Training begins the moment your puppy comes home — not at 6 months when you enroll in a class. The first weeks and months set the foundation for everything that follows. This timeline provides a structured framework for what to prioritize at each age, while acknowledging that every puppy develops at its own pace.
Table of Contents
Week 8-10: Foundation
- Socialization priority #1: Expose to as many safe new experiences as possible (people, sounds, surfaces, handling)
- Name recognition: Say name → treat. 50+ repetitions daily.
- House training begins: Every 30-60 minutes outside. Reward every outdoor elimination.
- Crate introduction: Positive association only. Short periods (minutes).
- Handling exercises: Touch paws, ears, mouth — pair with treats.
- Start "sit": Lure only. Very short sessions (1-2 minutes).
- Bite inhibition: Begin teaching soft mouth through play feedback.
Week 10-12: Building
- Socialization continues aggressively
- Sit becoming reliable (lure fading)
- Down introduced (luring)
- Name recognition solid
- Crate: up to 1-2 hours (age-appropriate)
- House training improving (fewer accidents, going to door)
- Leash wearing: Let puppy drag leash indoors, then short walks outside
- Puppy class enrollment (if available — socialization + foundation skills)
Week 12-16: Expansion
- Recall training begins (short distances, high value)
- Stay introduced (2-5 seconds initially)
- "Leave it" foundation
- Leash walking: Rewarding position near you
- Socialization window closing (make every remaining day count)
- Alone time: Brief absences (prevent separation anxiety)
- Impulse control games begin
Month 4-5: Adolescence Begins
- Generalize all skills: Practice in new environments (skills are context-dependent)
- Recall proofing: Long line work in increasingly distracting environments
- Loose leash walking: Formal training begins (puppy now has attention span)
- Duration on stays: Building from seconds to minutes
- Teething management: Increased mouthing — redirect to appropriate chews
- May see regression: Normal — maintain training consistency
Month 5-6: Consolidation
- Intermediate class enrollment
- Recall at 80%+ in moderate distraction
- Stay for 30+ seconds at 10+ feet
- Leash manners improving (not perfect — ongoing work)
- House training nearly complete
- Begin advanced tricks and/or sport foundations
- Continued socialization (lifelong but less critical than before 16 weeks)
General Principles
- Sessions: 1-3 minutes for 8-12 week puppies. 3-5 minutes for 3-4 months. 5-10 minutes for 5+ months.
- Frequency: 3-5 short sessions daily > 1 long session.
- End on success: Always finish while the puppy is still engaged and successful.
- Rate of reinforcement: Very high for puppies (reward every correct response). Thin the schedule only after behavior is fluent.
- Sleep needs: Puppies need 16-18 hours of sleep daily. Don't over-train.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I starting too late if my puppy is already 4 months?
No. While the socialization window (3-16 weeks) is time-sensitive, training itself can start at any age. A 4-month-old puppy is still incredibly impressionable and learns rapidly. You haven't missed training — you've missed some of the easiest socialization window. Focus on gentle exposure to new things while prioritizing basic skills.
