Puppy training for beginners - how to train a puppy

Bringing a puppy home for the first time is an exciting and wonderful moment for any pet parent, but puppy training for beginners can be a little daunting. Or, maybe you're becoming a canine grandparent with a dog pregnancy on your hands - either way, a huge congratulations! It’s important to remember that amongst all of the fun, puppy training is an important part of your first few weeks and months together, and is crucial to your new dog’s (or dogs', should we say) development. 

While it may seem a daunting task at first, puppy training can be enjoyable for both you and your pup when done right. As well as teaching your puppy basic commands, puppy training can be a great way to bond, gain trust and begin the foundations for a strong relationship together.

Not only does training provide a critical role in your dog’s development, it helps them learn to safely interact with other people and animals in their environment. From leash training and socialisation to crate training a puppy, our guide to puppy training for beginners is here to help you with getting started with a puppy at home and to give your new buddy the best possible start in life.

When can I get started with my puppy's training?

Getting started with a puppy's training can happen on their very first day in their new home. Puppy training for beginners might be a little daunting for you as a new pet parent, but the sooner you begin, the better.

Puppies learn at different stages of their lives, but they can begin to learn basic commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ as early as 8 weeks old. We’ll go more into basic puppy training commands further below (including the dreaded potty training puppy stage).

Between 8-12 weeks is also a great time to begin socialising your puppy with other fully vaccinated dogs, and to begin leaving them alone for short periods of time to prevent any separation anxiety-related issues further down the line. Crate training a puppy creates a safe space for them to retreat to while you’re out and ensures minimal house destruction while they’re still in the chewing stage. 

Puppy training through positive reinforcement

When it comes to how to train a puppy and dog training for beginners, there are many methods but almost all professionals and veterinary experts agree that positive reinforcement is the best way to achieve results and ensure a happy pup.

Positive reinforcement training includes rewarding your dog for following a command, and can be anything from a tasty treat to their favourite toy. Dogs then associate the act (or command) with a positive outcome, making them more likely to do it again in the future. 

To apply positive reinforcement puppy training, you first have to find out which rewards work best for your pup. Some are motivated by their normal dry food, while others might need something tastier, like a special training treat or small pieces of cooked lean meat.

Of course, it’s possible your puppy isn’t motivated by food at all! In this case, try to find a toy they enjoy that you can reward them with when they do as they’re told. Praise is also an excellent way to reinforce good behaviour during puppy training. Just simply saying, “good boy/girl” may be all you need to get started with the basics.

Trusted tip: if you choose treats to train your puppy, make sure to factor this into your puppy’s diet to ensure they don't pack on any extra pounds.

Why negative reinforcement doesn’t work

Whether we're talking about dog training for beginners or well-seasoned trainers, negative reinforcement should never be used in puppy training. Not only is this method ineffective, but it will also cause your puppy to become frightened of you, potentially causing further issues around aggressive or nervous behaviour.

By focusing on positive reward-based reinforcement of your puppy’s good behaviour, they’re much more likely to remember it. Instead of punishing unwanted behaviour, many experts suggest ignoring it completely – when your dog sees that it achieves no reaction, they’re less likely to do it in the future. 

Walkies! Leash training and car journeys

Taking your puppy outside the house is the next step in your puppy training journey. Taking your new pup out for a stroll can be one of the most exciting things about having a new dog, and getting your dog to walk on a leash is an important part of puppy training.

Choosing the right lead and equipment for your first walk together is a great place to start, and puppies in particular will benefit from a harness for a more comfortable walk. 

Location is another important element, and you may find it useful to practice using a leash on your dog a few times in the garden, or somewhere quiet where your puppy is less likely to be distracted. With a pocket full of treats at the ready, you should aim to keep a loose leash, continuing to walk and praise your dog whenever the leash remains loose.

Remember, it’s okay if your pup walks a few steps away from you, but the moment the leash gets tight, or if your dog pulls in a different direction away from you, try to encourage them back to you, giving lots of praise when they do. This should train your dog to associate being near you on a walk as a positive thing! For more on this, check out our blog on how to train a dog to walk on a leash.

If you’re planning a journey a bit further away from home, we recommend reading our recent blog post on travelling with pets.

Basic commands to teach a puppy 

Whether you want your puppy to sit, stay, come, or play, learning basic commands is not only a great way for your new companion to begin their puppy training, but these are key commands that you’ll use throughout your puppy’s life. 

Similar to leash training, basic commands, such as ‘sit’, ‘lie down’ and ‘stay’, can be easily achieved with patience and some positive reinforcement. 

The American Kennel Club has a great guide to teaching your dog basic puppy commands, which include tips on how to train your puppy to sit, stay and lie down, as well as teaching them to come when called. Some other milestones you can work towards, include:

Crate Training

By crate training your puppy you give them a calm, safe place to retreat to when they’re tired, nervous or stressed (think fireworks). Start by bringing them to their crate for 10- minute intervals while they’re nice and calm. As we said before, positive reinforcement is key so reward them when they do go in with their favourite treat or toy.

How to potty train a puppy

Consistency is key when it comes to potty training your puppy. Maintain a schedule by letting them out first thing in the morning, after eating, and post playtime throughout the day. At this point they should start having enough bladder control to learn to hold it. Reward your puppy with a treat every time they successfully go outside.

How to socialise your puppy

Socialisation is an important part of puppy training - it's one of the most important dog training tips for puppies, in fact. Getting them used to other people and other dogs makes our pups more friendly and well-behaved, and less prone to fear-based aggression. 

Once your new puppy has been fully vaccinated, you can start taking them out and allowing them to socialise. Letting your puppy meet and play with other dogs in a neutral area, such as a park, is a great place to start as well as taking them to meet friends and family dogs to introduce them to as many waggy tails as possible.

Puppy classes are another great way to socialise your pup. As well as helping to boost their confidence and make new pup pals, it can be a great place to put into practice those basic puppy training commands. 

Dog training tips for puppies: dos and don'ts

We already know that patience, positive reinforcement and consistency are key when it comes to puppy training. But for a handy list of the do’s and the don’ts, look no further. 

Do…

• Train in short sessions: 10-15 minutes per session should be more than enough, and will avoid over-exerting your puppy
• Stick to teaching one command at a time to avoid confusion
• Say your commands clear, consistently, and say the command once – repeating command words during puppy training won’t necessarily improve results, and you could risk your puppy getting confused or bored
• Choose a time and location for puppy training where you’ll have no distractions. It can also help to switch up locations to introduce them to new sights and sounds
• Be patient, kind and considerate – remember, it’s hard work being a pup!

Don’t…

• Force your pup to train – it’s better to come back to it when they are more engaged and more likely to be in the mood for training
• Get frustrated – remember, positivity and patience is key with puppy training
• Let your puppy get bored – keep training fun and engaging. If you notice your puppy becoming bored, it’s best to switch activities or come back to it later
• Use negative reinforcement – it will only make your puppy nervous or frightened, and may lead to aggressive behaviour in the future

Finding a puppy training class

Puppy training classes are great if you need further support training your puppy, or if you wish to teach your dog more advanced training.

The help and support of a dog trainer can be very useful, particularly for new dog parents. Taking advantage of a trained expert allows you to ask all the questions regarding crate training a puppy, potty training as well as any general puppy training questions. And, as an added bonus, your pup will get to socialise with lots of new poochie pals in the class.

Looking for a local puppy training class? You can start by asking around at your local vets, or by looking online. Make sure to only book in with a registered and reputable dog trainer – you can search online using the Kennel Club website to find a puppy training class near you. Most will be happy to meet you beforehand, or let you sit in on a class, so you can make sure it’s right for you, and your pooch.

If you're thinking about welcoming a puppy soon, why not keep your pet happy at home with an in-home pet sitter? In-home pet sitters are a great choice for growing pups while their owners are away, as it keeps them in their usual routines and in the comfort of their own home. Why not check out our recent blog post on pet sitting for puppies?

Got your own puppy training tips to share? Head over to our Community Forum and post your thoughts and share advice with our like-minded community.