep play and walks gentle, and let your Pug set the pace.
• In warm weather, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, keep walks short, or skip them altogether. Play quiet games indoors instead.
• Always have water and shade available.
• Never leave your Pug in a car or a hot room.
• Stop and let your Pug rest if they pant heavily, slow down, lag behind or make loud breathing noises.

Noisy breathing, snoring while awake, or struggling with short walks are not normal, even in a Pug. Ask your vet to check your dog.

Contact a vet straight away if your Pug is struggling to breathe, has blue, grey or very red gums, collapses, or shows signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting, drooling, confusion, vomiting or weakness. With heatstroke, move your dog somewhere cool, start cooling them with cool (not ice-cold) water, and call your vet at once.

Use a harness, not a collar

Pressure from a collar on the throat can make breathing harder for a flat-faced dog. Walk your Pug on a well-fitting harness that sits on the chest and doesn't press on the neck. A collar with an ID tag can still be worn for identification.

Get your puppy used to the harness gradually. Let them sniff it, reward them, then put it on for a few seconds at a time, building up slowly. Teaching your puppy to walk on a loose lead, by rewarding them when they are by your side, also stops them pulling against the harness.

Treats and weight

Pugs love food, which is helpful for training but makes weight gain easy. Extra weight puts more strain on breathing and joints.

• Use very small treats, or take part of your Pug's daily food allowance and use it as rewards.
• Reduce meal sizes on days when you use a lot of treats.
• Praise and play can be rewards too.
• Check your Pug's body shape regularly. You should be able to feel their ribs easily and see a waist.

Ask your vet to weigh your Pug at check-ups and to advise if they need to lose weight.