Puppy Training

Congratulations on welcoming a puppy into your family!

This is a very exciting time for you and your puppy, but also an important learning period in your puppy’s life. The critical socialization window is between 8-16 weeks of age. Positive interactions and exposure to lots of people, places, friendly dogs, and different environments can set your puppy up for success later in life as a confident, friendly, and resilient dog. By rewarding behavior you like and redirecting behavior you don’t from the very beginning, you can prevent problems later on, not to mention form a strong bond with your new puppy. Training at home needs to begin the first day your puppy arrives home and they can start puppy classes 10 days after they’ve been in your home/after their first veterinary visit! The sooner your puppy is taught correct behavior and manners, the easier it will be for you and your family, as well as your dog. Puppies aren’t born knowing right from wrong but they do want to please you! Never use punishment when training your puppy! Your puppy will know you’re mad but not why which will leave them confused and anxious and can’t even make problem behaviors worse!

Some of the basics of raising & training your puppy are covered on the following pages: