Puppy 101
- abigailkocsis
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
Essential Training Tips for New Dog Owners
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. The first few months of training are crucial for shaping your puppy into a well-behaved and confident adult dog. In this guide, we’ll cover essential training tips for first-time puppy owners, including crate training, potty training, and basic obedience commands.
Crate Training: Create a Safe Space
Crate training is an invaluable tool for house training and providing your puppy with a secure, comfortable space of their own. When introduced correctly, a crate can become your puppy’s safe haven, helping to prevent destructive behaviours and reduce anxiety.
Tips for Successful Crate Training:
✔ Choose the Right Crate: It should be big enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably but not so large that they can use one corner as a bathroom.
✔ Make It Cozy: Add a soft bed or blanket and a few toys to make the crate inviting.
✔ Introduce Gradually: Start by letting your puppy explore the crate with the door open, placing treats or toys inside to encourage positive associations.
✔ Use Positive Reinforcement: Feed your puppy their meals inside the crate and reward calm behaviour with treats and praise.
✔ Limit Crate Time: Puppies shouldn't be crated for long hours. Follow the general rule: one hour of crate time per month of age (up to four hours at a time).
Important: Never use the crate as a punishment! It should be a positive place your puppy enjoys.
Potty Training: Establishing Good Habits Early
House training is one of the first challenges new puppy owners face. Puppies have small bladders and need frequent potty breaks, so consistency and patience are key.
Potty Training Steps:
✔ Follow a Schedule: Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, naps, and playtime, and right before bedtime.
✔ Use a Designated Spot: Bring your puppy to the same potty spot each time to create a routine.
✔ Reward Success: Praise and treat your puppy immediately after they go potty outside.
✔ Supervise Indoors: Keep a close eye on your puppy, and if you catch them sniffing or circling, take them outside immediately.
✔ Accidents Happen: If you catch your puppy in the act, calmly interrupt and take them outside. Never punish them for accidents—simply clean up with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odours.
Tip: Puppies typically need to go potty every 1-2 hours. A good rule of thumb is that they can hold their bladder for about one hour per month of age.
Teaching Basic Commands: Building a Foundation for Obedience
Teaching your puppy basic commands early on will help set the stage for good behaviour. Focus on simple commands that promote obedience and impulse control.
3 Essential Commands to Start With:
1. "Sit"
✔ Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose and slowly move it upward.
✔ As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower.
✔ The moment they sit, say “Sit,” and give them the treat.
✔ Repeat several times, adding the verbal cue before the treat.
2. "Stay"
✔ Ask your puppy to sit.
✔ Hold your palm up in a “stop” signal and say “Stay.”
✔ Take a step back—if your puppy remains in place, reward and praise them.
✔ Gradually increase the distance and duration.
3. "Come"
✔ Start in a quiet space.
✔ Crouch down, say “Come,” and encourage your puppy with an excited voice.
✔ When they reach you, reward them with treats and affection.
✔ Practice in different environments to build reliability.
Training Tip: Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and fun! End on a positive note so your puppy stays eager to learn.
Socialization: Introducing Your Puppy to the World
Socialization is essential for helping your puppy grow into a confident and well-adjusted dog. Exposing them to different people, animals, and environments positively prevents fear and reactivity later in life.
Socialization Checklist:
✔ Meet new people (different ages, genders, and appearances).
✔ Introduce friendly, vaccinated dogs.
✔ Expose to different sounds (doorbells, vacuum cleaners, cars, etc.).
✔ Visit new environments (parks, sidewalks, pet-friendly stores).
✔ Allow your puppy to walk on different surfaces (grass, wood, pavement).
Golden Rule: Make every new experience positive by offering treats, praise, and encouragement.
Handling Puppy Biting and Teething
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which means biting and chewing are normal behaviours. However, it’s important to teach them what’s acceptable.
How to Manage Puppy Biting:
✔ Redirect: Offer a chew toy instead of your hands or clothes.
✔ Use a Firm “Ouch”: If your puppy bites too hard, say “Ouch!” in a high-pitched voice and stop playing.
✔ Reward Gentle Play: Praise and treat your puppy when they interact gently.
✔ Avoid Rough Play: Tug-of-war and wrestling can encourage biting.
Teething Tip: Frozen carrots, ice cubes, and puppy-safe chew toys help soothe sore gums.
Setting a Routine for Success
A structured routine helps puppies feel secure and learn what to expect. Your daily schedule should include:
✔ Feeding times (same time each day)
✔ Potty breaks (every 1-2 hours)✔ Training sessions (5-10 minutes, 2-3 times a day)
✔ Playtime and exercise (daily walks and interactive play)
✔ Nap time (puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep daily!)
Tip: A consistent schedule speeds up potty training and reduces anxiety.
Common Training Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Being Inconsistent – Use the same commands and rules every time.
🚫 Skipping Socialization – Puppies who aren’t socialized may become fearful or reactive.
🚫 Using Punishment-Based Methods – Positive reinforcement (treats, praise) is more effective than punishment.
🚫 Expecting Too Much Too Soon – Training takes time! Be patient and celebrate small wins.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey!
Training a puppy takes time, patience, and consistency, but the effort you put in now will pay off for years to come. Keep sessions short and positive, and always use rewards to reinforce good behaviour.
With love, training, and socialization, your puppy will grow into a well-mannered and confident companion. Enjoy the journey—puppyhood goes by fast!
The Dog House offers puppy training classes and socials, one-on-one training, virtual training, and an online puppy training course! Visit thedoghousemtl.com to work with us! You can also follow us on Instagram @thedoghousemtl for tips and training tricks!
To participate in our online puppy training course visit the link below!
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