Essential Puppy Training and Behaviour Advice: A Practical Guide for New Dog Owners
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting and memorable chapter in life. Along with the fun and companionship comes a responsibility to guide your puppy through their formative months with care, structure and plenty of positive experiences.
In this article, I will walk you through the key areas every new dog owner should consider to help raise a well-mannered and confident puppy.
Socialising Your Puppy
Socialisation is, without doubt, the single most important area for you to focus on during your puppy’s early weeks and months. I say this with real conviction, as time and again in my day-to-day dog behaviour consultations, I see adult dogs whose current behavioural issues can be traced directly back to poor or inadequate socialisation during this crucial period.
When a puppy misses out on experiencing a wide range of people, dogs, environments, sounds and situations between 8 and 16 weeks of age, the long-term effects can be significant. We often see fearfulness, reactivity and general instability in adulthood, all stemming from this window of time when the dog was at their most receptive to learning.
Socialisation is not simply about letting your puppy meet as many dogs as possible. It’s about creating positive, carefully managed encounters with people of all ages, other animals, different surfaces, noises, and experiences like car journeys, town visits and handling exercises.
Taking the time to create a proper socialisation plan is one of the best investments you can make in your puppy’s future behaviour. Done well, it builds a dog that feels relaxed and adaptable in a wide range of situations for life.
Toilet Training Your Puppy
Toilet training can be one of the more stressful parts of early puppy ownership, but with a clear and consistent approach, it does not need to be.
Many owners understandably assume that if they leave the back door open, their puppy will instinctively choose to toilet outside. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Puppies are opportunistic and will often choose the nearest quiet corner, which could just as easily be behind the sofa or under the dining table.
The key to successful toilet training lies in supervision, timing and reward. Take your puppy outside regularly, especially after waking, eating, drinking or play sessions. Stay with them and reward with calm praise and perhaps a small treat when they go in the right spot.
Accidents indoors are a normal part of the process, especially in the first few weeks. Never punish your puppy for these slip-ups. Instead, clean up thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent markers and stay consistent with your outdoor routine.
Establishing clear toilet habits early on is far less stressful than trying to break ingrained indoor toileting patterns later.
Crate Training Your Puppy
Crate training is a topic I always recommend owners consider from day one. Done properly, a crate becomes a safe, positive space that your puppy will actively choose to relax in.
A crate can be invaluable during toilet training, as it taps into your puppy’s natural instinct not to soil their sleeping area. At night, it provides a secure, comfortable sleeping place, helping puppies settle and reducing separation-related anxiety when left alone for short periods.
During the day, it offers a secure space for rest, especially when you need to focus on other tasks without having to supervise your puppy closely.
The introduction to the crate should always be positive and gradual. Feed your puppy inside the crate, provide chews and treats, and allow them to explore it freely with the door open at first.
With time, your puppy will naturally see the crate as their den, making it easier to prevent destructive behaviour and giving them a space to unwind when life feels overwhelming.
Basic Puppy Obedience Training
Early obedience training sets the tone for the kind of relationship you will enjoy with your dog throughout their life. Starting from around eight weeks of age, puppies are capable of learning simple commands like Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, Wait and Recall.
The aim at this stage is not perfection but gentle introduction and positive association. Short, frequent training sessions with plenty of encouragement and rewards help keep your puppy engaged.
Remember to keep the training environment low in distractions at first. As your puppy grows in confidence, you can gradually increase three key variables:
Distance – How far away you are when giving the command
Duration – How long your puppy maintains the behaviour
Distraction – What else is happening in the environment at the time
By managing these elements, you lay the foundation for good behaviour both at home and out and about.
The Puppy Recall
A solid recall is, without exaggeration, one of the most important behaviours you can teach your dog. It is your safety net when you’re out on walks, allowing your dog freedom to explore while ensuring you remain in control.
Start recall training in the garden or a quiet field using a long training line for safety. Use enthusiastic voice tones, movement (running away works wonders) and high-value treats to make coming back to you the best option available.
In the early months, recall is more about creating enthusiasm and positivity rather than strict obedience. As your puppy grows, you can gradually introduce more challenging environments.
Building a reliable recall takes time and consistency, but it is an effort well worth making.
Puppy Biting and Chewing
Puppy biting is one of the most common challenges new owners face. It’s easy to feel disheartened when your adorable new dog turns into a whirling ball of teeth.
It’s important to understand that biting at this stage is not aggression. Puppies bite to explore their world and to interact in the way they would with their littermates.
That said, allowing biting on human skin or clothing can lead to problems if not addressed. The golden rule is: no teeth on skin or clothing, ever.
You can redirect biting onto appropriate toys, use short time-outs if needed, and encourage calm behaviours through positive reinforcement. Avoid shouting or heavy handling, as this can escalate excitement or create fear.
Preventing Your Puppy from Jumping Up
Jumping up is a natural puppy behaviour, often fuelled by excitement and the desire to reach your face for attention.
The solution lies in teaching your puppy that four paws on the floor brings rewards, while jumping up does not.
Encourage your puppy to sit calmly before receiving attention, food or access to walks. Consistency from everyone in the household is key here, as mixed messages will confuse your dog.
Teaching this skill early prevents it becoming a harder-to-break habit when your dog is fully grown.
Diet and Good Eating Habits
Nutrition plays a significant role in your puppy’s behaviour and development. A poor diet, low-quality ingredients or incorrect portion sizes can affect energy levels, concentration and even mood.
Choosing a diet that meets your puppy’s nutritional needs, based on age, breed and expected adult size, is essential.
Consistent feeding routines also help with toilet training and can prevent resource guarding or fussiness around food later on.
Discussing your puppy’s diet with a vet or qualified behaviourist is always worthwhile, especially if you are unsure about the best feeding approach.
Walking Your Puppy on the Lead
Lead walking is another skill that is best introduced early. Puppies are naturally curious and may pull towards interesting sights and smells.
Begin with short, positive sessions around your home or garden. Reward your puppy for staying close and paying attention to you.
Remember, we are not aiming for strict heelwork, but rather a calm, cooperative walking relationship.
Teaching good lead manners now will prevent frustration and physical strain for you later on, especially if you have a larger breed.
Travelling with Your Puppy
Travel is a part of modern dog ownership, whether it’s short trips to the vet or family holidays further afield.
Start by letting your puppy explore the car while it’s stationary. Allow them to sit in their travel crate or seatbelt harness, and pair the experience with treats and calm praise.
Gradually progress to short journeys, ensuring that your puppy feels secure and that the car environment remains positive.
Early travel experiences will help prevent travel anxiety and sickness later in life.
Additional Puppy Behaviour Topics
While the topics above cover many common areas, other challenges may also arise during your puppy’s development, such as:
Managing excitement around visitors
Teaching bite inhibition
Preventing resource guarding
Early recall and impulse control around distractions
Looking at ways to ensure the avoidance of separation anxiety
Taking a balanced, positive approach to each situation will help your puppy grow into a well-mannered and happy companion.
