Pug Training: Simple Things That Actually Work
Bhoomi Kagra | Nov 25, 2025, 09:00 IST
Cute, Adorable and Beloved Pet Pug
( Image credit : Pixabay )
In this article we talk about pugs and training, we covered tips like starting early, positive reinforcement, setting discipline, setting a schedule, being consistent and patient with keeping training lessons short. We also cover important things to remember like the time of the day to train them and avoiding over exercising and under exercising due to their different anatomy.
Pugs, our friends, companions, kids or simply pets, are so beloved to us and at one point we all want them to learn, behave and know things. Living with these creatures, we want them to know what we mean and want them to do, just like we try to know them, their needs and try to interact, apart from the different languages we speak. First time training your pet can be stressful, overwhelming and a little bit tiring but if done with patience and consistency it can be rewarding and fun for both the pet parent and the dog. Well, here are some training tips for pug dogs that actually work:
In the early stages of a dog’s life its very important to make them socialize with new people, other dogs and make them explore new places and things as it makes them confident and teaches them to be adaptable in life ahead.
This is the most effective way to train your pug dog, find what is the most rewarding thing to your dog, it may be a treat, playing with a toy or simple praises like belly rubs or caressing. Train them with that reward as a treat after they complete a task or behave good, it channelizes them into associating good behaviour with reward and can encourage them to actively participate in training.
Establish clear boundaries and rules for your dog. If your pug jumps on a furniture you won’t allow it to, do not punish the dog, do not yell or hit it but firmly say “no” with a hand gesture or clap, this would make the dog attentive towards their behaviour and then guide it towards the place or spot you want it to be on, this will teach them what is off limits.
This is the most basic training for your pug as regulating time for eating, sleeping and going for potty is crucial in setting a base line for other training. Give them food at a regular time everyday, try taking them walk on a fixed time each day and potty train them outside the house or at a fixed spot you want by giving them reward or caressing them afterwards the call.
Dogs have an average IQ equivalent to approx. a 2 year old human child, always remember this. A little patience can go a long way along with consistency. Consistent learning sessions each day are really helpful in training, especially with stubborn and independent breeds like pug. Give them plenty of time to learn each day without rushing.
A short session of 5 to 10 minutes, two or three times a day is the best way to train your pug as they have short attention span and can get tired easily. This way they learn, remember and recall the training without being stressed or confused.
Pugs are sensitive, flat faced dogs with high susceptibility to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Their anatomy makes them prone to have breathing difficulty, overheating and trouble panting (cooling down). So, always remember a few things:
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1) Start Early:
Pug Puppy's First Adventures
( Image credit : Pixabay )
In the early stages of a dog’s life its very important to make them socialize with new people, other dogs and make them explore new places and things as it makes them confident and teaches them to be adaptable in life ahead.
2) Positive Reinforcement:
Motivation in Every Bite
( Image credit : Pixabay )
This is the most effective way to train your pug dog, find what is the most rewarding thing to your dog, it may be a treat, playing with a toy or simple praises like belly rubs or caressing. Train them with that reward as a treat after they complete a task or behave good, it channelizes them into associating good behaviour with reward and can encourage them to actively participate in training.
3) Set Discipline:
Guiding Your Pug Gently
( Image credit : Pexels )
Establish clear boundaries and rules for your dog. If your pug jumps on a furniture you won’t allow it to, do not punish the dog, do not yell or hit it but firmly say “no” with a hand gesture or clap, this would make the dog attentive towards their behaviour and then guide it towards the place or spot you want it to be on, this will teach them what is off limits.
4) Set A Schedule:
The Power of Pug Timing
( Image credit : Freepik )
This is the most basic training for your pug as regulating time for eating, sleeping and going for potty is crucial in setting a base line for other training. Give them food at a regular time everyday, try taking them walk on a fixed time each day and potty train them outside the house or at a fixed spot you want by giving them reward or caressing them afterwards the call.
5) Be Patient And Consistent:
The Power of Daily Consistency
( Image credit : Pexels )
Dogs have an average IQ equivalent to approx. a 2 year old human child, always remember this. A little patience can go a long way along with consistency. Consistent learning sessions each day are really helpful in training, especially with stubborn and independent breeds like pug. Give them plenty of time to learn each day without rushing.
6) Short Training Lessons:
Pug Focus: Short & Sweet
( Image credit : Pixabay )
A short session of 5 to 10 minutes, two or three times a day is the best way to train your pug as they have short attention span and can get tired easily. This way they learn, remember and recall the training without being stressed or confused.
Pugs are sensitive, flat faced dogs with high susceptibility to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Their anatomy makes them prone to have breathing difficulty, overheating and trouble panting (cooling down). So, always remember a few things:
- Always trained them during the cool hours of the day like evening or at dawn. Hot and humid time of the day like afternoon or late morning should be avoided as they can overheat quickly.
- Don't over exercise them. Pugs are also prone to joint conditions, over exercising can lead to joint injury or permanent mobility issues and it also puts excess strain on their heart and lungs which is not good for their heart.
- Don't under exercise them. Obesity is common in pugs and one of the main reason is not making them exercise, so make them exercise while training as extra weight can cause breathing more difficult and also puts extra stress on their joints which is not good for their overall health.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What is the 10-10-10 rule for puppy training?The 10 10 10 is a potty training method for puppies that involves taking your dog out for 10 minutes on a potty break within a designated 10 foot potty area, where you want them to poop rather than wandering aimlessly and observing for 10 minutes, if they don’t relieve themselves within that time, take them inside. Repeat the process, when you feel that they have to go.
- What is the 3 day potty training trick?The 3 day potty training trick is an intensive method of establishing house breaking habits within 3 days, 72 hours time. It uses a routine of frequent potty breaks to a designated spot with close supervision of their natural poop cycle and positive reinforcement of treat or a praise after successful elimination at the right spot.
- What tricks can you teach a pug?You can teach a variety of tricks to your pug dog, from basic commands like sit, stay, lie down and calling to a bit fun tricks like shake, roll over, spin, play dead and fetch, etc.
- Are pugs difficult to train?Pugs are intelligent dogs with an eagerness to please but they have a stubborn steak and a short attention span. So patience and consistency is the key. They also are very food motivated, so positive reinforcement with treats as a reward is an effective and fun method to train them.