First Days 8-10 weeks
So, you’ve brought home your little fur-ball of fun and now it’s time to start teaching them all the things! Hopefully, you have been anticipating their arrival and you have created a safe and comfortable space for them to rest and feel relaxed so when you arrive with them, you’re not scrambling around trying to find things frantically. You want this to be a smooth transition. The first two weeks they are with you is all about relationship bonding, learning their name, what is on and off limits, getting used to their crate amd learning to use the potty outside. They will be naturally curious about their new surrounding and this is a great time to introduce them to other family members and pets. Give them a chance to adjust and try not to force things. Patience is key here. There is a period of adjustment and every dog has a different way of processing the change. You can focus on reinforcing what they already know to build a positive and familiar environment which can allow for bonding and building trust. They have already learned, “come”, “sit”, “down” (four on the floor), “shake” (gimme 5), “back”, “stay”, “take a treat”, “no nibbles,” (stopping the hand biting), and “go potty.”
In order to “keep the ball rolling” (pun intended,) I recommend that you start out by trying to fit in a 5-minute training session 2-3 times a day. I think the best time to do that is after they have woken from a nap, had a meal and gone to the potty. Your pup has been exposed to this schedule since they were 4-weeks-old so keeping that schedule going would be the most optimal. If you cannot do that, that’s ok, just try to spend some time teaching them as often as you possibly can. It is important to keep in mind that your pup’s core socialization and learning period is from 4-16 weeks of age, you’ll want to really take advantage of this period of time where the brain is really absorbing things like a sponge.
The most effective component of training a dog is the utilization of repetition. Be prepared to practice what has been taught previously over and over to help them continue to build confidence and rapport with you for the first two weeks (8-10 weeks old.)
Learning their Name
First thing you are going to teach your pup is their name. I may have been using it but you are a new person and they need to learn to listen to you. Using a high reward item like steak or cheese, call the puppy’s name and when they look at you and respond to you, reward immediately. You can use a marker word like “YES!” and then follow with a treat or toy. Continue this until you know that they know that calling their name gets their attention and ready for what is next.
Crate Training
Crate training is an essential piece of the potty training puzzle. I strongly recommend that you use it even if you feel like you don’t want to. Your pup has been in the crate several times by the time you bring them home. You can start their exposure by feeding them in the crate. You want them to associate good things when they go in there. Leave the door open and put their food in there. You can ask them, “Who’s hungry?” and they will get excited. Put the bowl in there and say “kennel up” and show them the food. When they go in, use the marker word, “yes” and then close the door behind them while they eat. They may be finished within five minutes. When they start to whimper or bark, do not go right away. Use the word, “quiet” and do not let them out until they have quieted down. Once they settle, give them 1-2 minutes and then let them out and take them outside and offer a potty opportunity. It is important that they know that you are the boss and that when they listen, then your are responsive and rewarding them with praise and pets. Hold off on giving them treats all the time. They may not eat if they are full of treats. Bring them back inside if they have went to the potty and set a timer for 20 minutes. Take them out every twenty minutes the first week so they start to associate needing to go and going outside. You can also put a bell on the doorknob and each time you go outside ring the bell. This will help them let you know they have to go outside if you are not at the back door. Be consistent. This is KEY. Try to get your puppy to take naps in the crate. They will get sleepy and lay down and you can put them in there and close the door if they start to drift off to sleep. It is good for a puppy to feel safe and cozy in their little crate-den. You can close the door and let them settle using the “quiet” command. This will not work if they are wanting to play. It only works if they are worn out and ready for a nap. If you’re puppy is crying and barking for more than 5 minutes, take them out and play with them for a bit. You want them to be tired and associate resting in the crate. The crate needs to be just a little bigger than them. Puppies normally do not like to soil (pee pee or poo poo) in the area that they are in. Your new baby can only hold their urine for 90 minutes to an hour at 8 weeks old. Each week, their bladders get a little bigger giving you more time between potty breaks. As they continue to grow, account for 1 hour per month old that they can hold it.
Leash Training
After you’ve come home and gotten into a routine, taught your pup their name and introduced them to a crate, the next order of business should be leash training. it’s a good idea to tether a leash to your puppy and introduce them to the idea of being on a leash and walking at a comfortable pace by you side. I strongly recommend not waiting until they are too big to take you for a walk. Since going to a public dog park is not recommended until your pup is fully vaccinated, you can walk your puppy around the house from room to room. you need to have treats in a pocket or pouch so you can immediately reward them as they exhibit self control and mastery. Keep the treat close by your leg so your pup stays close to you. Trust me on this, you want to get a head start on this skill because pretty soon, you will be out and about together and the last thing you want is an out of control 40-50 lb puppy acting crazy. In my opinion, a well-mannered puppy should never pull. If that begins to happen, check out this link from AKC.
The reason to have a dog on a leash may not always be obvious so here is what the American Kennel Club has to say about it. “It’s not only against the law to let your dog off-leash in most public areas, but it can also be unsafe. Your dog could get into a scrap with another dog or run away from you. Keeping your dog leashed allows you greater control over who they interact with and what they get into. But how do you teach your dog to walk politely on a leash? Nobody wants to be dragged down the street, and with a larger dog, you can even suffer injuries if they pull hard enough. Although leash pulling is a common issue for dogs, there are simple techniques to teach your dog appropriate leash behavior. Plus, adjusting your behavior during walks can make a big difference too. If you follow these 10 tips, instead of your dog walking you, soon you and your dog will be walking together.”Leave It
When your puppy is encountering something you don’t want them to get into, you can tell them to “leave it.” This is good for plants, cords, furniture, etc. You will want to follow them around and watch them as they explore. This is the perfect time to teach them what it ok and what is not ok. If you skip this step, your dog will not know what is off limits so use this opportunity to teach them in every single room of your house during the first few weeks. I recommend that you do this after they have pottied outside. The first two weeks they are with you is all about relationship bonding, learning their name, what is on and off limites, getting used to their crate amd learning to use the potty outside.
10 Weeks Mark/Reward, Focus, Hand Target and Sit
Mark is either a click or spoken word that is repeatedly used to let your dog know that they are on the right track. You can use a clicker and if you don’t have one handy, an enthusiastic “yes” works just fine. Usually the marker is immediately followed by a Reward which is something pleasant like a treat, praise or a pet on the head.
I like to teach Focus with the phrase “look at me” and using my index finger pointing to my eyes. If she looks at my eyes then I Mark (click or say “Yes” and Reward (treat, praise or pet.)
Hand Target is getting your puppy to put her nose on your hand. When she does, you can Mark (Yes or click) and then Reward (treat praise or pet.) Gradually make the distance further and further from her nose so she learns that she must go to the hand away to get a Mark and Reward
Teach “sit” by luring your pup backward over her head. Once she is seated, Mark (click or say yes) and Reward (treat, praise or pet.)
Once you have mastered this she is ready to learn from you. You must stay consistent with Mark and Reward to keep her eager to learn and willing to obey your commands.
Fear Stage Around 8-11 weeks of age, puppies go through a fear stage. According to the American Kennel Club, “Fear periods are a normal part of puppy development, but they also can be overwhelming for dogs. During fear periods, puppies become more sensitive and aware of the world around them. They may be more concerned about new objects or experiences, and even things that they previously might have enjoyed can become worrisome. Your puppy will experience two fear periods, both of which are a normal evolutionary part of puppy development. No amount of socialization can prevent them, but the good thing is you can help your puppy to work through them and come out the other side more confident.”
11 Weeks
11 Weeks
12 Weeks
13 Weeks
14 Weeks
15 Weeks
16 Weeks
PUPPY CULTURE PODCASTS
Avidog and Puppy Culture exists to help educate new puppy parents. Please follow the link to check out topics that can help broaden your knowledge and hone your skills in understanding and teaching your pup to be their very best!!
https://shoppuppyculture.com/pages/latest-podcasts
With commitment and following through with making the most of this time, your puppy will develop into a very well-mannered dog that you can enjoy for many years to come.
Troubleshooting
NO RECALL
JUMPING ON PEOPLE
POTTY IN THE HOUSE
BITING HANDS AND ANKLES
COUNTERSURFING
BARKING
DIGGING
CHEWING ON WALLS / BASEBOARDS