Puppy training begins with everyday life: where to rest, where to toilet and how to ask for attention. You do not need a long list of commands on the first day. A few clear routines, kind handling and small successes give a puppy a much better starting point.
1. Teach behavior your puppy can understand
Dogs learn from repeated experiences and their consequences. A long explanation after a mistake is much less useful than showing the puppy what works. If jumping is unwanted, reward four paws on the floor. If hands are being chewed, offer an appropriate toy and check whether the puppy needs rest.
Respect normal puppy needs: sleep, safe exploration, play, toilet opportunities and social contact. Affection does not spoil a puppy. The difficulty comes when our responses are confusing, overwhelming or poorly timed.
2. Make the environment and routines predictable
Good guidance means arranging situations where success is likely. Store shoes away, provide suitable chews and use safe barriers when you cannot supervise. Choose a few household rules everyone can follow, such as where the puppy sleeps and how people greet them.
Build simple start and finish cues for play. Invite the puppy to a mat before a busy activity. Reward a moment of calm while preparing food, but do not make a hungry or frightened puppy wait through a difficult obedience test. These routines are practical communication, not a contest for rank.
3. Be consistent and reward promptly
Choose one word and hand signal for each behavior. Mark the moment the puppy succeeds with a short word such as “yes,” then deliver the reward promptly. If the puppy cannot respond, make the task easier before trying again.
Keep practice short enough that the puppy stays interested. A few easy repetitions may be plenty. End before frustration or fatigue sets in, and use several small opportunities during the day rather than one long session.
Seven common mistakes
- Repeating a cue until it becomes background noise.
- Rewarding too late, after the puppy has already changed behavior.
- Expecting a new skill to work in a much busier place.
- Using different rules or words across family members.
- Continuing when the puppy is tired, worried or overexcited.
- Only interrupting unwanted behavior without teaching an alternative.
- Ending every session with a correction instead of an achievable success.
A realistic daily rhythm
After waking, offer a toilet opportunity, then a brief easy activity and breakfast. Later, alternate supervised play or exploration with undisturbed rest. In the evening, practice one familiar skill in a quiet setting. Adjust outdoor activity to your puppy’s age, health and veterinary advice.
A routine is a guide, not a rigid timetable. If the puppy needs the toilet or reassurance, respond to that need. Training works best when the puppy is comfortable enough to learn.
Frequently asked questions
When can we start? Gentle learning can begin when the puppy arrives: responding to their name, following a reward and settling in a safe place.
Will treats become a bribe? Rewards explain what worked. As skills become reliable, vary the reward and include play, praise or access to something the puppy enjoys. Do not remove rewards abruptly before the behavior is established.
What if training increases excitement? Shorten the session, lower the difficulty and allow more rest. A puppy who cannot settle may need a change in the daily routine rather than more repetitions.
For training-method guidance, see AVSAB’s position statements.
English edition reviewed and rewritten on October 9, 2026.