If you've just brought home a new puppy, starting obedience training now is crucial. Puppies aren't born knowing commands like "sit," "come," or "stay"—that's our job to teach them. This foundation strengthens your bond with your new family member. Training can begin as early as eight weeks old. Here are five essential tips from experienced trainers.
Use a crate. A crate is invaluable for house training and serves as a safe, quiet haven for your puppy when tired or stressed. Confine them there when unsupervised to ensure safety and teach self-soothing.
Name the behavior as it happens—for instance, say "sit" when your puppy is already sitting. This builds the association between the word and action, leading them to respond on cue over time.
Reward desired behaviors. Puppies repeat what gets attention, so use praise, play, or treats to reinforce positives, making good habits more likely to stick.
Ignore unwanted behaviors. For jumping or whining, withhold eye contact, talking, or picking up. They'll learn these don't yield results and stop trying.
Stay consistent. Everyone in the household must use the same words and reactions. Mixed signals confuse puppies, so family-wide agreement is key.
Preventing bad habits is easier than breaking them later—start training today for a well-mannered companion.
