Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience filled with joy, but it also comes with a significant responsibility. Training a puppy starts as soon as you bring them home, typically around 8 weeks of age. At this young stage, your puppy is eager to learn and can be introduced to basic cues such as sit, stay, and come. The key to successful puppy training is patience, consistency, and the use of positive reinforcement. In this blog, we’ll explore the essential steps for training your new puppy, covering everything from housebreaking to socialization and basic obedience.

7 to 8 Weeks Old: Introducing Basic Commands

At 7-8 weeks, your puppy is ready to start learning basic cues like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These are the foundational commands every dog needs to know, and it’s essential to teach them in a calm, positive environment.

Basic Commands Training:

1. Sit: Hold a treat near your puppy’s nose, then move it up and over their head. As their head tilts up, their bottom will naturally lower. As soon as they sit, say “sit” and reward them with the treat.
2. Stay: After your puppy sits, show your palm and say “stay.” Wait a second or two, and then give them a treat if they don’t move. Gradually increase the time before rewarding.
3. Come: Say “come” in a happy voice while gently pulling the leash or showing a treat. Praise and reward them when they come toward you.

Leash Training:
Leash training should start indoors. Let your puppy wear a collar or harness for short periods and reward them for calm behavior. Practice walking around your home before moving to the backyard or other safe areas. Be mindful not to expose your puppy to places with unvaccinated dogs until they have completed their vaccinations.

Handling Practice: Introduce your puppy to being touched and handled. Gently stroke their paws, ears, and body while giving treats. This helps your puppy get used to being handled for grooming, vet visits, and everyday interactions.

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8 to 10 Weeks Old: Crate and Potty Training

This stage is perfect for starting crate training and establishing a potty routine, two key components of early puppy development.

Crate Training: Crate training helps your puppy view the crate as a safe, calm space. Begin by encouraging your puppy to go into the crate for short periods, 10 minutes at a time, using treats and praise. Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate while ensuring they are calm and relaxed. You can also feed your puppy in the crate to reinforce its positive association.

Potty Training: Take your puppy outside regularly—first thing in the morning, after meals, and after play or naps. When they go to the bathroom outside, reward them immediately with a treat and praise. It’s essential to keep a consistent schedule to avoid accidents indoors. If accidents happen, calmly clean up without punishment, as puppies are still learning.

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10 to 12 Weeks Old: Bite Inhibition and Socialization

At 10 to 12 weeks, puppies start exploring the world through their mouths. Teaching bite inhibition is crucial during this stage to prevent unwanted nipping or biting as they grow.

Bite Inhibition: Puppies will naturally bite and chew as they explore their environment, but it’s important to guide this behavior appropriately. When your puppy bites your hands or ankles, gently redirect their attention to a chew toy. Praise and reward them for chewing on the toy instead of your hands.

Early Socialization: While your puppy may not yet be fully vaccinated, you can begin to socialize them in controlled environments. Expose your puppy to different sights, sounds, and people in a calm and positive way. Socializing early helps prevent fear-based behaviors later in life.

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12 to 16 Weeks Old: Solidifying Commands and Adding New Skills

Around 12 to 16 weeks, your puppy is ready to reinforce the basics and start learning more complex skills. This is also a critical time for leash training in public areas.

Advanced Command Training: Continue to practice and reinforce basic commands like sit, stay, and come in various environments. Gradually increase the level of distractions while ensuring your puppy maintains focus. At this stage, you can introduce new commands like “down,” “leave it,” and “drop.”

Leash Training Outdoors: Now that your puppy is vaccinated, you can begin leash training in public areas. Start with short walks around quiet neighborhoods, gradually introducing them to busier settings like parks. Practice walking on a loose leash, rewarding your puppy for staying by your side without pulling.

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16 to 20 Weeks Old: Practicing in Public and Reinforcing Good Behavior

At 4 to 5 months old, puppies are more confident and curious about the world. This is an excellent time to solidify good behaviors and practice them in public spaces.

Practice in Different Settings: Your puppy should now be comfortable walking on a leash in various environments. Take them to new places such as parks, beaches, and outdoor cafes. Continue to reinforce commands in these settings to ensure they respond even in the presence of distractions.

Addressing Problem Behaviors: At this stage, puppies may start testing boundaries. Be patient and continue to address problem behaviors like jumping, barking, or chewing. Redirect unwanted behavior to acceptable outlets (like toys) and reinforce good manners.

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6 Months and Beyond: Strengthening Skills and Socializing with Other Dogs

By 6 months, your puppy is entering adolescence, a stage that can be more challenging for training. However, it’s essential to continue reinforcing everything they’ve learned so far.

Strengthening Basic Skills: Keep practicing commands and leash walking to ensure your puppy remains responsive in all situations. Take them to busier environments where there are more distractions and gradually increase the difficulty of training exercises.

Socialization with Other Dogs: Now that your puppy is fully vaccinated, you can safely introduce them to dog parks, daycare, and other dogs in controlled environments. Encourage positive interactions with other well-behaved dogs, which will help your puppy learn proper social behavior.

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Final Training Schedule Notes: Each week and month should focus on continued socialization, introducing your puppy to new people, other dogs, different environments, and various sounds. Gradually adjust their potty schedule as they grow and are able to hold it longer, increasing the time between bathroom breaks.

Throughout the first year, you'll be working on basic obedience training, reinforcing good behavior at home, and maintaining a consistent routine. By staying consistent with this approach, you'll help your puppy retain their training and develop positive habits that will last a lifetime.

References:

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-start-training-puppy , https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-training/basic/how-to-train-a-puppy , https://www.thepuppyacademy.com/blog/2020/8/24/complete-puppy-training-schedule-by-age