Puppy Training 101: Start Day One
The basics every new puppy parent needs to know.
You brought home a puppy. Congratulations. Now the real work starts.
Here's the thing. Puppies are like sponges. They absorb everything. Good or bad. That's why what you do in the first few weeks matters so much.
Set Rules From Day One
Decide what you want and don't want. Then enforce it. Every single time.
If you don't want them on the couch, never let them on the couch. Not once. Not even when they're cute. Because once they learn it's okay sometimes, it's harder to fix later.
Potty Training
Take them out every hour. After they eat. After they sleep. After they play. After they wake up.
When they go outside, praise them. Make it a party. Treats. Happy voice. Let them know they did something amazing.
When they have an accident inside, don't punish. Just clean it up. Dogs don't understand punishment after the fact.
Crate Training
Get a crate. Make it comfy. Feed meals in there. Let them hang out in there with the door open.
The crate is not punishment. It's their den. Make it a good place.
Socialization
This is huge. Between 3 and 14 weeks, puppies are most open to new experiences. Expose them to:
- Different people (all ages, sizes, colors)
- Other dogs (healthy, vaccinated ones)
- New places (parks, pet stores, parking lots)
- Sounds (vacuum, traffic, thunder)
Keep it positive. If they seem scared, don't force it.
The Bottom Line
Be consistent. Be patient. Be kind. Puppies are learning every single moment. Make sure what they're learning is what you want.