When Should Puppies Begin Behavior Training?

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Pinnacle Vet Clinic

If you’ve recently brought a new puppy into your home, you may have many questions about raising it. And, if you’re like most people, the topic most on your mind is behavior training. So, this week we’ll address when to begin puppy behavior training and where to start.

Age to Begin Puppy Behavior Training

Puppies should start behavior training as early as possible, ideally around 8 to 12 weeks of age. This is the critical period for socialization, during which puppies are most receptive to learning and adapting to new experiences.

Age Appropriate Behavior Training for Puppies

Behavior training for puppies should focus on teaching them basic obedience commands. It should also involve socialization with people and other dogs and exposure to different environments and stimuli.

Puppy behavior training can be done at home with the help of books, videos, or online courses. However, enrolling your puppy in a puppy class or working with a professional dog trainer specializing in puppy training is also highly recommended. This will ensure that your puppy receives proper guidance and socialization and that you learn how to communicate and train your furry friend effectively.

What Commands Should Puppies Learn First?

It’s important to start puppy behavior training with only basic commands, which are likely familiar to you already. Below are the five commands your puppy should start learning first:

Sit
Stay
Come
Down
Leave It

It’s important to keep your puppy’s training sessions short and fun, using positive reinforcement techniques like treats, praise, and playtime. To avoid overfeeding your puppy, allocating a percentage of their regular kibble feed for food rewards during training is a good idea. Consistency and patience are key, as your puppy may take several weeks or even months to learn and master these commands. Once your puppy has learned these basic commands, you can move on to more advanced training and tricks.