Bringing a little puppy home is wonderful, but it can also feel overwhelming. Many new puppy owners feel stressed and sometimes experience \u201cpuppy blues\u201d when their puppy is teething, house training takes longer than expected, and the question arises: What should my puppy actually be able to do? Does it have to be able to sit, lie down, and walk nicely on a leash already in the first month?<\/p>\n
The short answer is: No, absolutely not.<\/p>\n
A puppy\u2019s first six months aren\u2019t about strict obedience training, but about security, bonding, and basic daily routines. In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through your puppy\u2019s development month by month, what you can reasonably expect, and how you can build a secure foundation together.<\/p>\n
A puppy\u2019s early life is often referred to as the socialization period. Everything the puppy experiences as positive and natural during this time lays the foundation for the rest of its life.<\/p>\n
Before you start training your puppy to \u201csit,\u201d \u201clie down,\u201d or \u201cgive a paw,\u201d he needs to settle into his new environment. During the first few weeks, the focus should be on:<\/p>\n
When a puppy first comes home, it\u2019s like a sponge, soaking up everything it sees, but it has a short attention span and gets tired quickly.<\/p>\n
Around 12 weeks of age, the puppy has settled in and is more receptive to training.<\/p>\n
The puppy is getting stronger and more curious about the world around him.<\/p>\n
Hormones are slowly starting to kick in, the puppy is becoming more independent, and is testing its limits.<\/p>\n
A common scenario:<\/strong> You leave your puppy alone for 10 minutes to take out the trash, and when you come back, you find a sad puppy or a chewed-up shoe.<\/p>\n What to do:<\/strong> Take it easy with training. Training on your own should be done in tiny steps when the puppy is already tired and content.<\/p>\n Myth 1: \u201cThe puppy must be able to stay home alone early on\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n Truth:<\/strong> A young puppy (under four months old) should not be left alone for long periods of time. Separation training takes time and must be built up gradually, in seconds and minutes, at the puppy\u2019s own pace.<\/p>\n Myth 2: \u201cThe puppy must learn to greet all dogs\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n Truth:<\/strong> Greeting other dogs while on a leash can easily cause stress and anxiety. It\u2019s usually much better to teach the puppy that you can walk past other dogs calmly and peacefully.<\/p>\n Myth 3: \u201cThe puppy has to learn lots of tricks\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n Truth:<\/strong> Tricks are fun, but they don\u2019t build a secure daily routine. Prioritize bonding, rest, and security first.<\/p>\n Puppy training classes<\/strong> are one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your puppy! The best age to start is usually between 12 weeks and 6 months<\/strong> (after the puppy has received its 12-week vaccination).<\/p>\n Feel free to take a course if:<\/p>\n Raising a puppy is a marathon, not a sprint. Some weeks it feels like everything is going great, and the next week the puppy has forgotten its own name – that\u2019s completely normal!<\/p>\n Here at Devoted Dog<\/strong>, we focus exclusively on reward-based, modern dog training that centers on joy and cooperation.<\/p>\n4 Golden Rules for Puppy Training<\/h2>\n
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3 Common Myths About What a Puppy \u201cShould\u201d Be Able to Do<\/h2>\n
When is the right time to start puppy training classes?<\/h2>\n
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Do you want to give your puppy the best start in life?<\/h2>\n
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