“Puppies learn fastest when good behaviour is rewarded immediately and consistently.”
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In our last blog we explained how to introduce your new bundle of energy into your life.
This month we’re going to take a look at basic training techniques.
Your puppy wants to please you
Puppies are quick learners and they enjoy learning new things. They want to please you so they are very motivated by positive reinforcement and encouragement, especially food!
Start training your puppy as soon as you get home. It not only teaches them how to behave but builds trust between you both.
It also establishes your leadership and is a lot of fun.
Encourage and reward good behaviour
If you reward behaviours they will become more frequent and consistent. Dogs learn fastest if you reward them within 1-2 seconds after the good behaviour. Good choices for rewards are , a pat, a play or praise.
Training works best when your puppy is hungry. Start with a simple trick, like ‘sit’.
Say your puppy’s name
Ask for a sit, by saying the word ‘sit’
Once you puppy sits, immediately give him a treat and a verbal reward
Once a puppy knows a behaviour, you can change from luring (asking for the trick with a treat in your hand) to prompting (asking for the behaviour without a food reward). Make sure you still reward occasionally so that the behaviour does not disappear.
Ignore your puppy’s bad behaviour
If you pay attention to unwanted behaviours this tends to reinforce rather than stop these behaviours. It is best to ignore (if you can), redirect or distract the puppy to a positive behaviour. If you cannot ignore a behaviour then try to interrupt.
Say the puppy’s name (this is the interruption) and ask him to do the opposite of the bad behaviour, for example, if he is jumping then ask him to sit (this is the redirection). Finally, reward the good behaviour with a treat immediately.
If you can’t redirect the bad behaviour, you can manage the situation by relocating the puppy to another place for a short period of time.
Hitting and yelling at dogs only makes them fearful of humans. If you just say no, without redirecting the puppy to a positive behaviour, you are not giving them enough information to help you pup understand what behaviour you want from them.
Set your puppy up for success
If you set your puppy up for success, you will find it much easier to train him.
Puppies have short attention spans, so frequent but short training sessions are best. At the beginning train for just a few minutes, twice a day.
Puppies are easily distracted by sights, sounds, and smells, so initially train in an environment free of distractions. Then gradually move to a variety of situations and locations.
If you have to leave your puppy home alone, put away tempting things that you don’t want your puppy to chew on. Ensure that he has plenty of food, water, and toys to play with so he does not become destructive due to boredom or fear.
Toilet training your puppy
The most reliable way to toilet train your puppy is to:
- provide frequent opportunities to go outside to the toilet
- restrict access to locations where you don’t want him to go
- Reward appropriate toileting immediately
Puppies can only hold on for short periods of time, so when your pup first comes home take him outside to toilet:
- After sleeping
- After eating
- After playing games or getting excited
- If they start to sniff or go around in circles
- Every hour during the day
As soon as they toilet outside, reward them immediately with a treat and praise.
If your puppy has an accident, just clean up the mess quietly. If you punish the puppy for his accidents, he will think he is in trouble for the act of toileting and will become a ‘sneaky toileter’.
Extra help training your new puppy
Just as your puppy is learning your house rules, you are learning how to be a dog owner. Some dogs learn faster than others. If you need help, a mobile vet can come to your house to assist you to train your puppy in your own environment, setting you both up for success.
Got questions about how to care for your new puppy? Contact us
Key Takeaways
- Start training from day one
Early training builds trust and sets clear expectations for behaviour. - Reward timing is critical
Reinforcing behaviour within seconds helps puppies learn faster. - Ignore or redirect unwanted behaviour
Punishment can create fear, while redirection teaches what to do instead. - Keep training short and consistent
Brief, regular sessions are more effective than long or irregular ones.
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First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
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Amanda Yeates
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start training my new puppy at home?
Training should begin as soon as your puppy arrives home. Early sessions help establish behaviour patterns and build trust. Even short sessions can make a meaningful difference in how quickly your puppy learns.
What is the best way to reward good behaviour in puppies?
Puppies respond well to immediate rewards such as treats, praise or play. The key is timing, with rewards given within one to two seconds of the behaviour. This helps your puppy clearly associate the action with the reward.
How do I stop my puppy from jumping or unwanted behaviour?
Ignoring the behaviour where possible is often effective, as attention can reinforce it. If needed, interrupt the behaviour by calling your puppy’s name and redirecting them to a positive action like sitting. Rewarding the alternative behaviour helps reinforce the right response.
How often should I train my puppy each day?
Puppies have short attention spans, so training should be done in short sessions. A few minutes, twice a day, is a good starting point. As your puppy progresses, you can gradually increase variety rather than duration.
What is the most effective way to toilet train a puppy?
Toilet training relies on frequent opportunities, supervision and immediate rewards. Take your puppy outside regularly, especially after eating, sleeping or playing. Reward them straight away when they toilet in the correct place.
Can a mobile vet help with puppy training at home?
A mobile vet can assist with training in your home environment, where your puppy is most comfortable. This allows behaviour to be assessed in real situations rather than a clinic setting. Guidance can be tailored to your home setup and routine.