Full encouragement
When your Japanese Spitz does what you ask, you must give plenty of encouragement so it understands that you like the behavior. A dog does not naturally know what is correct and what is wrong, so if you want it to act according to your expectations, you must guide it properly. Do not become anxious or use hitting and scolding.
Firm attitude
Dogs tend to follow a strong leader, so the owner must establish authority not only as the food provider and play leader, but also as the behavioral leader. The attitude should be calm, firm, friendly, and gentle if you want the Japanese Spitz to obey.
Steady tone
A dogs reaction depends heavily on the owners attitude. A steady and firm voice when giving commands helps the Japanese Spitz feel secure and respond properly. If you need to warn it, speak loudly enough to set boundaries, because the dog needs to know where the limits are. Do you really know how to train a Japanese Spitz?
Persistent patience
Training success depends not only on the dogs reaction speed but also on repeated practice over time. Patience is essential. Every behavior can become a training opportunity. Some dogs repeat the same mistakes many times, but repeated instruction helps them understand what is forbidden and what is allowed. If repeated teaching still does not produce the desired effect and you feel angry, it is better to pause training and continue another day rather than rush and make things worse.
Consistent rules
Rules must always be the same, or the Japanese Spitz will become confused and unsure. Commands should be reasonable, firm, and clear, and the most important thing is to follow them through. When the dog behaves in a way that does not fit the rules, you must let it know, using different methods if needed. Once rules are established, everyone in the family must follow them consistently. For example, if the dog jumps on you while you are dressed up to go out, you correct it, but if you are relaxing in home clothes and allow the same behavior, the dog will be confused and frustrated. For dogs, rules must be clear, and their world is often black and white.
Immediate reaction
Teaching moments can happen at any time. Whenever you see your puppy doing something you like, such as looking at you, following you, or greeting you politely without jumping, let it know it did well. Reward immediately. Praise increases learning. When the dog makes a mistake, say no right away to interrupt the behavior and correct it immediately. Delayed punishment is useless and only makes the dog confused, distrustful, or afraid. If your response comes too late, the Japanese Spitz will not know what the correction is for.
Verbal correction
You should use a specific word to show disapproval, such as stop, no, or no. The correction should be calm and emotion free. Its purpose is to get the dogs attention. A short sharp sound is best. There is no need to shout, and you should not use the dogs name as the correction word, because the dogs name should always be associated with good things.
Ignoring bad behavior
Puppies often bark to get attention because barking works. One of the best ways to reduce barking is to ignore it. You can leave the room when the dog barks and do not return until it stops. Soon the dog will learn that barking causes you to leave, which can be effective. As mentioned earlier, your attitude must stay consistent and firm. Training a dog to behave properly may use much of your patience, but in the end you will get a well mannered Japanese Spitz. Do not give in or become soft, because that only creates bad habits and unnecessary trouble. In the end, the dog learns that it must control its own behavior to earn rewards from the owner.
Now let us look at some simple daily training.
Name training
The first important thing when a Japanese Spitz enters the home is its name. How do you help it get used to the name it will carry for life? When it is playing happily, eating, or being praised, use a cheerful tone to get its attention and say its name several times. This helps it quickly connect the sound with itself.
Elimination training
After exercise, waking up, or eating, the Japanese Spitz will often wander around and sniff the floor. That is usually the signal that it needs to eliminate. At that moment, take it quickly to the chosen toilet area and praise it after it finishes. After a few repetitions, it will remember where it should relieve itself. Before training is complete, never punish the dog for accidents by hitting it or pressing its nose into the waste. That only creates fear and makes it harder for the dog to obey commands.
Night barking training
When a dog first enters a new environment, it may be unsettled and need two or three days to adapt. It may whine or bark at night. In that case, give it something familiar, such as an item or toy with its own scent, or a clock with regular ticking sounds that resemble a heartbeat. Letting it lie where it can see the owner may also help it feel safer and more relaxed.
Feeding training
Spend the first few days feeding the puppy yourself, because food is one of the strongest ways to build trust. Dogs like a fixed feeding spot, and that habit is worth reinforcing. If the dog likes to carry food out of the bowl to eat on the floor, put newspaper down. If you have more than one dog, keep them separated and give each dog its own bowl to avoid unfairness.
If the Japanese Spitz comes forward and begs while you are eating, you must firmly refuse and not let it develop the habit of begging.