When Should You Start Training Your Puppy?

Puppies are like sponges and can (and do) learn from an early age.

The timing for when to start training your puppy is crucial for their development and behaviour. Puppies are most receptive to training between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 months. Early socialisation and basic training should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home, typically around 8 weeks of age.

Here's a general timeline for puppy training:

8-12 Weeks: Focus on socialisation, basic behaviours like sit, toilet training, and crate training. Use positive reinforcement techniques, treats, and praise to encourage good behaviour. At this age, puppies need to learn to tolerate small amounts of frustration. Now is a good time to encourage a bit of independence to avoid the puppy developing separation anxiety later in life. For help with this stage of your puppy's training, I'd recommend our home puppy visit.

3-6 Months: Puppies need a lot of sleep. By crate training your puppy, not only will they have a safe space, but they'll have a calm space in which to rest. Now is a great time to encourage engagement through games-based training. For help with this stage of your puppy's training, I'd recommend our group puppy classes, or if you'd like a more bespoke approach to puppy training, then the one-on-one puppy training sessions.

6-24 Months: Adolescence can be very challenging. An adolescent dog is more likely to sit when asked by a stranger than when asked by their owner. Hopefully, you'll have worked hard on engaging with your puppy in the previous puppy stage, as this will make adolescence easier for you. In this stage of life, we focus on impulse control, managing arousal levels and disengagement - the ability to walk away from something of interest.

Early training and socialisation are key so that your puppy grows up to be a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog Puppy training doesn't have to be boring. At On Cloud K9 we use games-based training which is fun for both you and your puppy. We also provide you with lots of information on how to avoid common issues, so that your puppy grows up to be a valued member of your family.

Keep in mind that every puppy is unique, and some may progress faster or slower than others. Be patient, use positive reinforcement, and tailor your training approach to your puppy's individual needs and temperament. Early learning, early training and appropriate socialization lay the foundation for a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog.

Categories: : Puppy Training Tips