Puppy Training

Crate/toilet training

Crate training is a fantastic method for toilet training a puppy when done correctly—it helps establish a routine, teaches bladder control, and provides a safe space for your puppy. Here's a step-by-step guide to toilet training your puppy using a crate:

Step 1: Choose the Right Crate

  • Size matters: The crate should be large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down, once fully grown.
  • You can use a crate with a divider and adjust the space as your puppy grows.

Step 2: Make the Crate a Positive Space

  • Place soft bedding, a safe toy, and treats inside.
  • Feed meals near or inside the crate.
  • Put the crate near where the family spends most of their time.
  • Sit beside the crate and chat and play with them through the bars. 
  • Never use the crate as punishment.

Step 3: Set a Potty Schedule

Puppies have tiny bladders. A good rule of thumb:

  • Puppy age in months + 1 = max hours they can hold it
    (e.g., a 2-month-old = ~3 hours max during the day)
  • Take your puppy out:
    • First thing in the morning
    • After naps
    • After meals or drinking
    • After playtime
    • Before bedtime
    • Every 1–2 hours in the beginning

Step 4: Take Them to the Same Spot

  • Choose one potty area outside.
  • Use a consistent cue like "go potty" or “wees please” or “toilet”, repeating the command as they go.
  • Praise or treat immediately after they go.

Step 5: Crate When You Can't Supervise

  • Place your puppy in the crate if you're unable to watch them.
  • Puppies naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area—but they can if left too long.
  • Keep crate time short and positive—gradually increase as they get used to it. Take them out to potty as spoon as they wake up.

Step 6: Handle Accidents Calmly

  • Never punish your puppy for accidents.
  • Clean up with an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent.
  • Reflect on what happened: Did you miss a cue? Wait too long?

Step 7: Gradually Give More Freedom

  • As your puppy earns your trust, give them short periods of supervised freedom indoors.
  • Watch for signs they need to go (sniffing, circling, whining, suddenly running off).

📝 Tips & Troubleshooting

  • Nighttime: Keep the crate near you so you can hear if your pup wakes up. Young puppies may need 1–2 potty breaks overnight.
  • Feeding schedule: A consistent feeding routine leads to more predictable potty times. Restrict water and food a few hours before bed.

Use a journal: Track potty times, accidents, meals, and sleep to find patterns.

Stay

Teaching your puppy to stay is super useful—it helps them develop impulse control and keeps them safe in lots of real-life situations (like near a road or during vet visits). Here's a step-by-step guide to get your pup solid on the "stay" command:

Step 1: Choose Your Cue Words

  • Use a release word (e.g., “Okay!” or “Free!”) and a stay cue (e.g., “Stay”).
  • The cue tells your puppy to freeze; the release tells them when they’re allowed to move again.

Step 2: Start in a Calm, Distraction-Free Environment

  1. Have your puppy sit or lie down in front of you.
  2. Show your palm like a “stop” sign and say “Stay.”
  3. Wait 1–2 seconds, then say “Okay!” and reward them.
  4. Repeat a few times until they understand that “stay” means don’t move until released.

💡 Important: Always release before they break the stay themselves.

Step 3: Gradually Increase Duration

  • Slowly build the time your pup holds the stay—go from 2 seconds to 5, then 10, etc.
  • Keep sessions short and end on success.
  • If they break the stay, just reset calmly—no punishment.

Step 4: Add Distance (One Step at a Time)

  1. Ask for a stay.
  2. Take one step back, then return and release: “Okay!”
  3. Reward and praise.
  4. Gradually increase the number of steps.

✅ Only increase distance if they consistently hold the stay at the previous level.

Step 5: Add Distractions

  • Once they can stay with distance, add light distractions like toys nearby or a family member walking past.
  • Start easy and slowly increase the challenge.
  • Always reward success generously!

Step 6: Practice in Real-Life Situations

  • Try practicing at the front door, in the yard, or during walks.
  • Use a leash to prevent sudden escapes if needed.
  • Keep rewarding the calm, steady stay with treats and praise.

Recap: The 3 D’s of "Stay"

To make "stay" bulletproof, practice with:

  • Duration – how long they stay
  • Distance – how far you move away
  • Distractions – what’s going on around them

Only increase one D at a time!

Biting

Teaching your puppy not to bite is a crucial part of early training—it sets the stage for good manners and safe play. Biting is totally normal for puppies, especially during teething, but with consistency, you can teach them what’s okay and what’s not.

Step 1: Understand Why Puppies Bite

  • Teething discomfort (usually between 8–16 weeks)
  • Exploring the world with their mouth
  • Play behavior learned from littermates
  • Overstimulation or tiredness

🐶 Biting is normal—but you’re here to teach bite inhibition and gentle play.

Step 2: Use a High-Pitched “Ouch!”

  • When your puppy bites too hard during play, immediately say “Ouch!” or let out a yelp.
  • Stop playing and turn away for 5–10 seconds
  • Resume play only if your pup calms down.

⚠️ Be consistent—every time they bite too hard, the fun stops.

Step 3: Offer a Toy Instead

  • If they start biting your hands, redirect them to a chew toy.
  • Keep a toy handy when you’re playing to give them something appropriate to chomp on.

🎯 The goal: Mouth toy = good, mouth hand = no fun.

Step 4: Use a Time-Out (if Needed)

  • If your pup keeps biting, calmly place them in a puppy-proof area for a short time-out (30–60 seconds).
  • Don’t scold—just remove them from attention.

📌 This teaches them: biting = no social time.

Step 5: Reward Gentle Play

  • Use treats and praise when your pup plays nicely or licks instead of bites.
  • Reinforce calm behavior when they choose to chew toys over fingers.

Step 6: Watch for Triggers

Puppies are more likely to bite when they’re:

  • Tired
  • Overexcited
  • Needing to potty
  • Hungry

🕐 Keep sessions short and positive. Don’t roughhouse if they get mouthy.

✅ Pro Tips

  • Avoid punishment—don’t hit, shout, or grab their snout.
  • Use frozen teething toys or carrots to soothe sore gums.
  • Teach kids to play gently and walk away if the puppy bites.
  • If biting is intense or doesn’t improve, consult a positive reinforcement trainer.

🧠 Bonus: Teach “Gentle”

  • Hand-feed your puppy their kibble or treats
  • Say “Gentle” and only release the food if they take it softly.
  • Pull your hand away if they nip and try again.

 

Recall

Teaching your puppy to come when called (aka recall) is one of the most important commands—it can literally be life-saving. Here’s a step-by-step guide to training a reliable recall, starting with basics and gradually building up. 

Step 1: Pick a Recall Cue

  • Choose a word that’s clear and consistent.Most common: “Come!” or “Here!”. You can also use a whistle for long-distance recall later on.

✅ Pro Tip: Only use your recall word for positive situations (never when you're about to scold them or do something they dislike, like nail clipping).

Step 2: Start Indoors with No Distractions

  1. Sit a short distance from your puppy (5–6 feet).
  2. Say their name to get attention
  3. Say your recall cue excitedly: “Fido, come!”
  4. Back up a few steps as they approach (this encourages chasing).
  5. As soon as they reach you, reward big time – treats, toys, praise!

🎉 Make it a party every time they come to you.

Step 3: Practice Short Distances Often

  • Call them from across the room or a hallway.
  • Always reward enthusiastically.
  • End on a high note before they lose interest.

📌 Do 3–5 minute sessions several times a day.

Step 4: Add Slight Distractions

  • Try in your yard, on a long leash, or in a quiet park.
  • Use high-value treats (like chicken or cheese).
  • If they hesitate, kneel down, clap, or use a happy voice to encourage them.

Step 5: Use a Long Line Outdoors

  • Use a 15–30 foot training leash in an open space.
  • Let your pup wander, then call them using your cue.
  • Gently guide them with the line if they don’t respond, then reward heavily when they get to you.

Step 6: Proof with Real-Life Situations

  • Practice with distractions: other dogs, toys, smells.
  • Keep reinforcing the cue with great rewards.
  • Occasionally reward with jackpots (a handful of treats or a favorite game) to keep them motivated.

✅ Tips for Success

  • Never punish your dog after they come, even if they were naughty before.
  • Don’t repeat the cue over and over—say it once, then encourage.
  • If they don’t come, go to them calmly, leash them, and try again later.
  • Use a happy voice and body language—coming to you should be the best thing ever.
  • Practice off leash in a safe space away from traffic.

🐶 Fun Game: "Puppy Ping Pong"

  • Two - four people sit on opposite sides of a room or yard
  • Take turns calling the puppy and rewarding.
  • Great for building excitement and strengthening recall!