Puppy Training is easier the earlier you start
“Puppies, like human babies, have a lot to learn in their early months. Especially when it comes to adapting to their environment and developing good manners. To help their learning, create a safe and nurturing environment.”
Early Months - (Up to 16 weeks)
Creating a Safe and loving environment to build your bond.
During the early months, puppies are like human babies, needing a safe and nurturing environment.
The focus is on building a strong bond and establishing a strong sense of security.
This phase involves creating a space where the puppy feels safe around you, ensuring emotional well-being.
Building a strong bond while providing structure is crucial to gaining the dog’s trust and respect.
Growth Stage - (8-16 weeks)
During the growth stage, expose your puppies to their surroundings.
This will help them understand the world better.
Familiarize them with various sights and sounds. Take them to places with lots of people, of all ages, and other dogs. The goal is to show them that the world is a safe and enjoyable place, full of new smells and sounds.
Impulse control is another essential aspect of training during this stage. Teaching puppies to sit on command helps them learn self-control. Start early and use positive reinforcement techniques to establish good habits.
Puppy Stage - (up to 6 months)
In the puppy stage, we can add some extra training goals:
polite play
housetraining
being comfortable alone
recall (coming when called)
reinforcing impulse control
Bye Age One
By age one, dogs should have mastered these basic behaviors:
sitting
staying
coming when called
walking on a leash
dropping objects when instructed
Training dogs beyond the puppy stage is possible. But it is worth overstating how the first few months are crucial for building trust.
Early training lays the groundwork for a well-behaved and happy dog.
Phase 1: Early Months - Creating a Safe Environment and Building Bond
(Up to 16 weeks) During the early months, puppies are like human babies, needing a safe and nurturing environment. The focus is on building a strong bond and establishing a sense of security. This phase involves creating a space where the puppy feels safe around you, ensuring emotional well-being.
Key aspects of this phase:
Creating a safe environment where the puppy feels secure.
Building a strong bond through trust and nurturing.
Providing structure to establish routines and boundaries.
Phase 2: Growth Stage - Socialization and Basic Training
(16 weeks to 6 months) During the growth stage, puppies are curious and eager to explore their surroundings. This phase emphasizes socialization and impulse control. It's about introducing the puppy to the world, teaching appropriate behavior, and developing good manners.
Key aspects of this phase:
Socializing the puppy by exposing them to different environments, people, and animals.
Teaching impulse control through basic commands like sit and wait.
Addressing housetraining, polite play, being comfortable alone, recall, and reinforcing impulse control.
Phase 3: Puppy Stage - Refining Skills and Mastery
(6 months to 1 year) In the puppy stage, the focus shifts to refining and solidifying the skills learned in the previous phases. The puppy should continue to develop good manners, respond to commands reliably, and become a well-behaved member of the family.
Key aspects of this phase:
Reinforcing and mastering basic behaviors such as sitting, staying, coming when called, and walking on a leash.
Continuing to reinforce impulse control and polite behavior in various situations.
Building on previous training to ensure the puppy becomes a well-mannered dog for life.
Note: While training can continue beyond these phases, the early months are particularly critical for building trust and laying a strong foundation. Starting training early and using positive reinforcement techniques greatly contribute to a dog's overall behavior and well-being.