There’s nothing like a new puppy—those tiny paws, sweet puppy breath, and soulful eyes… along with midnight potty breaks, chewed shoes, and surprise puddles at 6 AM. Welcome to puppy parenthood!
When I brought Mocha home, I was equally thrilled and terrified. That little ball of energy taught me that reading about training and actually doing it are worlds apart. We made it through, and I’m sharing all our triumphs, tears, and treat-based negotiations.
First Days Home: Setting Up For Success
Before Puppy Arrives
Prepare your home:
- Puppy-proof everything! Get down on all fours and look for hazards from a puppy’s perspective
- Set up a crate with comfy bedding in a quiet corner
- Have supplies ready: food, treats, toys, leash, collar, poop bags
- Designate a potty area outside
- Pick up a baby gate or two for limiting access to certain areas
The Homecoming Day Schedule:
- Arrive home during daylight hours if possible
- Take puppy directly to the potty area before entering your home
- Let them explore their main living area (keep it limited at first)
- Show them their crate, water bowl, and toys
- Keep the first day calm and quiet – no visitor parades!
The First Week: Establishing Routines
General Schedule
6:00 AM: Wake up, immediate potty break, brief play time, breakfast
7:00–9:00 AM: Supervised exploration, short training session, potty breaks every 30–45 minutes
9:00–11:00 AM: Nap time in crate
11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Potty break, lunch, play time, training session
1:00–3:00 PM: Afternoon nap
3:00–5:00 PM: Potty break, play time, training session
5:00–7:00 PM: Dinner, play time, potty breaks
7:00–9:00 PM: Wind-down time, final play session
9:00 PM: Last potty break, bedtime in crate
Remember: Young puppies need potty breaks every 1-2 hours, including overnight for the first few weeks. Their bladder control increases by about one hour per month of age.
Potty Training: The Foundation of Everything
Let me be real with you – potty training requires the patience of a saint and the detective skills of Sherlock Holmes. You’ll become an expert at spotting the “I need to go” dance (circling, sniffing, sudden intensity).
The Basic Approach:
- Take puppy out frequently: after meals, naps, play sessions
- Create a potty command (“go potty” or whatever works for you)
- Praise and treat IMMEDIATELY after they go outside
- Never punish accidents – clean them thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner
- If you catch them in the act inside, calmly interrupt and take outside
Crate Training: Their Safe Haven
Many people feel guilty about crate training, but most dogs actually love having their own safe space. The trick is making it a positive experience from day one.
Making the Crate Magical:
- Feed meals in the crate
- Give special “crate-only” toys and treats
- Practice short periods with the door closed while you’re home
- Never use it as punishment
- Cover it partially with a blanket for a den-like feel
- Start with the crate next to your bed, then gradually move it
Pro tip: If nighttime crying happens (and it will), resist the urge to take them out of the crate to comfort them. Instead, place your fingers through the crate door or sleep next to it for the first few nights. Tough love now means better sleep later!
Basic Commands for Puppy Training: Start Early, Keep It Fun
Puppy training sessions should be short (5-10 minutes) but frequent (3-5 times daily). Always end on a positive note with something they can succeed at.
The Essential First Commands:
- Their Name: The foundation of communication
- Sit: The easiest command to start with
- Come: Begin in distraction-free environments
- Down: Great for calming an excited puppy
- Stay: Start with just a few seconds, build gradually
- Leave it: Possibly the most useful command ever
Training Tips:
- Use small, soft treats that they can eat quickly
- Mark the exact moment of the correct behavior with a “yes!” or clicker
- Keep sessions upbeat and game-like
- Practice in progressively more distracting environments
- Be consistent with command words and hand signals
Socialization: Your 12-Week Window
8-20 weeks is a CRITICAL period for socialization. Exposure to people, animals, surroundings, sounds, and experiences in a positive way must be done during this puppy training time.
Socialization Checklist:
- Different types of people (men, women, children, people with beards, people wearing hats, etc.)
- Various surfaces (grass, concrete, wood floors, carpet, gravel)
- Gentle handling of paws, ears, mouth, tail
- Car rides
- Common sounds (vacuum, doorbell, traffic)
- Other well-vaccinated dogs (once your vet approves)
- Different environments (park, pet store, friend’s home)
Caution: Balance socialization with health safety. Before full vaccination, carry your puppy in public or visit homes with vaccinated dogs only.
Biting and Chewing: Saving Your Hands (and Furniture)
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and those tiny teeth are SHARP. This phase will pass, but you need strategies to manage it-like offering safe, engaging chew options from our DIY dog toys guide.
Managing the Shark Phase:
- Redirect to appropriate toys when teeth touch skin
- Use a stern “ouch!” and briefly stop play when bitten
- Provide plenty of appropriate chewing outlets
- Rotate toys to keep interest high
- Frozen wet washcloths can soothe teething pain
- Consider puzzle toys that dispense treats
The Best Chew Toys:
- Rubber toys like Kongs (fill with frozen peanut butter for longer engagement)
- Nylabone-type chews for heavy chewers
- Rope toys (supervised play only)
- Appropriately sized bully sticks (with supervision)
Leash Training: The Path to Pleasant Walks
Many people assume puppies naturally know how to walk on a leash. They don’t. Expect your first walks to look more like a drunken dance than a straight path.
Leash Introduction:
- Let puppy wear collar/harness for short periods indoors first
- Attach leash and let them drag it (supervised) to get used to the feeling
- Hold leash loosely indoors, following puppy around
- Practice in your yard before hitting sidewalks
- Use high-value treats to reward walking beside you
- Stop walking when pulling occurs, resume when leash is slack
Schedule Progression:
- Weeks 8-12: Short 5-10 minute walks, focusing on positive experiences
- Weeks 12-16: 15-20 minute walks, beginning to work on loose leash skills
- Weeks 16+: Gradually increase duration based on breed energy levels
The Puppy Training Schedule That Saved My Sanity
As Mocha grew, our schedule evolved, but having a consistent framework helped tremendously. Here’s what worked for us:
Puppy Schedule (4–6 Months)
6:30 AM: Wake up, immediate potty break
6:45 AM: Breakfast in puzzle toy, training session
7:15 AM: Potty break
7:30–9:00 AM: Playtime, exercise
9:00 AM: Potty break, crate time with chew toy
11:30 AM: Potty break, short training session
12:00 PM: Lunch in puzzle toy
12:30 PM: Potty break, short walk
1:00–3:00 PM: Naptime in crate
3:00 PM: Potty break, play session
4:00 PM: Training session, mental stimulation games
5:00 PM: Potty break
5:30 PM: Dinner in puzzle toy
6:00 PM: Potty break, longer walk
7:00–9:00 PM: Family time, supervised free time
9:00 PM: Last potty break
9:15 PM: Bedtime in crate
Key Insights:
- Puppies thrive on predictability
- Aim for a balance of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and rest
- Adjust based on your puppy’s energy level and needs
- Weekend schedules can be more flexible once routines are established
Common Puppy Training Challenges
Problem: Separation Anxiety
- Begin with very short absences (seconds, then minutes)
- Don’t make a big deal about departures or arrivals
- Leave comfort items with your scent
- Use a camera to monitor progress
- Consider calming music or TV
Problem: Jumping on People
- Teach an incompatible behavior (sitting for greetings)
- Turn away when jumping occurs
- Only give attention when all four paws are on the floor
- Have visitors help enforce the rules
Problem: Barking
- Identify triggers and work on desensitization
- Teach a “quiet” command paired with a “speak” command
- Ensure adequate exercise and mental stimulation
- Ignore attention-seeking barking
When to Consider Professional Help
DIY dog training is great, but some situations benefit from professional guidance:
- Persistent house puppy training issues beyond 6 months
- Signs of fear or aggression
- Separation anxiety that isn’t improving
- Destructive behaviors that worsen despite management
- Any behavior that puts the dog or others at risk
Final Thoughts: The Journey Is Worth It
You’ll have days wondering what you’ve gotten into—cleaning multiple accidents before breakfast or finding your favorite shoes in shreds. But trust me, the bond you’re building is worth every frustrating moment.
Six months in, Mocha and I cuddled after a great training session when she placed her paw on my hand with those soulful eyes. I knew then all the early mornings and patient repetitions had created something beautiful—a relationship built on communication, trust, and understanding.
Your puppy is learning more than simply commands; they’re learning to be your partner.
