As cute as it may be when a puppy asserts its independence, dog parents desire a well-behaved dog. For this, not only is the right training essential, but the timing should also be chosen wisely. Here, you can learn more about puppy training from the start to provide your dog with the best education.

Crucial for Later: The Socialization Phase in Puppies

When the puppy joins your home at around eight weeks, the so-called socialization phase begins.

This marks the completion of the initial imprinting phase, where the animal learns to perceive and categorize environmental stimuli. The breeder should familiarize the puppies, for example, with the vacuum cleaner, transport box, and car rides.

Your task now is to socialize the puppy, a somewhat passive form of puppy training. The young dog must acclimate to its new human companions and possibly other animals. As dog parents, you should already ensure that the puppy learns its boundaries. Classic examples include jumping on legs and nibbling on clothing. Show the puppy that such behaviors are not allowed.

In this initial phase of socialization, take cues from the dog mother or father. They educate their offspring not with words but by using their bodies. For example, a fixed stare signals disapproval, followed by a gentle snap above the snout if the puppy persists. You can mimic this by briefly but decisively reaching for the puppy’s snout with your hand – of course, without harming the animal.

See this checklist for items you should have in the house when the puppy arrives. During socialization, accustom the dog not only to its new human caregivers but also to the home and surroundings. Additionally, expose the puppy to various surfaces like asphalt, grass, or soil to ease navigation later on.

Leash, Treats, or Clicker – Materials for Puppy Training at Home

After the socialization phase, it’s time to get serious. Various materials can assist in puppy training, with some working better for both you and your dog than others.

We’ll provide a brief overview of these five items to help make your decision easier.

Choosing the Right Leash

There are many options for leashes, collars, and harnesses. A harness provides more control without exerting pressure on the dog’s neck, making it suitable for larger dogs and smaller owners.

Many dog owners have two leashes: a short one for walks and training in the city and a longer leash, known as a training lead, for excursions in nature. This “drag line” gives the dog some freedom while still allowing intervention.

Training with a Clicker

Whether to train with or without treats is a debated topic. You can use a clicker to show the dog when it does something right. The advantage: The signal is immediate, and the dog knows exactly which behavior is desired. Rewards with treats take more time, making it less precise.

Initially, use words and treats along with the clicker. Over time, phase out other rewards, leaving only the “click” as a reward. It’s a neutral and timely method but may not work well when multiple owners click simultaneously.

Choosing Treats for Training

Many dogs need extra motivation through treats. If you opt for this method, get a treat pouch. This teaches the dog not to eat things from the ground, as the reward always comes directly from the pouch.

Be careful not to use treats too frequently, and have other forms of reward available. Too many treats can be detrimental to the dog’s figure. You can address this issue with special training treats. However, some dogs may not respond if there’s no treat involved, leading to challenging situations when one isn’t readily available. Clever dogs might even perform tricks or sit without prompting to get a reward.

Training with a Dog Whistle

Using a dog whistle has advantages: it has a long range and produces a neutral sound. This prevents transferring anger or stress to the dog.

Before using a whistle, both the dog and you need to learn the meanings of different trills, which can also be combined with gestures. When calling the dog, crouch down and spread your arms simultaneously.

The only drawback is that the dog will respond to any whistle that sounds like yours. However, it’s a reliable method that is often more effective than calling. In general, dogs appreciate the attention of their owners, and a hearty praise can be sufficient to reinforce proper behavior.

Important for All Exercises: Your Voice and Body Language

One last accessory is missing from the list: your voice and your body language. The advantage of these two “materials” is that they are always at your disposal. When you have a relaxed and open body posture, your dog is particularly receptive to learning. You must be confident and consistent in your approach for the dog to take you seriously.

How you speak is also crucial: a high pitch is perceived as friendly, while speaking softly makes the dog more attentive. A deep and harsh voice can be threatening, and yelling loudly is quickly ignored. When praising your dog, speak softly, gently, and with a higher pitch. If you need to discourage certain behavior, use a sharper tone and speak as deeply as possible.

At what age should you start training the puppy?

Upon arrival in your family, the puppy is already eight weeks old. This means it can already begin learning basic commands. However, you should give it an adjustment period, and don’t expect immediate results. Patience and repetition are key to success!

The initial family socialization takes about a week, depending on how quickly the puppy adapts to the new environment. Many wish for the little one to learn various commands, such as going outside to do its business, sitting alone in its basket, making space, coming on command, etc. However, overwhelming the small dog with all these tasks at once is not advisable.

For successful training, it’s essential to find the right timing. Puppy training begins with aspects like housebreaking. To get the puppy house-trained, there are some helpful tips.

Additionally, teach the dog early on where its designated spots are and which furniture it should avoid. This includes getting it accustomed to its sleeping area early. While having the puppy in bed might make for a loyal cuddle partner, breaking this habit later can be challenging.

Also, you should immediately and consistently discourage other undesirable behavior. A classic example: playing with your shoes might be amusing when the puppy is small, but in a few weeks, it could destroy the shoe. As soon as the dog shows interest in the shoes, you must make it clear that you disapprove. If you, as a family, are bringing a dog into your home, make sure everyone uses the same command.

Indispensable: Puppy School

Also, in the weeks following its arrival, the puppy should attend its first session at puppy school. Here, the dog learns not from humans but from its peers.

For instance, the puppy has likely only been exposed to people and dogs of its own breed until now. A Havanese, for example, might have difficulty assessing a Bernese Mountain Dog – and vice versa. This is what the puppies learn in puppy school.

The extent to which the animals can learn depends on the quality of the program. When choosing a puppy school, pet owners should ask themselves: What should we pay the most attention to? It’s crucial that several young dogs of different breeds come together. Moreover, it’s enormously helpful if the dog trainer actively observes play, intervenes when necessary, and provides tips.

Lastly, practical considerations such as the distance from your residence should also be taken into account. The costs for puppy school vary significantly depending on the provider and your preferences. Group sessions for puppies are generally affordable, with prices around ten euros. Individual sessions with a dog trainer, on the other hand, can quickly cost 50 euros or more. However, the personalized attention is worthwhile, as the expert provides specific advice and guidance.

Puppy training often includes special rates for packages of ten or more hours. This offers an opportunity to save money. If needed, the dog trainer can also visit your home to observe behaviors specific to that environment and work with you on a strategy. Common issues include fear of the vacuum cleaner or barking at the mail carrier.

Sit and Stay: When to Start Learning Commands?

Now, onto actual puppy training: When is the best time for a young dog to learn commands like sit and stay? It’s important to note that the learning process is a high intellectual effort. Effective learning of this kind is typically only possible after a few months. Depending on the source, an age of around six to seven months is mentioned as the time when puppy training with commands can begin.

Being House-Trained: What Should You Teach the Puppy First?

However, commands like stop or recall should be trained earlier. It’s crucial that the commands are clear. The typical “no” can be problematic because it’s frequently used in everyday language. It’s more practical to use terms like stop or off.

Housebreaking should also be practiced from the beginning so that the puppy doesn’t get used to doing its business inside the house. Such habits are particularly challenging to break. As a rule of thumb: if you don’t want a certain behavior from the adult dog, you should start training against it during puppyhood. For example, small dogs often like to nibble on their owners’ hands. Will you still find this cute in an adult dog?

Being Alone at Home

The separation from siblings and the mother was challenging for your puppy. They’ve taken their place. Another separation from the new caregiver should, therefore, happen relatively late. Training can begin around the fifth month. A few puppies react relatively unaffected to absence and simply go to sleep. However, most dogs respond nervously with barking and whining.

Initially, you are only absent for a short time. Don’t say goodbye; simply leave the room casually and return. Next, try changing rooms without the puppy following you. If a short absence is tolerated, you can leave the apartment or house.

If the puppy reacts to this with stress, return but without paying much attention to it. Unfortunately, it’s not ready yet and needs to continue practicing. If the puppy remains calm, short errands are also possible. However, always leave the puppy alone for as little time as possible!

How Long Should Puppies Train?

How long should a training session last? It’s not the case that dogs learn twice as much in double the time. Instead, the animals have a specific attention span.

Generally, you know your dog best and can tell when it’s getting tired. Initially, puppy training will likely only last a few minutes. Later, you can extend the intervals; adult dogs can endure an hour.

It should also be clarified how often you should train. It’s best to practice regularly – several times a day. This helps the puppy internalize what it has learned. Consistency is crucial. Soon, you can rejoice in a well-behaved and happy dog.