Every new or soon to be puppy parent asks, “when do you start training a puppy?”
It’s a great question and a really important one!
If you know when to start training a puppy;
- you don’t miss a thing
- you can be proactive
- you’re primed to make maximum impact
- you start off on the right paw
- you’re one step closer to achieving that vision you have of life with your puppy
And that’s what you want, isn’t it?
So, knowing when to start training a puppy is going to help you achieve that.
In this blog post we’ll define when to start training a puppy, share 3 examples of how to start training a puppy, and provide 8 best practices to help you get started training your puppy.
When to start training a puppy
You should start training a puppy right away. As soon as you bring them home.
At the age of 8 weeks old your puppy is;
- learning what works and what doesn’t work
- building an association with everything around them
So whether you’re intentionally or unintentionally training a puppy, they’re learning!
5 reasons to start training a puppy right away
1. It’s so much easier to teach your puppy the behaviour you like from the beginning. Rather than waiting for something to crop up and trying to undo it.
2. Your puppy will settle more easily into their new home. They’ll know what’s what. Life will be predictable and help them to feel safe.
3. It’s more effective. You’ve heard the saying, “practice makes perfect”. This goes for behaviour you like as well as behaviour you don’t.
4. A solid puppy training programme can prevent behaviour challenges in the future. The cost for one consultation with a behaviourist is around £200.
5. Puppy training helps to form a strong bond between you and your puppy. It builds trust and a positive relationship.
In my blog post – The DANGERS of putting off your puppy’s training, I shared a real eye opener. You can read the full blog post here.
The traditional view of puppy training includes simply teaching the basics; a good recall, loose lead walking, a sit and some tricks. And sadly, this view still lingers on.
But, puppy training should encompass so much more!
There’s plenty you need to do before you move onto the basics. Plus, they’ll be so much easier to teach if you follow these steps to success:
Step 1 – set up management
Step 2 – establish a routine
Step 3 – create trust
Step 4 – use puppy motivation to teach behaviours that can be put on cue
And read my full blog post – 6 essential elements to your puppy’s training plan here.
At the age of 8 weeks, your puppy is soaking everything up like a little sponge. So getting started as soon as you bring them home and in the right way is crucial.
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3 examples of how to start training a puppy
Crate training
A crate is a great management tool for puppies. And can be a place they enjoy going to to relax or to have time away from a busy household.
I recommend the MidWest Life Stages metal crate because it comes with a divider.
A crate can also help to speed up toilet training.
You can start teaching your puppy to love their crate from day 1. And if you’re looking for a step-by-step guide, you can watch the video tutorial inside our FREE Puppy Start Right Workshop. Click the image below to get access today!
Toilet training
Toilet training is high on the priority list for new puppy parents. And you can start training your puppy where you’d like them to wee and poop from day 1.
Young puppies have tiny bladders and need toilet breaks around every 30 minutes.
Take your puppy on lead to your designated toileting area after they’ve woken from a nap, have eaten, drank and played.
Let your puppy know they’ve got it right with lots of praise. You can give them a tasty treat if you wish to do so.
If they get it wrong, don’t say a thing. Clean up appropriately with an enzymatic cleaner.
Sleeping at night
The first few nights are going to be difficult for you and your puppy.
It’s likely they’ve never slept alone before.
And puppies don’t sleep well in new places.
Start with my 3 step routine to help your puppy sleep better at night.
Then, place their crate next to your bed or sleep downstairs with your puppy. Over time, gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy.
By supporting your puppy you’re teaching them they can trust you.
8 tips to start training a puppy
1. Keep your puppy’s name precious. Only say their name when they’re going to be engaging in positive experiences. Don’t use your puppy’s name to tell them off.
2. Watch their body language. Learn what they’re communicating to you and other members of the family. Your puppy will clearly say ‘I don’t like this’. Listen to them.
3. Set up management to prevent your puppy from practicing behaviours you don’t like.
4. Have a solid schedule and routine. Share it with the rest of the household.
5. Teach your puppy what they can and can’t bite. Simply stop playing when teeth go onto your clothes or skin. Set your puppy up for success. Grab your free puppy biting checklist here.
6. Be your puppy’s advocate. Give your puppy the choice to interact with other people, animals, dogs and objects. Start exposing your puppy sensitively to the world around them. You can find full guidance here – The ultimate guide to socialising your puppy.
7. Bond with your puppy through play. Get down on all four paws and find out how your puppy likes to play.
8. Engage their natural instincts. Research your puppy’s breed and find ways to give them an outlet for their innate behaviours.
This blog post has answered, “when to start training a puppy”. And challenged the traditional view of training a puppy. You can take away some examples and tips to start training your puppy right away.
I’d LOVE to know if this blog has helped you! Please leave a comment below.
If you’d like to learn more, you can grab your FREE Puppy Start Right Workshop by adding your details below. This workshop is designed for new and soon to be puppy parents and includes over an hour of expert advice!
The workshop is divided into 4 parts and bite-sized lessons so it’s easy to digest and implement what you’ve learned.
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Happy training!
Lindsay xx
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