When Do I Start Puppy Training?

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting and heartwarming experience. Those big eyes, playful antics, and wagging tail can melt anyone’s heart! But along with all that cuteness comes an important question: When should I start training my puppy?

The short answer? Right away!

Many people believe that puppies are too young to learn, but the truth is, they are like little sponges from the moment they arrive home. Let’s break down the best timeline for puppy training and what you should focus on at each stage.

Week 8-12: The Foundation Stage

Most puppies go to their new homes around 8 weeks old, and this is the perfect time to begin gentle training. At this stage, focus on:

✅ Name Recognition – Teach your puppy their name by saying it in a happy tone and rewarding them when they look at you.

✅ Toilet Training – Set a routine for potty breaks and praise them for going in the right spot.

✅ Socialization – Introduce them to different sights, sounds, and experiences in a positive way. Meeting new people, seeing different environments, and hearing household noises will build their confidence.

✅ Basic Commands – Simple cues like "sit," "come," and "down" can be introduced using treats and positive reinforcement.

✅ Bite Inhibition – Puppies explore the world with their mouths, so teaching them to be gentle (by redirecting to toys and stopping play if they bite too hard) is crucial.

Week 12-16: Building Good Habits

By now, your puppy is settling in, and you can start expanding their training:

🐶 Loose Leash Walking – Start leash training in a quiet area, rewarding them for walking nicely beside you.

🐶 Continued Socialisation – Arrange safe meet-ups with vaccinated, well-behaved dogs and expose them to new experiences.

🐶 Impulse Control – Teach patience with exercises like "wait" before eating or "leave it" when they want to grab something off the ground.

🐶 Crate Training – If you haven’t already, now is a great time to make the crate a safe and comfortable space for rest.

4-6 Months: Reinforcing and Expanding Training

By now, your pup is growing fast and becoming more adventurous. This is the stage where puppies can start testing boundaries, so consistency is key.

✨ More Advanced Commands – Work on "stay," "heel," and "place" to help with impulse control.

✨ Longer Training Sessions – Puppies can focus for longer, so you can start increasing training duration and distractions.

✨ Preventing Unwanted Behaviours – If you notice jumping, nipping, or excessive barking, redirect and reinforce calm behaviour.

✨ Confidence-Building Exercises – Agility foundations, exploring different surfaces, and problem-solving games keep your pup engaged and mentally stimulated.

6+ Months: Ongoing Training & Adolescence Challenges

Just like human teenagers, puppies go through a rebellious phase where they may ignore commands they previously knew. Stay patient and consistent!

🐾 Practice in Different Environments – Train in new places with more distractions to strengthen their skills.

🐾 Addressing Teenage Behaviour – Continue reinforcing training, rewarding good choices, and using management tools like leashes and baby gates to prevent bad habits.

🐾 Advanced Training or Classes – Consider group training classes or fun activities like scent work, agility, or trick training to keep your pup engaged.

Final Thoughts: Training is a Lifelong Journey

While early training is crucial, learning never really stops! Dogs thrive on mental stimulation, structure, and clear communication. By starting training as soon as you bring your puppy home and continuing throughout their life, you'll set them up for success as a well-mannered and happy companion.

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