Every puppy is different, even within the same breed or the same litter.

The main thing to keep in mind with training is you go at your puppy’s own pace.

That pace will be different for each of us. So take this post for what it’s worth; these are just my opinions. I wanted to write this post to give new puppy owners a general idea for a puppy training timeline.

I have a new lab puppy myself. He’s about 5.5 months old at the time of this writing. So I’ll share some certain examples with my own puppy.

This is a long article, so feel complimentary to jump ahead to the section you need.

Jump ahead to:
להתחבא

What age is best to start training a puppy?

Puppy training timeline: 0 to 7 weeks

Puppy training timeline by age: 8 to 12 weeks

Puppy potty training

Puppy chewing and biting at 8 weeks old

Puppy training checklist for 8 week old puppy:

What commands must a 10 week old puppy know?

Age of puppy concern periods

Puppy training timeline by age: 3 to 5 months

What to work on with your 12 week old puppy:

Should you take a puppy to a pet dog park?

Basic obedience cues for a 3 to 5 month old puppy:

Puppy training schedule 6 months old

Basic obedience classes for puppies

Longer walks and hikes for older puppies

Puppy training timeline 8 months to 12 months

How long does it take to train a puppy?

What age is best to start training a puppy?

Puppy training is ongoing and your puppy will always be learning.

You must start with some basic training ideal away when you get your puppy.

But keep in mind that “obedience commands” like sit and down are actually the least crucial things to be working on ideal away. Those are easy to show and, sure, you can introduce them now if you want.

But what’s a lot more crucial at first, and a lot more difficult, is:

potty training
kennel training
socialization
getting your puppy used to a new routine/structure

*If you just got a new puppy, download my complimentary puppy training guide. לחץ כאן

My lab puppy at 13 weeks old

Puppy training timeline: 0 to 7 weeks

At this point, puppies will be learning from their mom, litter mates, environment and breeder (or other people such as shelter staff).

These early weeks are very crucial for a puppy’s mental development.

A good breeder will be working on socializing the puppies to all sorts of different objects, sights, smells and sounds once they are about 4 weeks old. Some follow a program called “Puppy Culture” but others have their own methods that also work well.

The puppies must get used to being handled and meet lots of different people of different ages, get time to play outside in the dirt and grass, walk on different surfaces and interact with a variety of toys.

So much is out of our control for those first 7 weeks, which is why I can’t anxiety enough the value of finding a knowledgeable, good breeder.

Puppy training timeline by age: 8 to 12 weeks

Most puppies will be heading to their new families between 7 and 10 weeks old. Do not bring a puppy home before she is 7 weeks old unless you have no choice, such as if the mother has died or you have to get the puppy out of a bad living situation.

Good breeders and shelters will not send puppies to their new homes until they are at least 7 weeks old.

During these first few days and weeks with your new puppy, you must begin working on:

כללים בסיסיים
Potty training
Kennel training
Socialization
Getting used to a leash and collar or harness
Getting into a regular routine/schedule

Puppy potty training

Your puppy will probably have several potty accidents during this time. Do your best to take her outside at least every 45 minutes when she is not in her kennel. Do not expect your puppy to ask to go outside at this point or to ring a bell. just take her out.

My lab puppy Rip also needed a 3 a.m. potty break until he was 12 weeks old, which got really old! but your puppy may not need this. Every puppy is different.

See my article: My puppy’s first night home

My puppy Rip! (8 weeks old)

Puppy chewing and biting at 8 weeks old

Your puppy will likely be trying to chew everything and bite at your hands and clothes at this age.

This is normal puppy behavior and might get worse in the next few months when your puppy starts getting her adult teeth. Do your best to redirect your puppy’s attention to a toy or bully stick and not to engage with her when she’s biting at you.

Puppy training checklist for 8 week old puppy:

Riding in the car
Visiting the vet
Meeting lots of new people and dogs
Playdates with other puppies or dogs
Short walks in your neighborhood
Simple brushing and clip a few nails
Possibly start puppy training classes, if available
Being left alone

You will be doing a lot with your puppy during these first few weeks. Socialization is so crucial during this time. slowly and safely introduce your puppy to as lots of people and dogs as you can.

What commands must a 10 week old puppy know?

השם שלו או שלה
A marker word like “good!” או כן!”
לָשֶׁבֶת
מטה
תבואו
“No” to mark unwanted behavior

*If you just got a new puppy, download my complimentary puppy training guide. לחץ כאן

Age of puppy concern periods

Note that puppies do normally go through a “fear period” around 10 weeks old, the exact age is different for each puppy. Ask your puppy’s breeder about this if you have any questions.

During a “fear period,” your puppy might appear a lot more fearful or cautious of new things than she usually would. זה נורמלי. If you notice this, just don’t force anything. let you puppy check out at her own pace. try again in a few days if she seems overwhelmed or fearful.

You also might never notice a “fear period,” and that’s fine too. I never observed a concern period with my lab puppy.

Puppy training timeline by age: 3 to 5 months

During this stage, you must continue working on everything pointed out above. Being consistent and sticking to a routine is key!

If you just got your puppy at 3 or 4 months old, begin working on everything provided already listed, especially socialization.

He is probably doing lots of chewing and biting at this age, and that is normal! תחזיקי מעמד.

At 3 to 5 months, puppy potty training is still a work in progress for a lot of puppies.

By about 12 weeks, hopefully your puppy must be able to hold it through the night. If not, he must be able to hold it very soon.

During the day, it’s normal if your puppy is still having accidents at 4 months old. Mine certainly was. just try to be better at taking her out a lot more often.

My lab puppy, Rip, seemed to be pretty much potty trained by 5 months old. We still made a point to take him outside at least every 2 hours. It felt like it took forever to get to this point, so be patient.

What to work on with your 12 week old puppy:

Establishing routines
Potty training & kennel training
Lots of managing – paws, ears, nose, tail
נסיעות ברכב
Nail trims and grooming
Lots of socialization
Start puppy training classes
Potentially puppy daycare, if you’d like
Playdates with other puppies or dogs
Longer walks around the neighborhood
Getting used to being left alone for a few hours
Stick to consistent policies such as ignoring jumping
Stick to policies about if your pup is allowed on furniture or not

Should you take a puppy to a pet dog park?

Most puppies will have all of their shots by the time they are around 4 months old. This is a time when a lot of people are comfortable bringing their puppy out and about at a lot more public parks and trails.

You could consider a pet dog park during quiet times, but I’m personally pretty hesitant about pet dog parks. pet dog parks can be pretty overwhelming to a puppy, and the last thing I want to do is scare my puppy or have a bigger pet dog hurt him.

My puppy is pretty confident, though, so I might take him to a pet dog park on a weekday morning sometime soon. We’re lucky to have a lot of big, open pet dog parks in our area with trails and a lot of space.

Rip’s first trail walk, 12 weeks old

Basic obedience cues for a 3 to 5 month old puppy:

Sit, down & come
Stay (for a few seconds)
Teach a release cue like “Ok!” or “break!”
“Drop” items for a treat (trade with your puppy)
Try playing fetch
“Trading” valued toys and bones for even better treats! (to stop resource guarding)

*If you just got a new puppy, download my complimentary puppy training guide. לחץ כאן

Puppy training schedule 6 months old

If you haven’t been working on basic obedience cues, now is an crucial time to really work on these.

Most puppies will start to feel a lot more confident and independent around this age. They will start to push the boundaries! You might notice your puppy is starting to feel a lot more brave when out and about, for example.

Try to spend at least 5 minutes a day working on things like sit, down, stay and come.

This is also a good time to begin introducing some “loose-leash” walking training or heelwork.

Basic obedience classes for puppies

Obedience classes or working with a trainer one-on-one can be so useful during this time. even though I like to think I know what I’m doing, I find that classes hold me accountable and force me to practice more!

I highly recommend you take your puppy to basic obedience classes through at least the first year of age.

In addition, if you are thinking about doing any type of pet dog sports with your pet dog such as agility, hunting, nosework or rally, you could look into some foundation classes for these sports around this time.

It’s also ok to wait a few a lot more months while you establish a lot more of a foundation in obedience training.

Longer walks and hikes for older puppies

You can certainly start taking your puppy for longer walks and hikes around 6 months. I recommend talking with your vet if you’re anxious about how far your puppy can go. It’s additionally than some people think! As long as you’re not forcing it.

A hike with my puppy Remy at 10 months old or so

Puppy training timeline 8 months to 12 months

Now is that challenging time where your pup might be starting to look like an adult but still has the mental immaturity of a puppy. This is a tough age as they have a ton of energy and are not terrified to push the boundaries.

If you’re having any issues with behavior, I highly recommend you hire a trainer at this time. A one-on-one trainer to come visit your home can be very valuable, even just one or two sessions.

If you’re planning to do agility or dock diving, it’s likely ok to start the training classes now.

How long does it take to train a puppy?

Training is ongoing!

And, training occurs at you and your dog’s own pace. Every pet dog is different and we’re all taking care of our own life time constraints and struggles.

So, try not to compare your pet dog to any individual else’s or to previous dogs you’ve had.

My weimaraner and my lab could not be any a lot more different as far as energy or having issues with opposite things.

For example, my weim never had an accident in his kennel and slept 8 hours a night immediately. My Lab? He needed a 3am potty break for a whole month and had accidents in his kennel several times!

As another example, my weim was going for 3-mile walks a day by about 10 weeks old. He would’ve gone additionally and was never tired.

My Lab? seems fine with just 1 mile a day and doesn’t care if we skip the walk entirely.

So, they are all so different. Breed matters, of course, but so does the individual dog’s personality and background.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my complimentary puppy training guide. לחץ כאן

See all of our puppy training ideas here!