A puppy moves in and suddenly everyday life is turned upside down: little puddles on the floor, chewed-up shoes and an awful lot of energy. The good news is that the first few weeks are the best time to lovingly teach your dog the most important basics. With patience, clear rules and positive reinforcement, you're now laying the foundation for a relaxed life together.
The right basic attitude: patience and positive reinforcement
A puppy doesn't learn through punishment, but through repetition and reward. When they show a desired behaviour, reinforce it immediately with a friendly word, a cuddle or a small treat. Whatever pays off gets repeated. Scolding or even physical harshness, on the other hand, unsettles the puppy and destroys the trust you're only just beginning to build. Remember: reward what you want to see, and ignore small mistakes instead of making a big deal of them.
Becoming house-trained: the first big milestone
A young puppy can't yet hold their bladder for long. So take them outside regularly: straight after waking up, after eating, after playing and roughly every two hours. If they relieve themselves outside, praise them generously straight away. If an accident does happen indoors, simply clean up the spot without comment. Scolding achieves nothing, because the puppy doesn't understand the connection. With this routine, most dogs are reliably house-trained after just a few weeks.
The first commands: sit, come and no
Short, clear signals work best. Start with the most important ones:
- Sit: Slowly move a treat over the nose and back until the bottom lowers almost automatically. Reward the moment they sit down.
- Come: Call the name cheerfully, crouch down and reward every arrival enthusiastically. This way, the recall stays positively associated for life.
- No or leave it: A calm, clear signal, followed by an alternative. Instead of chewing on the shoe, the puppy gets something they're allowed to chew.
Keep training sessions short, a few minutes is enough. A puppy has a short attention span, and three brief sessions a day achieve more than one long one.
Bite inhibition and teething
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and during teething their jaw also itches. If the puppy nips you while playing, end the game briefly and consistently. This teaches them that biting too hard ends the game. At the same time, offer them suitable alternatives for chewing, so they can safely satisfy their urge to chew. Natural, soft chews are ideal for this and are also gentle on their newly growing teeth.
Socialisation: the most important phase
Between the eighth and sixteenth week of life, your puppy is particularly open to new experiences. Anything they encounter positively now will later lose its fear factor. Introduce them, in calm doses, to different people, other dogs, cars, vacuum cleaners, different surfaces and sounds. The important thing is that every encounter is friendly and doesn't overwhelm them. A well-socialised puppy grows into a calm, confident dog.
Practising being alone in small steps
So that your dog can later stay home alone calmly, practise this from the start in mini stages. Begin by leaving the room for just a few seconds and return before any unease sets in. Increase the duration very gradually. This teaches the puppy that being alone is normal and that you always come back. A chew can help to bridge the time positively.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start training my puppy?
Straight away, from the moment they move in. Puppies learn from the very first minute, so it's worth starting right away with calm rules and positive reinforcement.
How long should a training session last?
Just a few minutes. Several short sessions spread across the day are much more effective than one long session, during which the puppy loses interest.
My puppy keeps biting, is that normal?
Yes, that's part of their development. End the game briefly if the biting gets too hard, and offer permitted chewing alternatives. Over time, they'll learn proper bite inhibition.
Can I already take my puppy everywhere with me?
During the socialisation phase, this is very valuable, as long as the experiences are positive and not overwhelming. Make sure your puppy has full vaccination cover and gets enough rest breaks.
Suitable products from kauliebe
For training, our single-protein natural treats are ideal for rewarding, and the dry food for puppies makes a good base.
