Puppy Training Tips
Are you Puppy Prepared?
Puppy Training Tips: Are You Puppy Prepared?
They’re adorable, right? That fluffy face, those little paws… until they keep you up all night, chew everything in sight, and go potty on your living room rug.
Raising a puppy is a rewarding journey, but it comes with challenges. That’s why puppy training is essential right from the start. A well-prepared puppy parent sets the foundation for a confident, well-mannered adult dog.
What Is Positive Reinforcement Puppy Training?
The foundation of my training philosophy is positive reinforcement puppy training. This science-based approach focuses on rewarding the behaviours you want to see more of using food, toys, praise, or anything your puppy finds valuable, yes, even their regular kibble!
For example, when your puppy goes potty outside, you immediately reward them with a treat. This teaches your puppy that going outdoors leads to good things, making the behaviour more likely to happen again.
Positive Reinforcement (R+) is widely recommended by leading animal behaviour organizations and is rooted in B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning. Reward-based trainers use two learning quadrants:
- R+ (adding a reward to increase behaviour)
- P- (removing something the dog values to decrease unwanted behaviour)
No fear. No punishment. Just communication, structure, and rewards.
Puppy Preparation: Before They Come Home
Are you really ready for your puppy? Let’s check:
- Puppy-proof your home: Remove anything unsafe or valuable from reach, wires, shoes, toxic plants, kids’ toys.
- Have a plan: Decide where your puppy will sleep, eat, and go potty.
- Other pets: Plan calm, gradual introductions and ensure everyone still gets attention.
- Kids in the house: Teach respectful behaviour: no rough play, no interrupting meals, and always supervise interactions.
Success starts with structure! The more prepared you are, the easier the transition will be for everyone.
Puppy’s Safe Place & Crate Training
Crate training is a powerful tool for house training, managing chewing, and providing a safe, quiet space for your puppy to rest and relax.
- Use a crate that’s the right size, or use a divider.
- Introduce the crate positively! Toss treats in and let your puppy explore at their own pace.
- Place cozy bedding, safe chew toys, and even a familiar smelling blanket inside
- Keep the crate near you. Dogs are social animals and often feel safer when you are nearby.
- Never use the crate as punishment. It should always be a positive place.
Safety tip: Always remove collars or tags before crating.
Puppy Feeding Time
Tips & Tools
Start with a quality puppy food, ask your vet for recommendations and buy a small bag to make sure your puppy tolerates it. Then:
- Use puzzle feeders or slow feeders to prevent gulping and provide mental stimulation.
- Try freezing kibble in water or broth for cooling enrichment.
- Set a feeding schedule and stick to it. Most puppies eat 3x a day.
- Keep feeding times calm and predictable.
- Feed your puppy in a quiet spot, especially if you have other pets or kids, to avoid resource guarding.
Always supervise mealtimes, and ask kids to give the puppy space while eating.
Puppy Toys and Teething
Toys & Teething Relief
Chewing is a normal and necessary part of puppy development. It helps soothe sore gums and explore the world.
- Offer frozen treats or chew toys designed for teething.
- Freeze kibble or treats in ice cube trays for a quick, soothing snack.
- Stuff and freeze Kongs with soft food or peanut butter.
- Provide puppy safe chew options like Nylabones.
Pro tip: Have these items ready in advance so you can redirect chewing before they get your shoes.
At around 8–9 months, when molars come out, chewing may increase again—this is totally normal.
Physical & Cognitive Stimulation
Puppies need both physical exercise and mental enrichment to stay happy and prevent unwanted behaviours.
- Play interactive games like fetch or tug.
- Keep training sessions short, fun, and frequent.
- Use enrichment toys, that challenge them, like snuffle mats and food puzzles.
- Consider breed traits, herding, retrieving, or scent work instincts can guide play and training.
A mentally fulfilled, physically tired puppy is far less likely to get into trouble.
Scheduling
Structure & Routine: Your Puppy’s Daily Schedule
Like kids, puppies thrive on routine. Structure your day around:
- Potty breaks
- Meals
- Training time
- Play and rest
- Alone time
While it’s tempting to spend every moment with your new puppy, gradually teaching independence helps prevent separation-related issues later on.
In Summary: Be puppy prepared!
Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but preparation makes all the difference. Set up your home, establish routines, focus on reward-based training, and give your puppy the tools they need to succeed.
We offer puppy training in Mission, Abbotsford and Albion, BC.
Disclaimer:
Unless otherwise noted through links or direct quotes, the information in this article is based on my firsthand experience working with dogs—my own, my clients’, and the many shelter dogs I’ve had the privilege of training. It also reflects my professional education, ongoing studies, the numerous dog training webinars I’ve attended, podcasts I follow, and the wide range of books I’ve read on dog behaviour and positive reinforcement dog training.