The First Steps to a Well-Behaved Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. As a puppy parent, one of the most important things you can do is to start training early. Enrolling your puppy in puppy training classes not only teaches essential skills but also sets the foundation for a lifetime of good behaviour and a strong bond between you and your dog. Puppy training classes help you navigate the challenges of puppyhood, turning them into rewarding moments for both you and your puppy.
If you’d like to explore our Puppy Training Classes in more detail, feel free to visit our Puppy Training Services page for more information on class availability and schedules.
The Core Skills Every Puppy Should Focus On
While every puppy is unique, there are a few fundamental skills that all puppies should be taught. These skills not only make your life easier but also create a safe, well-adjusted dog.
1. Basic Obedience (Sit, Stay, Come)
One of the first things every puppy should learn is how to respond to basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These are the building blocks for more complex training and everyday behaviour.
- Why It’s Important: These commands help manage your puppy in different situations, whether you’re at home or out in public. For example, teaching your puppy to “sit” before feeding or going through doors is not just practical—it prevents chaos and builds a sense of structure.
- How to Start: Start with short, positive training sessions, rewarding your puppy with treats or praise for each successful response. Be patient—puppies have short attention spans, so brief, frequent sessions are most effective.
2. Socialisation with People and Other Dogs
Socialisation is often seen as simply introducing your puppy to other dogs and people, but it’s much more than that. The key to successful socialisation lies in teaching your puppy to focus on you, even when surrounded by distractions. Whether it’s other dogs, people, or wildlife, your puppy must learn that you are more rewarding and important than anything else in their environment.
At Fresh Start Dog Training, in our puppy training classes, we use the concept of “None of Your Business” training. This helps puppies understand that their attention should be on their handler, regardless of what’s going on around them. This foundation work not only fosters a deeper connection with your puppy but also prevents the development of unwanted behaviours like running up to other dogs or chasing after squirrels, deer, or even the occasional passerby.
Why It’s Important:
- By focusing on the handler in distracting environments, your puppy is less likely to develop reactive behaviours like lunging at other dogs, pulling on the lead, or running off at the sight of a deer. Think of the viral video where a dog, with no recall training, chases after a deer in a London park while his owner frantically calls him. This is exactly what “None of Your Business” training prevents. It teaches your dog that engaging with you is far more rewarding than chasing after distractions, preventing dangerous or undesirable behaviours before they become habits.
- How It Helps: This method creates a calm and confident puppy who can walk past other dogs, ignore squirrels, and stay focused on their handler, no matter the environment. It prevents reactivity and builds a strong, trusting relationship where your dog views you as the most important presence in their life—far more valuable than any external distraction. With this foundation, you’ll avoid the stress and frustration of dealing with unwanted chasing or reactive behaviours, and instead enjoy walks where your puppy listens to you in any situation.
3. Toilet Training
Toilet training is often one of the first challenges new puppy owners face. Establishing a routine and being consistent with where and when your puppy goes is key to successful toilet training.
- Why It’s Important: A well-established toilet routine ensures fewer accidents in the house, which keeps your home clean and helps your puppy develop good habits early on. Additionally, teaching your puppy to go to the toilet on cue can help reduce marking behaviours as they grow older. This skill is particularly useful when travelling, as it makes it easier to manage bathroom breaks during car journeys, holidays, or trips to the park.
- The Biggest Mistake New Owners Make: One of the most common mistakes new puppy owners make is giving their puppy too much freedom too quickly. While it’s tempting to let your puppy explore all areas of the home, it’s important to remember that their toilet training isn’t complete until they’re reliably going in the right place. To avoid accidents and confusion, make sure that any increase in freedom is done slowly and only once your puppy is consistently going to the toilet outside. This helps prevent bad habits from forming and reinforces the routine you’re establishing.
- How to Start: Take your puppy outside regularly, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Praise them when they go to the toilet in the right place. Consistency is the key to success, so stick to a routine that your puppy can rely on. Over time, you can even start associating a cue, like “toilet,” with the action. This will help your puppy understand when it’s time to go, making it easier to manage their needs when you’re on the go.
4. Basic Crate Training
While crate training is often associated with housebreaking, it can also be a valuable skill that provides a safe, comfortable space for your puppy.
- Why It’s Important: A crate becomes a place where your puppy can relax and feel secure, which is especially helpful when you need to leave the house. Crate training can also prevent destructive behaviour, like chewing or rummaging through rubbish when you’re not around. Think of it like sending your child to their room. When a child is sent to their room as a form of discipline, it’s typically a punishment. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll never want to go to their room again. It’s simply a place where they can have some time to themselves. The same applies to the crate—it’s not a punishment, but a secure, personal space where your puppy can retreat to and rest.
- How It’s Like a Bedroom for Your Dog: A crate is like a bedroom for your puppy—a comfortable, designated space where they can feel safe. Unlike a child’s room, however, a crate is portable. It can travel with you, providing your dog with a consistent and familiar space to rest, even when you’re away from home on holiday or visiting new places. Having a “home away from home” is particularly useful during trips, as it allows your dog to feel secure and settled no matter where they are.
- How to Start: Make the crate a positive space by offering treats, toys, and meals inside it. Never use the crate as a punishment. Begin with short periods of time and gradually increase them, ensuring your puppy feels comfortable and safe. Over time, they’ll begin to associate the crate with relaxation and comfort, not confinement.
5. Focus and Calmness
Teaching your puppy to focus and stay calm is essential for preventing hyperactive behaviour and helping your puppy settle in various situations.
- Why It’s Important: A puppy that learns to focus on you in distracting environments is easier to control and less likely to develop anxiety. Teaching calmness helps both you and your puppy feel more relaxed in busy or noisy environments. Incorporating boundary/bed games is a fantastic way to reinforce calmness and focus, especially when you need your puppy to stay in one place or settle down.
- Boundary/Bed Games: These games teach your puppy to stay within set boundaries, like staying on their bed or designated area. It helps your puppy understand that they need to be calm in certain places, which can be very useful when you need them to stay still during specific times. For example, during mealtimes, while working, or when you need them to settle in one spot. With these games, you create an environment where your puppy learns self-control, which can significantly reduce anxiety and restlessness.
- How to Start: Use positive reinforcement to reward your puppy for being calm and staying in their bed or boundary area. Practice “settle” or “relax” cues and reward them when they stay calm and focused. Over time, you can introduce more distractions as they improve, gradually helping your puppy become more focused and settled, even in challenging environments.
Why Early Training is Crucial for Your Puppy’s Success
Training a puppy isn’t just about teaching them tricks or teaching them what not to do. Early training sets the stage for your puppy’s entire life—shaping their behaviour, boosting their confidence, and strengthening the bond between you. One of the most important things early training does is teach your puppy how to learn. By establishing routines, commands, and behaviours, your puppy begins to understand how to focus, process information, and respond to cues. This makes future learning easier and helps your puppy thrive in more advanced training.
We don’t always know what life holds for us, and our puppies are no exception. Whether it’s moving to a new house, having a new family member, or even changes in routine, life can be unpredictable. Early puppy training classes ensures that our puppies grow up flexible and capable of handling whatever life throws their way. By teaching your puppy how to adapt to different situations and environments, you’re setting them up to become a confident, well-adjusted dog who can thrive no matter the challenges they face.
Here’s why early training matters:
- Creates a Strong Foundation
Starting early allows you to teach your puppy good behaviours before bad habits take root. It’s far easier to reinforce positive behaviours in young puppies than it is to break old habits as they grow older. - Prevents Behavioural Issues
Addressing common behavioural issues—like chewing, biting, or jumping—early in your puppy’s life can prevent these behaviours from becoming ingrained. Puppy training helps you guide your dog to become the kind of companion you want and need. - Boosts Confidence and Reduces Fear
Puppies that are exposed to positive training experiences, socialisation, and different environments become more confident and less fearful as they mature. This reduces the likelihood of anxiety-related behaviours and helps your puppy handle new situations with ease. - Fosters a Strong Relationship
Training builds a clear, positive communication channel between you and your puppy. They’ll learn to trust you, understand your cues, and see you as a leader. This strengthens the bond between you and ensures that your puppy feels secure, knowing what to expect. - Teaches Them How to Learn
Early training teaches your puppy how to learn. When puppies are introduced to consistent cues, boundaries, and reward-based learning, they begin to understand the process of learning itself. This sets them up for success in future training sessions and makes it easier to teach them more advanced skills down the line.
Conclusion: The Power of Early Training
Training your puppy may seem like a lot of work, but the effort you put in now will pay off in a well-behaved, confident dog in the long run. By focusing on essential skills like obedience, socialisation, toilet training, and crate training, you’ll give your puppy the best start in life. And most importantly, you’ll enjoy a harmonious relationship with a dog who understands what’s expected of them.
One of our clients shared their experience:
“After just 5 sessions with Christine, it’s like we have a new dog! He’s an absolute joy to walk, takes no interest in other dogs or people, and is far less phased by visitors coming into our home.”
If you’d like to set your puppy on the path to success, consider enrolling in our puppy training classes. Our current courses are designed to help puppies develop confidence, focus, and good behaviour from the start. Read more reviews and book your place here.
Leave a Reply