Did you know that humans and dogs began bonding over 30,000 years ago?
Throughout all that time, we’ve learned how best to train puppies to be well-behaved. This kind of training is the best way to keep that unique relationship strong between humans and canines.
If you’ve welcomed a young pup into your family recently, you might feel uncertain where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this puppy training schedule to help you every step of the way!
7 – 9 Weeks
When you first bring your puppy home, it’s time to begin training right away.
The first place to start with puppy training is by developing a solid routine. Animals thrive with a good routine and now’s the time to figure out what’s the best one for your whole family.
In addition, focus on:
- Teaching ‘yes’ and ‘no’ commands
- Name recognition
- Crate training
- Socializing with friends and family
- Bathroom habits
You want to keep things as simple as possible when they’re so young. As the puppy grows, you’ll add complexity to the training.
10 – 12 Weeks
Once a new routine is set, you’ll need to stick to it as much as possible. This gives your pup structure and reliability in their day.
Keep working on past training while beginning to introduce more difficult concepts, such as:
- Getting comfortable with a collar and leash
- Impulse control when receiving food or treats
- Simple commands, such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’
Whether you decide to do the training yourself or hire a professional puppy trainer, this period is important for the development of your puppy!
3 – 6 Months
Now that your puppy has a lot of the basics down, it’s time to lower the number of treats you give him for a job well done. This prevents your puppy from being focused only on the treat as a reward.
Make sure to continue training everything from before, and add in:
- Heel training on the leash
- Advanced commands, such as ‘drop it’
- Combine previous commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ or ‘sit’ and then ‘come’
- Longer walks
- Introduce new surroundings
It’s also time to give your pup all the medications and vaccines he needs to start meeting other dogs in your area. Socialization is key for a friendly pup!
6 Months and Beyond
Once your puppy reaches this milestone, you’ve built a strong foundation in his dog training. All that’s left is to keep working on all the prior training aspects while introducing more complexity.
Add extra distance between you and your pup when issuing commands. Include distractions or extra time between command and reward.
These extra steps sound simple, but they’ll teach your pup everything he needs to know!
Stick to Our Puppy Training Schedule to Develop a Thriving Relationship
The best part about having a puppy training schedule is that it keeps both you and your pup on track. You’ll never need to worry if you are missing something since it’s all laid out for you.
With the right diligence, your puppy will grow into a happy, healthy, and well-behaved dog!
Feeling a little overwhelmed? We’re here to help. Check out our training services to make sure you and your pup develop the best bond possible!
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