Training A Puppy: A Complete Guide
Updated: Aug 18, 2021
While training a puppy is exciting and rewarding, it can be challenging. If you've owned a young dog before, you know how much time and energy they require.
This is especially true when teaching them to be obedient and well-behaved!
In this blog, our puppy training experts at CanineJulz will discuss:
How to get started
What to know
Helpful tips and tricks
So your new pup can grow into a happy, healthy member of your family!
Table of Contents:
What to Know Before Training A Puppy
Understanding Puppy Growing Pains
3 Essential Elements of Puppy Training
1. Seek Positive-Reinforcement Training
2. Be Patient. Be Consistent!
3. Practice. Practice. Practice!
The Puppy Training Timeline
8 to 10 Weeks Old: Setting Training Foundations
10 to 12 Weeks Old: Advancing Commands
4 to 6 Months of Age: Introducing Complex Training Routines
6 Months to 1-Year-Old: Mastering Skills
Conclusion
People Also Ask:
How long does training a puppy take?
Potty training a puppy can vary.
Factors that determine housebreaking are:
Age
Learning history
Training methods and consistency
What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
Besides potty training, the first commands you should train your pup are to sit and stay.
We suggest standing in front of your puppy while holding some food or treats.
Once they sit, practice positive encouragements by saying "yes" and give your dog the treat.
What should you not do when training a puppy?
The 7 most common puppy training don'ts include:
Taking your pup home too soon
Not starting basic dog training ASAP
Not crate training
Too much independence too early
Free feeding
Pushing your puppy's face in a potty accident
Scolding your pet after the fact
What to Know Before Training A Puppy
Before you begin any puppy training, focusing on their emotional health is essential. This means you need to make sure you create an environment where your pup feels safe around you.
You can help establish a healthy and happy environment for your puppy by:
Building a relationship
Giving them attention
Creating structure
Remember: Once that loving and trusting bond exists, teaching your pup basic commands and behaviors can be easier.
Understanding Puppy Growing Pains
It's also important to understand that it's normal for young dogs to come with some growing pains in the beginning.
These often include:
Nipping
Biting
Chewing
Potty accidents
Barking
And more.
While your puppy needs time to adjust to its new environment, he or she is also developing and growing quickly. Once they've been home for a few weeks, your pup should know basic commands like stay and sit while also undergoing potty training.
Visit our housebreaking blog post for more information!
3 Essential Elements of Puppy Training
It's time to talk about training! Having a puppy training schedule that includes the following 3 elements can lead to a well-behaved dog and a loyal companion.
1. Seek Positive-Reinforcement Training
When looking to train your puppy, it's vital to find a trainer who has the right skill set and coaching methods. Our founder and professional dog trainer, Julie, uses positive reinforcement training.
This kind of training involves:
Patience
Understanding
Respectful communication
With pets and their owners to achieve successful results. We also use treats and positive verbal praises to encourage confidence and good behavior.
2. Be Patient. Be Consistent!
Training a puppy or puppies can be frustrating. Young dogs are just figuring things out and will make mistakes.
Try to remember that creating a well-behaved pup and establishing communication with them takes time! Maintaining a consistent home and training schedule can help get them on track faster.
We recommend creating a daily schedule that includes:
Play, feeding, and nap times
Potty breaks
Training classes
Your puppy will learn to understand their daily household routine. This will help them feel confident and secure with your family, and stay on a schedule that promotes good behavior.
3. Practice. Practice. Practice!
When it comes to training a puppy, practice does make perfect! As the owner, you can help accomplish this by having regular training sessions part of their schedule.
You can also conduct short training sessions at home.
At CanineJulz, we recommend holding sessions:
During mealtimes to learn to earn their breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Between 5 and 10 minutes for young puppies
10 to15 minutes for older pups
Once they've received all their vaccinations, begin holding short training sessions in different locations. This helps them understand commands and behave correctly where ever you bring your pup!
The Puppy Training Timeline
Our CanineJulz team has outlined a basic timeline for training a puppy, starting at 8 weeks of age. It's important to remember that every young dog learns at his or her own pace.
Be sure to go at your puppy's speed. Don't rush them before they're ready!
8 to 10 Weeks Old: Setting Training Foundations
Most new dog owners bring home their puppy around 8 to 10 weeks of age. This is the stage in their life that they should learn the basics.
These include:
A daily schedule (feeding times, nap times, potty breaks, etc.)
Potty training (as soon as they get home!)
Crate training (while housebreaking)
Basic obedience commands (sit and stay)
Early socialization (with family and other pets first)
Name recognition
Chewing, nipping, and mouthing behaviors
10 to 12 Weeks Old: Advancing Commands
Around 10 to 12 weeks of age is when you can start teaching your puppy more advanced commands and how to handle social situations.
When your pup is around 3 months old, training should include:
Introducing commands like stay, down, and heel
Introducing a harness or leash
Continuing socialization with new people and other dogs
Practicing impulse control
Beginning threshold training (sitting and staying at doors, crosswalks, etc.)
4 to 6 Months of Age: Introducing Complex Training Routines
Your pup is growing quickly, both physically and mentally. By 4 to 6 months of age, you can start introducing more complex training routines.
Your pup should also be ready for public spaces, too!
Helpful tips for training a puppy at this age include:
Advancing commands by practicing them outside
Extending your puppy's walks
Weaning them off of food rewards
6 Months to 1-Year-Old: Mastering Skills
Between 6 months to 1-year-old, training your young dog should include them being fully housebroken. This means that they should understand basic potty training and crate training.
From here on out, continue working with your pet to reinforce what they've already learned!
Our dog training experts recommend:
Continuing to reinforce all commands. Put more distance between you and your dog while practicing commands. Be sure to have them hold each command for longer durations and come to you on command from longer distances.
Maintaining structure at home. Your puppy can be a handful during their adolescence, so you’ll want to stay on top of them. They might start chewing or nipping if they're left alone for too long and are without any rules when it comes to potty time!
Conclusion
Training a puppy can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn't have to be! As long as you set clear expectations, the process can go a lot smoother than you'd think.
Would you rather enroll your pal in professional puppy training?
The CanineJulz team has you covered!
Julie offers several types of dog training classes fully customized to the needs and overall well-being of every dog and puppy. You can learn about our dog training philosophy here!
Contact us to get started today!