Best Training Tips For Puppies
Puppies are cute, playful, and full of energy, but let’s get one thing straight—if you don’t train them from day one, you’re setting yourself up for years of frustration. Bad habits don’t disappear on their own. If you let your puppy jump on people, bite your hands, or ignore commands now, they’ll keep doing it when they’re bigger, stronger, and harder to control.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve seen too many dog owners make the same mistake: waiting too long to start training. Then, they wonder why their dog won’t listen, pulls on the leash, or barks non-stop.
The good news? Puppies want to learn. They just need clear rules, patience, and consistency. Follow these training tips, and you’ll raise a well-mannered, obedient dog instead of a stubborn, uncontrollable one.
1. Start Training on Day One—No Excuses
Puppies start learning the moment they enter your home. If you let them run wild for weeks before setting rules, they’ll assume bad behavior is allowed.
👉 What to do:
- Set a schedule – Mealtimes, potty breaks, and training should happen at the same times every day.
- Control their environment – Use baby gates and crates to keep them out of trouble.
- Reward good behavior immediately – Puppies need instant feedback.
💡 Pro tip: If you let them jump on people now, they’ll keep doing it when they’re full-grown.
2. Teach Basic Commands First—No Skipping Steps
Don’t jump into fancy tricks before they master the basics. A well-trained dog knows how to listen before anything else.
👉 Start with these commands:
- Sit – Teaches patience and control.
- Stay – Prevents them from running off.
- Come – Critical for safety.
- Leave it – Stops them from eating dangerous things.
- Down – Helps with impulse control.
💡 Pro tip: Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes). Puppies lose focus fast, so make training fun.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement—But Be Firm
Puppies respond best to rewards, not punishment. If you only yell at them when they do something wrong but never reward them for doing it right, they’ll get confused and frustrated.
👉 How to do it:
- Use treats, praise, or toys as a reward.
- Reward immediately – Dogs live in the moment.
- Ignore bad behavior when possible – Example: If they jump for attention, don’t react.
- Redirect bad behavior – If they chew on furniture, give them a chew toy instead.
💡 Pro tip: Puppies don’t understand “no” unless you show them what to do instead.
4. Stop Biting and Nipping Now
All puppies bite—it’s natural. But if you don’t correct it early, you’ll end up with a dog that thinks biting is okay.
👉 How to stop it:
- Redirect to a chew toy – Every time they bite you, replace your hand with a toy.
- Make a high-pitched “ouch” sound – This mimics how puppies learn bite inhibition from their littermates.
- Stop playing immediately – If they keep biting, end playtime—puppies hate being ignored.
💡 Pro tip: Never use your hands as toys. If you let them bite your hands now, they’ll think it’s okay forever.
5. Crate Train for a Well-Behaved Dog
A properly crate-trained puppy sees their crate as a safe space, not a punishment. It helps with house training, separation anxiety, and destructive behavior.
👉 How to do it:
- Make the crate comfortable – Use a soft bed and a favorite toy.
- Feed them inside the crate to create positive associations.
- Never use it as punishment – The crate should be their happy place.
💡 Pro tip: Puppies need crate time to learn independence and prevent anxiety issues later.
6. Potty Train with a Routine—No Shortcuts
Potty training isn’t hard, but it requires consistency and patience.
👉 How to do it right:
- Take them outside every 2-3 hours—especially after meals and naps.
- Praise them immediately after they go outside—don’t wait until they come back in.
- Never punish accidents—clean it up and move on.
💡 Pro tip: Puppies love routines—stick to one, and they’ll learn faster.
7. Socialize Early or Risk Future Issues
Puppies go through a critical socialization period between 3-16 weeks old. If they don’t experience different people, places, and situations, they can grow up fearful, anxious, or even aggressive.
👉 How to socialize them:
- Introduce them to different people, sounds, and environments as early as possible.
- Expose them to other dogs (in a controlled setting) to build confidence.
- Take them on car rides, to parks, and pet-friendly stores—make new experiences fun.
💡 Pro tip: A poorly socialized puppy can become anxious, reactive, or aggressive. Start early.
8. Train a Strong Recall Command (“Come”)—It Can Save Their Life
Puppies love to explore, and if they don’t learn a reliable recall, they’ll ignore you when it matters most.
👉 How to train recall:
- Start in a quiet area with no distractions.
- Use high-value treats—something better than their regular food.
- Call them excitedly and reward heavily when they come.
- Never punish them for coming back—even if they took their time.
💡 Pro tip: If they ignore you, you’ve moved too fast—go back to basics.
9. Stay Consistent—Puppies Will Test You
Puppies are smart, but they also push boundaries. If you let them jump, pull, or ignore commands once, they’ll keep doing it.
👉 How to stay consistent:
- Everyone in the house follows the same rules—no mixed signals.
- Correct bad behavior every time—don’t let them get away with it “just this once.”
- Reward the good, ignore the bad, and redirect when needed.
💡 Pro tip: If you let them pull on the leash today, they’ll be dragging you down the street tomorrow.
Final Thoughts: Train Now, or Pay for It Later
Puppies are fun, but without training, they turn into nightmares. You’re either teaching good habits or reinforcing bad ones—there’s no in-between.
✅ Start training on day one—don’t wait.
✅ Use positive reinforcement—puppies love to please.
✅ Control their energy—mental and physical exercise is key.
✅ Socialize early—expose them to the world.
✅ Stay consistent—no mixed signals.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have a well-behaved, loyal companion for life. Ignore them, and you’ll be dealing with a stubborn, unruly dog that runs your house.
The choice is yours.
