Bringing home a puppy? Get ready for an adventure filled with zoomies, cuddles, and, yes—plenty of training! While your pup won’t be mastering advanced calculus anytime soon, they are learning from the moment they step paw into your home.
Training isn’t just about fancy tricks like “sit” and “stay”—it’s about setting your pup up for success in the big, exciting human world. Early training helps prevent bad habits, builds confidence, and strengthens the bond between you and your furry bestie.
So, where do you start? Right here, with these five essential training tips!
1. Socialisation is Everything! 🌎🐕
The world is a big, fascinating place, and your pup needs to explore it! Between 3 to 16 weeks old is their prime time for socialization, so now’s your chance to introduce them to all kinds of people, places, and experiences.
🎾 How to Help Your Puppy Make Friends with the World:
✔️ Let them meet all sorts of humans—kids, adults, people in hats, sunglasses, or even costumes!
✔️ Expose them to different surfaces like grass, pavement, sand, and stairs.
✔️ Take them on fun little field trips—to pet-friendly stores, the park, or even just the car for a quick ride.
✔️ Make all new experiences fun! Reward with treats and praise so your pup learns that new = awesome.
2. House Training & Crate Training 🚽🐾
Potty accidents happen, but with a little patience (and maybe some extra paper towels), you can get your pup on track fast.
🐾 House Training Hacks:
✔️ Take your pup outside frequently—especially after meals, naps, and playtime.
✔️ Always use the same potty spot and throw a mini celebration when they go (treats + happy voice = success).
✔️ Keep an eye on them inside—baby gates can help prevent sneaky accidents.
Crate training is another game-changer. A crate gives your puppy a safe, cozy spot and helps with potty training. Just make sure it’s a happy place filled with treats and toys—never a punishment zone!
3. Teach Basic Cues (a.k.a. Puppy Manners 101) 🎓🐕
Teaching your pup basic cues isn’t just about impressing your friends—it’s about communication, confidence, and safety. Start with these easy but essential ones:
🐶 Must-Know Cues:
✔️ Sit – Helps with impulse control and manners.
✔️ Come – Super important for safety (especially at the dog park!).
✔️ Down – Encourages calm behavior instead of excited jumping.
✔️ Leave it – Saves your pup from eating something gross (or dangerous).
🎉 Pro Tip: Keep training fun! Use treats, praise, and play to reward good behavior. No punishments—just set your pup up for success!
4. Stop the Bite! 🦈🐶
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which means your hands, ankles, and favorite socks are all fair game (or so they think). The good news? You can teach them that human skin is not a chew toy!
🐾 How to Curb the Nipping Habit:
✔️ Swap your hand for a toy when they start nibbling.
✔️ Reward calm behavior with treats and gentle praise.
✔️ Keep plenty of fun chew toys around—they need something to chomp on!
5. Master the Art of Leash Walking 🦮🚶♂️
Leash training can feel like a battle of wills, but trust me—starting early makes a huge difference.
🐶 Leash Training Made Easy:
✔️ Begin with short practice sessions indoors before heading outside.
✔️ Reward them for checking in with you instead of pulling ahead.
✔️ Use treats to encourage walking nicely by your side.
✔️ Never yank or scold—just redirect and reward good behavior.
Soon enough, your pup will be strutting like a leash pro! 🌟
Final Thoughts
Training your puppy isn’t about being perfect—it’s about building a happy, trusting relationship while setting them up for success. Keep it fun, be patient, and celebrate the small wins. Before you know it, your pup will be the well-mannered superstar you always dreamed of!
Now grab some treats and go have fun training your furry sidekick! 🐾✨
