Just got a puppy? Congratulations!
There’s nothing quite like bringing a puppy home. Those little faces, waggy tails and moments when they curl up beside you are pretty special. And let’s be honest, it’s also rather lovely watching them explore their new world!
But alongside all the fun, you might also be wondering where on earth to start with training.
Should you be teaching them to sit? How do you stop those little needle teeth attacking your hands? And how do you make sure your adorable bundle of fluff grows into a happy, confident adult dog?
The good news is that you don’t need to teach your puppy everything at once. In fact, the most important lessons aren’t necessarily about getting your puppy to sit or lie down on cue. They’re about helping them learn how to navigate everyday life, feel safe in the world around them and build a brilliant relationship with you.
At Happipup – award winning dog training in Berkshire – we believe training should be fun, rewarding and something you both enjoy.
So, here are seven things worth concentrating on while your puppy is growing up.
-
Building your puppy’s confidence in the big wide world
Your puppy has an enormous amount to learn about the world, from meeting different people and seeing other dogs to hearing traffic, encountering strange objects and exploring unfamiliar places.
Early experiences matter, but socialisation isn’t about making your puppy meet everyone and everything. It’s about helping them feel comfortable and safe around the things they’re likely to encounter throughout their lives.
You can help by:
- Letting your puppy explore new environments at their own pace.
- Introducing everyday sounds, sights and surfaces gradually.
- Allowing them to watch the world from a comfortable distance.
- Rewarding calm curiosity and giving them the option to move away.
- Making sure interactions with people and other dogs are positive and appropriate.
Never force your puppy to approach something they’re worried about. Give them space, let them observe and allow their confidence to grow naturally.
A puppy who learns that they can trust you to help them feel safe is developing a really important life skill.
-
Coming back when you call
Imagine being out for a walk and calling your dog, only to watch them sprint in the opposite direction because something much more exciting has caught their attention!
Teaching a reliable recall takes time and practice, but you can start building the foundations at home.
Begin somewhere quiet. Say your puppy’s name or use your recall cue in a happy voice. When they turn towards you or come over, reward them with something they really enjoy.
Make it a brilliant experience to come back to you!
As your puppy gets better, gradually practise in different places and around carefully managed distractions. A long line can help keep them safe while they learn outdoors.
Remember, coming back to you should be worth their while. Never assume that because your puppy comes running in the kitchen, they’ll automatically do the same when they spot another dog or a squirrel!
-
Learning to walk nicely on the lead
Those first walks can be an adventure for everyone involved. Your puppy wants to investigate every leaf, sniff every lamp post and possibly eat something questionable along the way!
Rather than waiting until your puppy is strong enough to pull you down the road, start teaching them that being near you is rewarding.
Practise indoors or in the garden first. Reward your puppy for choosing to walk alongside you, checking in with you and keeping a loose lead.
Keep early sessions short and enjoyable. Puppies have little legs, short attention spans and an awful lot to discover.
The aim isn’t to march your puppy around the neighbourhood. It’s to help them learn that walking with you is a great way to explore the world together.
-
Learning to settle and switch off
Puppies need plenty of sleep, but some seem determined to keep going until they practically fall over!
Learning to relax is just as important as learning to play. A puppy who becomes overtired may start biting more, racing around the house or struggling to settle.
Help your puppy by:
- Providing a comfortable, quiet place to rest.
- Keeping play and training sessions appropriate for their age.
- Rewarding moments when they choose to settle calmly.
- Building a predictable routine with plenty of opportunities for sleep.
- Helping them learn that not every moment needs to be filled with excitement.
You can also teach your puppy that relaxing on a bed or mat is rewarding.
And if your puppy suddenly turns into a tiny whirlwind of teeth and legs, consider whether they might be overtired rather than simply being naughty!
-
Getting comfortable with handling and grooming
Puppies will need to be handled throughout their lives, whether that’s for grooming, nail care, checking their ears, visiting the vet or simply giving them a cuddle.
Helping them feel comfortable with handling early on can make these everyday experiences much easier.
Start gently. Touch an area briefly, offer a tasty reward and then pause. Watch how your puppy responds and keep sessions short.
Gradually introduce things such as:
- Having their paws touched.
- Gentle brushing.
- Looking at their ears and mouth.
- Wearing a harness.
- Being comfortable with brief, gentle restraint when necessary.
The important thing is to build positive associations rather than holding your puppy still and hoping they’ll get used to it.
If they move away, let them. Giving your puppy choice helps build trust and makes future handling much easier.
-
Learning to cope with frustration and being alone
Puppies don’t automatically know how to cope when they can’t have something they want, when a game ends or when you leave the room.
These are skills they need to learn gradually.
You can start with little everyday opportunities to practise waiting briefly, taking turns in games and settling with a suitable chew or enrichment activity.
Being comfortable alone is particularly important. Start with tiny, manageable steps while your puppy is relaxed, and build up gradually. Avoid leaving them to cry it out or expecting them to cope with long periods alone before they’re ready.
If your puppy becomes worried, take a step back and make the exercise easier.
The goal isn’t to stop your puppy expressing their feelings. It’s to help them learn that they can cope with everyday frustrations and that good things happen even when they aren’t getting your attention every second.
-
Building a brilliant relationship with you
This is probably the most important lesson of all!
Training isn’t just about teaching your puppy to sit, stay or walk nicely. It’s about developing a relationship in which your puppy enjoys being with you, feels safe asking for help and learns that working together is rewarding.
Play with them. Explore together. Teach them fun tricks. Reward them when they make good choices, and remember that they’re still learning.
When things don’t go to plan, try to work out what your puppy needs rather than assuming they’re being difficult.
Reward-based training helps your puppy understand which behaviours work, while keeping learning positive and enjoyable.
And don’t forget to celebrate the little wins! Those moments when your puppy chooses to look at you instead of chasing a distraction, settles quietly beside you or comes racing back when called are all worth celebrating.
Why puppy training classes can make such a difference
You can do a huge amount of training at home, but attending a good puppy class gives you the opportunity to develop your skills with guidance from an experienced trainer.
At Happipup, our puppy classes are designed to help you and your puppy build the foundations for a happy life together.
We use reward-based training to make learning enjoyable, with practical exercises that help puppies develop important life skills. We also help owners understand their puppies’ behaviour, recognise what their puppies are communicating and work through those everyday challenges that can sometimes leave you wondering what you’ve let yourself in for!
Our aim isn’t to produce a room full of puppies who can all sit perfectly on cue. It’s to help you understand your puppy, develop a great relationship and give them the skills they need to navigate the world with confidence.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions, learn alongside other puppy owners and get support as your puppy grows.
Whether you’re welcoming your very first puppy or it’s been a while since you last had one, having the right guidance can make those early months much less overwhelming.
Ready to give your puppy the best start?
Those first few months go by incredibly quickly. You don’t need a perfectly behaved puppy, and you certainly don’t need to have everything figured out already.
What you do need is a willingness to learn together, a little patience, plenty of rewards and a good sense of humour!
If you’ve recently welcomed a puppy into your family and would like some help getting started, Happipup puppy classes in the Reading area can help you build the foundations for a happy, confident and well-adjusted dog.
Get in touch to find out about our upcoming puppy classes and give your puppy the best possible start.
Happipup — Because every dog deserves to shine.
Get in touch today
to find out how I can support you through the early stages of puppy ownership and help you build a calm, positive relationship with your dog.
📸 Share Your Training Journey!
Tag @Happipup or use #TrainWithHappipup on Instagram to show off your progress. We love seeing our pups learn and grow with love!