Puppy Training Guide: How and When To Start

Puppies are constantly learning, whether it’s from their environment, from socializing with people or other animals, or from direct training. 

This creates a critical foundation that will set the stage for their adulthood. Providing puppies with the appropriate socialization and basic puppy training allows them to grow into confident adult dogs. 

Follow this step-by-step puppy training guide to set you and your puppy up for success! 

When To Start Training a Puppy

Training a puppy starts as soon as you bring them home, which is typically about 8 weeks of age. Even at this young age, they can learn basic puppy training cues such as sit, stay, and come. 

While training should continue throughout your dog’s life, the best learning and retention occurs in puppies from 6 to 16 weeks old. 

Puppy Training Tips

Here are some basic puppy training tips to get you started. 

1. Use Positive Reinforcement 

There are many methods of training your puppy that you might have heard about or even seen in person with a dog trainer. However, there is only one acceptable and scientifically backed method of training, and that’s the use of positive reinforcement. 

Positive reinforcement is the process of giving a reward to encourage a behavior you want. The use of punishment—including harsh corrections; correcting devices such as shock, choke, and prong collars; and dominance-based handling techniques—should be avoided. These methods can produce long-term consequences that result in fear and anxiety for your dog as an adult. 

To apply positive reinforcement to your puppy training, first find out which rewards work best for your puppy. Some puppies might find something as simple as a piece of their kibble exciting enough to train with, while others might need something tastier, like a special training treat. 

Then there are the puppies that are not motivated by food at all! For those puppies, try giving them a toy they enjoy that they can play with when they do a good job.  

Praise is also a way to positively reinforce a puppy’s behavior. Petting or showing excitement and saying “Good job!” may be all you need for basic puppy training. 

2. Keep Training Sessions Short 

Puppies have short attention spans. When training a basic cue, keep the sessions short—about five minutes each—and try to average a total of no more than 15 minutes per day. End your session on a positive note so they’re excited for the next session. 

3. Use Consistency When Training Your Puppy 

It’s important to be consistent in your approach to cues and training. Use the same word or hand signals when you teach your puppy basic cues such as sit, stay, and come. 

It’s also important to consistently reinforce desired behaviors, even when it’s not convenient. So if you’re potty training your puppy and they’re at the door needing to go outside, stop what you are doing, let them out, and reward them afterward. 

4. Practice in Different Environments  

Taking a puppy to a new environment such as a park or the beach and asking for a cue is vastly different than training at your house. That’s because of the new sights and smells they’ll encounter, which aren’t present at home. 

Make attempts to practice in different settings. This will set your dog up to be confident, no matter their situation. 

But keep in mind that puppies should not go to areas where there are a lot of other dogs until they have finished their puppy vaccinations. You can always talk to your veterinarian about safe ways to socialize and train your young puppy. 

5. Be Patient 

Puppies are growing and learning, just like young children. They will make mistakes and may not always understand what you are asking. 

All puppies learn at different speeds, so stick with it and don’t get frustrated. Maintaining a consistent routine with feeding, potty breaks, naps, and playtime will make your puppy feel secure—and a secure puppy is ready and able to learn! 

How to Train a Puppy

Potty Training 

You can usually begin potty training dogs around ages 8 to 12 weeks. This process typically takes anywhere from a week to a month, and pet parents must guide the process because dogs cannot potty train themselves.  

To potty train a puppy, take them outside on a leash once a day for 30 minutes and quietly stand still in one spot for five minutes. This minimizes distractions and encourages them to go. When they do, make sure to praise them and offer them a treat!  

Crate Training  

Crate training is crucial for your puppy. It’s a safe space for them, aids in potty training, and can even help ease separation anxiety. The first step is to find the right crate size and to create a welcoming atmosphere.  

Next, choose an ideal location—somewhere quiet but not too isolated like a living room corner. From here, you can introduce the crate and let them sniff around inside.  

Practice closing the door and, in subsequent door-closing sessions, step away briefly. Watch your puppy to make sure they always feel comfortable, and be sure to let them out of the crate if you see any signs of stress. Gradually work up to longer stays.  

Basic Cues (Sit, Stay, Come)  

It’s fun to have your pup listen and respond to simple training cues like sit, stay, and come, but obedience training is also essential for their safety.  

Each command requires a slightly different approach, but we recommend using positive reinforcement for each to help nurture a trusting relationship. This entails saying the cue and rewarding your puppy for responding accordingly.  

Leash Training  

A leash is you and your pup's best assistant; it affords you both lots of freedom to explore, exercise, and enjoy the sunshine. A pup that's leash trained won't pull or try to dart away, which makes time outside way less stressful. 

To leash train a puppy, start inside in a small, quiet room. Show your pup the leash and attach it to their harness so they can get a feel for it in a familiar area.  

Walk around the space, taking tiny steps and stopping and starting to encourage your pup to stay by your side. Give your puppy treats any time they stay in step with you or stop when you stop.  

Keep practicing, eventually moving outdoors to a small space to repeat the same process. With time, you’ll be able to hit the pavement together!  

Socialization  

Socializing a puppy with other animals and humans is the best way to raise a confident, happy, and well-adjusted dog. You can start socialization at any time  once they’re weaned, and the earlier in their puppyhood the better.  

After puppy proofing your home, let them explore while you supervise. You can also get them used to your touch by rubbing their belly, petting them, trimming their nails, brushing their teeth, and stroking their tail.  

Once your puppy is acclimated at home you can start going on quick outings—about 10 to 15 minutes. Treat their fears gently, and make sure to encourage good behavior with tasty treats. Over time, you can also introduce them to different objects, people, children, other dogs and other animal species, and environments with new sights, sounds, smells, and surfaces. 

As your puppy grows, continue practicing their training to solidify and strengthen their skills in more public and distracting settings that you want an adult dog to tolerate, such as:  

• Dog parks 

• Beaches 

• Walking past a group of people 

• Hiking on a trail 

• Riding in an elevator 

• Car rides