Puppy Training 101:
The 7 Essentials Every Puppy Must Learn
Puppies are more than a handful. Depending on their breed, they’re likely to bark, bite, chew, and generally ignore everything you want them to do. While that might be adorable when they’re a little pup, encouraging such behaviors will lead to problems later on.
Puppy training is crucial for getting a well-behaved adult dog. It uses positive, reward-based instructions to teach them a few basic commands (and even some more advanced behaviours). Remember, every time you interact with your puppy, it’s learning from you.
But where do you even begin? If you’ve never trained a puppy before, it can feel a little overwhelming. Thankfully, we’ve compiled the essentials for teaching a puppy.
Why the First Year is Critical
Think of a newborn child. Its interactions during these first few years shape the person it will one day become. If parents ignore their cries or let them get away with bad behaviors, they’ll become more and more common. It’s bad parenting.
Puppies have their own “formative years.” Unlike humans, they’re compressed into just a few months – the make-or-break period. The first year, in particular, is a critical socialization window, when the puppy’s brain is rapidly developing, soaking up experiences, and learning what’s safe or scary in the world.
During this time:
- Social behaviours form: Puppies learn how to interact with humans, other dogs, and new environments.
- Fear imprinting occurs: Negative experiences can stick for life, while positive exposure builds confidence.
- Learning is fastest: Habits taught now (good or bad) are much harder to change later.
How you train, socialise, and expose your puppy during this stage will either set them up for a calm, well-adjusted life or create behavioural challenges that take years to fix.
Puppy Training Essentials
1. House Training
House training is the most important aspect of puppy training. It’s when you teach them how to behave in your home, not biting and chewing items, and knowing where to go to the toilet.
Potty training should be your primary focus initially.
The last thing you want to deal with is accidents in your living room. Remember, it’s all about positive reinforcement — so give them a small treat every time they do it right.
You’ll also want to establish a set schedule. That could include your pup’s meals, potty trips, play times, and training lessons. It makes it easier to predict when they need to go to the toilet.
2. Crate Training
The crate is a dog’s safe haven. The one part of the house that’s unequivocally theirs and should never feel like a punishment. When introduced correctly, the crate becomes a gentle place where they can retreat to relax.
To introduce it positively:
- Place soft bedding and a toy inside to make it inviting.
- Start with short, calm sessions with the door open, gradually increasing the time.
- Offer treats and praise when your puppy enters willingly, reinforcing the idea that good things happen in the crate.
Crate training goes hand in hand with housebreaking. It teaches bladder control and adds structure to toilet breaks. Plus, it helps reduce separation anxiety — something that can be a major problem when you return to normal life.
If your puppy doesn’t take to the crate, a small play yard can be a great alternative that still provides a safe, contained space for rest and routine.
3. Basic Commands
You don’t have to teach your pup dozens of commands. Just a handful of basics can make life infinitely easier. We recommend teaching them:
- “Sit”
- “Stay”
- “Come”
- “Leave It”
Don’t make training sessions a chore. Use lots of small treats and positive reinforcement to turn the process into a game. There are tons of helpful guides for each of these commands. Just remember to be consistent; otherwise, it can slow the learning process.
4. Socialization
Socialization is a big step.
Your puppy might have only been around a handful of people in its whole life. Suddenly, it’s thrust into a dizzying environment of different people, dogs, smells, and other sensations.
Yet, it’s a crucial step.
A well-socialized dog is happier and more confident, and less likely to have fear-based aggression later in life.
5. Leash Training
Leash training starts early. Get your puppy used to wearing a collar or harness around the house before attaching a lead. Begin with short, positive sessions, rewarding them for walking calmly by your side.
If they pull, stop walking and gently redirect them—don’t yank the lead. Reward loose-leash walking with treats and praise to reinforce good behaviour. Early leash manners make walks safer, more enjoyable, and prevent pulling habits that are harder to fix later.
6. Bite Inhibition
Puppies don’t have fingers and hands. They explore the world with their mouths. Unfortunately, that means nipping and chewing almost everything they can get their teeth on.
Bite control involves teaching your puppy how much pressure is acceptable during play. If your puppy bites too hard, stop briefly to signal that it hurts
Chew toys are a fantastic way to encourage this behavior without wrecking your furniture. It can also reduce painful nipping and aggressive biting later on.
7. Handling and Grooming
Your pup needs to get used to grooming from an early age.
Introduce brushing, bathing, and nail clipping gradually, making it a fun and rewarding experience (literally — use lots of small treats). This prevents it from becoming a battle every time you need to give them a wash.
Common Puppy Training Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, some habits can derail early training:
- Punishing mistakes: Yelling or harsh corrections can create fear instead of teaching your puppy what’s right.
- Inconsistent rules: If one day the couch is off-limits and the next it’s allowed, your puppy won’t know what to expect.
- Skipping socialization: Avoiding people, dogs, and new environments (often due to illness concerns) can lead to long-term fear or aggression.
- Moving too fast: Expecting perfect house training or obedience within days can frustrate both you and your pup.
Staying patient, keeping routines consistent, and rewarding good behaviour help your puppy build lifelong confidence and trust.
Ready to Start Training?
At Kountry Side Puppies, we set every puppy up for success before they go home—introducing them to people, new environments, and basic routines. When you bring home one of our pups, you’re starting with a confident companion who’s ready to learn.