Setting a Strong Foundation for Your Puppy's Future Success

K9 Services Unlimited · June 18, 2025

A new puppy is a lot of joy and a lot of work. The habits you build in the first weeks and months become the dog you live with for the next decade, so it pays to start on the right foot.

Start training on day one

Puppies are learning from the moment they come home, whether you are teaching or not. The only choice is whether they learn the habits you want or the ones you don't. Jumping, mouthing and counter surfing are all taught by accident when they work.

The essentials

• Potty training. Take your puppy out after waking, eating, playing and every hour or two, and reward right away outside. Mistakes inside usually mean your supervision slipped, not that your puppy is stubborn.
• Crate training. A crate gives your puppy a safe place to rest and helps with housebreaking and travel. Make it a happy place with meals, chews and short, calm stays.
• Name and attention. Teach your puppy that looking at you pays off.
• Basic commands. Sit, down, come, place and leash manners are the base for everything else.
• Bite inhibition. Puppies explore with their mouths. Redirect to a toy and teach them gently that teeth on skin ends the fun.
• Calm. Teach your puppy to settle. A puppy that's always excited is not a happy puppy, just an overtired one.

Keep sessions short and positive

Puppies have short attention spans. Several 5-minute sessions a day beat one long one. End on a win, keep rewards exciting and keep your own mood light.

Set the rules before you need them

It's much easier to teach a good habit than to undo a bad one. Decide early where your puppy sleeps, where it can go and what is off limits, and stay consistent. The cute behavior at 10 pounds is much less cute at 70.

Where a professional helps

A trainer can save you months of frustration by showing you the right way to start, spotting problems early and giving you a plan that fits your puppy and your lifestyle. Our puppy training programs cover manners, house training and socialization, and our board and train programs are available when you'd like us to jump-start the process. Contact us to find the right fit.