How to Train a Puppy

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This article was co-written by Brian Bourquin, DVM. Brian Bourquin is a veterinarian and owner of the Boston Veterinary Clinic, a veterinary and pet care clinic with two campuses in the South End/Bay Village and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in basic veterinary medicine, health care and preventive care, critical and emergency care, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. This clinic also offers specialty services in behavior modification, nutrition, acupuncture pain therapy, and laser therapies. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital (American Association of Veterinary Hospitals). Brian has over 19 years of experience in the veterinary industry and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University.

There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

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Puppies need training to do many things to be a good dog. This depends on you teaching them to play obediently, go to the toilet in the right place in the yard, and let you take them away. It may take a few months to focus on teaching your puppy how to do these things. Use gentle but firm training to guide your puppy through the exercises it needs to learn, and before you know it, the puppy has grown into an adult, obedient dog with an important role in the family. your family.

Table of Contents

Training puppies at home

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Create a routine for your puppy. To start training your puppy at home, build a routine for them to learn from. Puppies need to learn a consistent routine of when and where they are allowed to go to the bathroom. It is important that you teach your puppy to go outside to clean when the need arises as soon as you bring them home. Plan to take your puppy out to the bathroom on a daily schedule: first thing in the morning, after eating, after playing, and right before bed. ^{[1] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Puppies need to be taken out to deal with their grief once every hour, as well as right after eating, sleeping, and playing. Regularly let your puppy go to the bathroom when he first wakes up in the morning and before you and them go to bed at night, and before you leave them alone for longer.
Feed your puppy at the same time every day, so you can figure out when they want to go to the bathroom.
Newborn puppies usually go to the bathroom once an hour. ^{[2] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source} That means you or a family member needs to be present to take them to the toilet regularly.
If you cannot train your puppy at home during the day, you need to hire someone to do it professionally. If you don’t do it soon, it will take a long time for your dog to learn not to go out.

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Get your puppy’s attention when they try to defecate in the house. If you spot them getting ready to go home, don’t overreact such as shouting or scaring them. Interrupt their actions by clapping your hands. Then take them away or take them with you to their restroom. After the puppy is done using the toilet, reward and encourage them. ^{[3] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

If you see your puppy making a mess behind the sofa or elsewhere in the house, it’s too late to punish them. Don’t stick their noses there; this just confuses and scares them, not understanding what you are trying to teach them.

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Limit the puppy’s space in the house while training. During the first few months, you need to keep a close eye on the puppy so that you can take them out to deal with their sadness when the need arises. If you leave them too free in the house in the first place, they will learn to defecate wherever they want, and you can’t always know that at the right time. ^{[4] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

Use baby gates to limit the space of your puppy in the house. For example, you can use a door stop at the bottom of the stairs to prevent puppies from wandering upstairs or block the door to prevent them from moving between rooms. Give puppies more freedom as they gain control over their ability to defecate. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Try walking your puppy as they explore the new room. They will hardly cause trouble when you take them away.

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Choose a place outside the house for the puppy to go to the toilet. This will help them learn not to mess around the house. They will have a need to go there to clean or over time they will learn to wait until you take them there instead of going to the toilet in the house. ^{[6] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

Use words to help your puppy get used to the potty. Say “poop/pee” or “poop/pee” when taking them there. Don’t use this word anywhere other than the restroom.
Many people choose a far corner of the yard or a fenced place to make a dog toilet. If you don’t have a yard, choose a spot near your house or apartment. In short, anywhere is fine as long as you still take the dog to the toilet every time.
Letting your dog go to the bathroom in one place can associate the smell of waste with defecation. This distinctive smell often makes it easier for a puppy to walk.
Remember that some puppies will go to the bathroom as soon as you take them outside, while others may need to run around for a while.

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Praise the puppy when he completes the task. When your puppy goes to the toilet in the right place, praise, pet, and reward them. Doing so will help the puppy understand it’s the right behavior and should keep doing it. ^{[7] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source} Your promise of a reward will encourage the puppy to do the same thing again.

Reward the puppy immediately after going to the toilet or still at the toilet. If you procrastinate, they will associate the compliment with something else.
Wait until the puppy is done going to the toilet. If you compliment them when they just start going to the bathroom, they may get confused.

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Clean up waste sites immediately. Once your dog misses out on the house, it’s important to move them out right away. This will keep the dog from going out of the house. ^{[8] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Use an enzyme-based cleaner instead of an ammonia-based cleaner to clean up puppy litter sites as soon as they leave. Ammonia-based cleaners have a urine-like odor that pups mistake for their own urine. If the smell is similar to urine, the puppy may want to go to the bathroom there again. ^{[9] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Consider using a crate to train puppies. A crate can be used for toilet training because dogs don’t like to mess around with their home. A crate can be a safe place for your dog to rest during the day if tired, or a place where they can feel safe when you’re not at home. ^{[10] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Make sure the crate is large enough for the puppy to stand comfortably. If the cage is too big, they may choose a corner as a place to go to the toilet.
Remember not to use the cage as a punishment. Take your dog outside often to run around or go to the bathroom.

Teach your puppy to be obedient

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Let the puppy play with other puppies. Puppies can learn to socialize by playing with other dogs. Young puppies not knowing their teeth can hurt other dogs. They can learn by playing together; When a dog bites another dog too hard, that dog will squeal and stop playing. In this way, the puppy learns to control the degree of biting. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Do not encourage your puppy to bite you. Play with dogs the way they play with each other; Tick and wrestle with the puppies until they start to bite your hand. When they bite your hand, squeal the same way other puppies do. Let go of your hands and stop playing. Your dog will learn that when they bite, they will go unnoticed.

Puppies may try to compensate for biting you by rubbing their muzzles and licking your hands. Praise them in a loving voice, reward them and keep playing. Puppies will learn that good play is rewarded. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Never spank a puppy as punishment. Using physical punishment on puppies only makes them afraid of you.

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Give your dog a toy to chew on. Puppies love to use their teeth and you have taught them not to bite. So give them toys that are safe to chew on while playing.

When the puppy begins to bite lightly on your hand, insert a gnawing toy into their mouth. This will teach them to chew on the toy instead of your hand.
Do the same if the puppy bites lightly on the heel or ankle while you are walking. Stop and give them toys to nibble on. If you don’t bring a toy, stop. When your puppy plays well, praise them. ^{[13] X Research Source}
If your puppy gnaws on your stuff, distract it and replace it with their toy.

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Penalties apply. If your puppy is having trouble learning not to bite, you need to have a punishment area where you take them out and if they don’t play well, they won’t be allowed to play anymore. Choose a corner of the room where the puppies can play and take them to that corner as soon as they bite.

Don’t use the dog crate as a punishment. Puppies will not associate being put in a crate with punishment.
After the puppy is stopped playing for a few minutes, bring them back to play with the family. Reward them if they play well. If the puppy bites again, cry out and lead them back to the spot. They will learn not to bite.

Pippa Elliott, MRVCS

Veterinarian at Royal Cplege of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.

Pippa Elliott, MRVCS
Veterinarian at Royal Cplege of Veterinary Surgeons

Pippa Elliott, licensed veterinarian, says: “The ‘Look’ command is a powerful tool to help calm hyperactive pets or distract them from something they shouldn’t be chasing. . You just need to bring the snack close to their nose and gradually pull it towards your forehead and still draw the puppy’s attention to the treat.”

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Teach your puppy to play well with children. Children often move quickly, make shrill noises, and are about the same height as puppies. Both can have a lot of fun together but need to be taught to play appropriately. If your puppy is rough with your child, take them out immediately. You also need to make sure your child knows how to play nicely.

Always keep an eye on your child when around the puppy. Make sure your child knows puppies are vulnerable and teach them what to do if the puppy bites or plays rough. ^{[14] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Teach your puppy to sit, lie down, and approach

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Start by teaching puppies their names. To train puppies effectively, make sure they know their names. Read their names clearly. When they look at you, reward them. Keep doing this until they know to look at you when you call your name. Now use the puppy’s name before giving other commands.

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Teach your puppy to sit. This is one of the easiest behaviors to teach, most puppies can learn. The trick is to get your puppy to associate the act of sitting on the floor with the sound of you saying “sit”. Tell the puppy to “sit” in a clear, assertive but friendly voice. When the puppy sits, reward them. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Regular practice. Practice sitting indoors, out in the yard, or wherever you take your puppy. Bring your rewards with you so you can start training at any time.
Gradually reduce the number of rewards until the puppy can sit on command without the reward.

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Teach the puppy to lie down. Now that the puppies can sit, teach them to lie down. The process is a bit more complicated, using the same command and reward system. Tell the dog to sit down and when they do, say “lay down” and wait a few seconds. When the puppy moves, tell the puppy to “sit,” then repeat again. When the puppy performs successfully, reward and praise them.

After the puppy learns to lie down for 10 seconds, move away. If the puppy follows you, turn around and remind them to “sit down”. Tell the puppy to lie down and you go away again. Remember to reward them for doing it right.
Some puppies respond well to the command to “lay down” with their hands. Raise your hand each time you say “lay down”. Gradually the puppy can lie down without hearing your commands.

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Teach the puppy to come close. This is easiest to do when collaborating with another person. Have someone carry the puppy to the other end of the room or yard. Look at the puppies and name them. When the puppy looks at you, say “come over” in a clear voice and let the friend release the puppy. Call the puppy’s name again if they don’t seem to know what to do. When the puppy walks towards you, reward them with praise and treats. Repeat this process until the puppy understands that “come over” means they have to run towards you. ^{[16] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Clap your hands, smile, and enjoy when the puppy does the command to come near you. Teach them to be close to you is the best they can do.
Practice the “come here” command often in a variety of situations. It’s important that puppies know to approach when you call so they don’t get lost or hurt in dangerous situations.

Teach your puppy to let you walk

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Let the puppy play until tired before taking it away. Puppies often pull the leash because they have excess energy and look forward to going outside. If possible, tire the puppy out by playing with them before using the leash for the day. ^{[17] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Try throwing a ball with your puppy for 10 minutes before using the leash.

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Teach your puppy to stay still when you put the leash around his neck. Puppies often get agitated when it’s time to go outside to play, jumping on their owners and barking before going outside. This problem can last for years if you don’t deal with it when the dog is young.

If the puppy barks and jumps on you when you take the leash, wait for them to calm down completely before putting the leash around their neck. Do this several times until the puppy learns to behave or it won’t be allowed to go outside. ^{[18] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Use the green and red light method. Take the puppy outside. When they run forward and pull the rope, stop. Wait for them to turn their heads and say “come over.” When the puppy comes to your side, give the command “sit down”. Reward them with food and keep going. Repeat this process until the puppy learns to walk beside you instead of pulling on the leash. ^{[19] X Research Source}

When your puppy walks beside you, reward them often so they understand where you want them to go.
Continue using this method for a few weeks. It may take some time before your dog understands that they must not drag you down the street.

Grasp the basics of puppy training

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Identify suggested words when training and remember these words. Make sure all family members use those words when training the puppy. If you use different words from everyone in the house, the puppy may get confused and learn longer. ^{[20] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

For example, teach your dog to sit down. Tell people to use the word “sit”. Don’t change orders. In other words, don’t say “sit down” or “lay down” to tell the puppy to sit. Use only one word for “sit,” or your dog will be confused.

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Apply this rule in all cases. Make sure you follow the rules you set out in all cases. Do not half-apply or change under certain circumstances. ^{[21] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

For example, if you don’t want your puppy to jump on your furniture, apply this rule at all times. If you don’t let them jump on furniture during the week but allow them to sit on the sofa on the weekends, the puppy will sit on the couch more often.

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Motivate the puppy. Training is successful when the right actions are rewarded. You can reward your puppy with delicious treats, play with their favorite toys, or pay attention and praise them. Find out what makes the puppy happiest and use that as a reward when they obey. ^{[22] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

Reward your puppy immediately. It is important that you reward the puppy as soon as they follow your commands.
Gradually you should reduce the number of rewards until the puppy will not be rewarded for each action. This will teach the puppy to be more active because getting a reward every time is not a matter of course. Otherwise, they will become lazy. Start reducing the number of rewards as the puppy performs the commanded action frequently.

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Use a clicker (a device that clicks when pressed). Clickers are an effective way to reinforce good behavior in puppies and let them know that they will be rewarded. It’s important to reward puppies for good behavior soon after they do, but that’s not always the case. Therefore, using clickers during training sessions will help you reinforce good behavior in your puppy even when you don’t have food available to reward them. ^{[23] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

Start teaching your puppy to associate the sound of the clicker with the reward.

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Understand that punishment is not an effective training method. Yelling at a puppy or using punishment is not a good way to change a puppy’s behavior. They won’t understand why they’re being punished and that can lead to worse behavior. ^{[24] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

For example, if your puppy pees on the floor, don’t scold them. If you do, they’ll just think you’re angry because they’re messing around instead of understanding that they’re going to the toilet in the wrong place.
Instead of yelling at your puppy if you catch them going to the bathroom in the house, clap your hands to get the puppy’s attention and stop. Then, take them to the designated restroom and wait for them to settle their sadness.

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Do short but frequent training sessions. Puppies cannot concentrate for long, so training sessions should be short. You should limit your puppy’s training session to about 5 – 10 minutes. Try to do 2-3 training sessions a day to reinforce the behavior you want your puppy to learn. ^{[25] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

Make sure you use regular activities as opportunities to train the puppy. For example, you can ask your puppy to sit before putting down their food, or praise them for going to the right place in the yard.

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Choose ‘good’ and ‘bad’ dog names: Make sure your dog associates their names with good things. As such, they will respond to your requests more often. If your dog associates their name with something bad (like being yelled at) they’ll be reluctant to approach you when called out. Using a proper name when your dog is naughty will help you avoid teaching your puppy to have negative associations with the ‘good’ name. ^{[26] X Research Source Mattinson, P, (2014), <i>The Happy Puppy Handbook</i>, ISBN 978-0091957261}

Use your dog’s common name when they’re good, but use a different name when they’re naughty. For example, if your dog’s name is Charlie, call Charlie when they’re good. If they’re bad, call them Chuckie.

Advice

Maintain consistent rules and limits under all circumstances. If puppies are not allowed on the sofa, that means they will never be on the sofa. Express what you mean, motivate the puppy to follow commands (food, rewards), be firm and fair. Your puppy will feel confident and know exactly what to expect from you.
Use tone of voice to let your puppy know how you feel. Use a low voice when you want the puppy to stop, an assertive voice when training or giving commands.
Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t listen the first few times (maybe more).

Warning

Do not be violent with your dog. Beware of trainers who advise you to hit or yell at your dog.
Do not let children play with dogs unattended.

Steps