Start with a consistent routine for feeding, potty breaks, play, training, and sleep
Choose a small set of basic commands: sit, stay (short), come (recall), down (optional), leave it
Use positive reinforcement only: treats, praise, and brief play as rewards
Keep training sessions short: 3–5 minutes, several times per day
Set up management to prevent mistakes: use a leash indoors, baby gates, or a playpen
House-train with a regular schedule: after waking, after meals, after naps, after play, and before bedtime
Take the puppy to the same potty spot every time
Use a cue for potty (e.g., “go potty”) and reward immediately after elimination
Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent
Prevent chewing and biting on people with redirection to appropriate chew toys
Teach bite inhibition by staying calm, stopping play briefly, and offering a toy when mouthing occurs
Reward calm behavior frequently, especially when the puppy is quiet and relaxed
Teach leash manners gradually: short sessions, reward for walking near you
Practice “sit” for greetings, before meals, and before going through doors
Teach “stay” in tiny steps: start with 1–2 seconds, then increase gradually
Teach “come” with high-value rewards in low-distraction areas before using it outdoors
Practice recall only in safe, controlled settings until it’s reliable
Teach “leave it” using a treat in your closed hand, then progress to the floor and mild distractions
Reward checking in: treat when the puppy looks at you or follows you willingly
Expose to common sights and sounds gradually using treats for calm responses
Socialize safely with vaccinated, friendly dogs and people; avoid overwhelming situations
Introduce car rides, grooming handling, and collar/leash handling early
Brush teeth and handle paws gently to build comfort
Use crate training for safety and downtime: make it positive and never as punishment
Feed in the crate and reward for entering; keep sessions short at first
Follow a crate schedule to support potty training and prevent accidents
Crate only as long as the puppy can reasonably hold it (avoid long stretches for young puppies)
Provide enough exercise for age and breed: short walks, play, and training games
Use mental enrichment: food puzzles, sniffing games, and short pattern training
Avoid punishment-based methods, yelling, or physical corrections
Do not practice commands when the puppy is overly tired, overly hungry, or overexcited
Track progress daily: note what triggers mistakes and adjust the environment and schedule
Set boundaries consistently: no free-roaming until house-trained and reliably supervised
Gradually increase difficulty: distance, duration, distractions, and duration of cues
Consider a puppy socialization class and/or a certified trainer for personalized guidance
Watch for signs of stress or fear (cowering, backing away, trembling) and slow down exposure
Provide veterinary check-ins and follow vaccination timelines before higher-risk social activities