Proven Puppy Training Tips
1. Start Early with Short Sessions
Begin training your puppy with simple commands like "sit," "come," and "stay" from around eight weeks of age. Keep sessions brief—around five minutes—to suit their limited attention span.
2. Always Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward good behaviour with treats, praise, or toys right away. Positive reinforcement builds trust and helps your puppy learn faster. Avoid punishment, which can cause confusion or fear.
3. Crate and Potty Training Go Hand-in-Hand
Introduce the crate gently by feeding your puppy inside it and allowing them to nap there. Since dogs avoid soiling their sleeping area, crate training can naturally support housetraining.
4. Follow a Consistent Daily Routine
Structure your puppy’s day with regular times for meals, toilet breaks, walks, play, and naps. Routine creates predictability, helping puppies feel safe and ready to learn.
5. Start Socialisation at the Right Time
Expose your puppy to a variety of sounds, people, and environments between 8 to 14 weeks. This social window is crucial for building confidence and reducing future anxiety.
6. Teach Basic Obedience in Different Settings
Practice commands like "stay" and "leave it" in quiet places first, then gradually add distractions such as other people or outdoor environments to build real-world reliability.
7. Use Meals as Training Opportunities
Instead of separate treats, use your puppy’s daily kibble for training. This builds engagement, prevents overfeeding, and reinforces desired behaviours throughout the day.
8. Reinforce Self-Control Early
Encourage calm behaviour by asking for a sit before meals, waiting at doorways, or rewarding your puppy for dropping items on cue. These small habits build good manners.
9. Avoid High-Impact Exercise Too Soon
Young puppies are still growing. Keep activity low-impact with short walks and gentle play to protect their joints and support healthy development.
10. Stay Consistent and Patient
Learning takes time. Stick with your cues, reinforce often, and celebrate small wins. Your calm, consistent approach will help shape a confident, happy companion.
