The first months with a puppy fly by, and they count for a lot. You don’t need complicated exercises: a few good habits, positive experiences and plenty of patience lay the groundwork for a settled adult dog.
Puppies are learning all the time, even when you’re not “training". Every new person, every noise and every reaction of yours becomes information about how the world works. That’s good news: you don’t need hours of drills, just a few sensible habits repeated every day. This guide covers the basics and helps you choose a puppy class if you’d like to join one.
Age milestones in brief
Every puppy develops at its own pace, and size and breed make a difference. Treat the table as a rough guide, not a strict timetable.
| Age | What to focus on | Worth remembering |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | Settling in at home, house training, their name, gentle handling, first new experiences, gradually. | Agree outings and meeting other dogs with your vet, based on the vaccination schedule. |
| 3–4 months | Getting used to the lead and harness, recall in quiet places, a well-run puppy class. | Short sessions of a few minutes, several times a day. |
| 4–6 months | Chewing while the adult teeth come through, recall with small distractions, time alone, built up gradually. | Offer suitable things to chew and redirect rather than punish. |
| 6–12 months, sometimes longer | Adolescence: more independence and testing boundaries. | Go back to easier exercises and stay consistent; it isn’t a sign you’ve done something wrong. |
Socialisation, gently and gradually
Socialisation isn’t about exposing your puppy to as many things as possible, as fast as possible. It’s about helping them have good experiences with people, dogs, sounds, surfaces and new places, at a pace they can cope with.
What usually helps
- let them watch from a distance before getting closer;
- pair new things with something pleasant, like a treat or a quick game;
- let your puppy choose whether to say hello – don’t push them towards people or dogs;
- for first meetings, pick calm, friendly adult dogs you know;
- if they seem frightened, pause or move away, and try again another time at an easier level.
House training
Puppies need to go out often, and accidents are part of the process. A few simple principles:
- take them out (or to the agreed spot) after sleeping, eating and playing, and at regular intervals in between;
- go to the same place and reward them straight after they’ve finished;
- keep a close eye on them indoors and learn the signs they need to go: sniffing, circling, heading for the door;
- if there’s an accident, clean up calmly without telling them off – punishment can simply teach them to hide when they go;
- use a cleaner that properly removes the smell.
Every puppy has their own pace. If accidents suddenly become more frequent or you notice other changes, it’s a good reason to check in with your vet.
Chewing and mouthing
Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Chewing and play-biting are normal, but you can guide them:
- offer suitable chew toys and rotate them so they stay interesting;
- put away anything you don’t want chewed: cables, shoes, plants;
- if they mouth your hands during play, pause the game briefly and redirect them to a toy;
- notice whether the biting gets worse when they’re tired – often they need a nap, not more play.
Name and attention
One of the first useful skills is for your puppy to look at you when you say their name. Say it once, somewhere quiet, and reward them when they turn towards you. Gradually practise in places with a few more distractions. Try not to use their name just before something they dislike, so it stays a positive signal.
Handling and grooming
Vet visits, brushing and nail trims are easier for a dog who got used to being handled young. Briefly touch their ears, paws, mouth or tail, then reward. Go slowly and stop if they tense up. The aim is for handling to feel ordinary, not like a battle.
Preparing for time alone
Many puppies have never been on their own before they come home with you. You can build up to it gradually:
- set up a comfortable, safe spot where they can rest;
- practise very short absences, even just in another room, and extend them slowly;
- give them something to chew or a food toy when you leave;
- keep leaving and coming back low-key, without long goodbyes.
If your puppy seems very distressed when left (crying for long periods, destroying things, unable to settle), talk to a trainer or your vet before it becomes more entrenched.
Short sessions, often
Puppies have short attention spans. A few minutes of practice several times a day usually works better than one long session. Finish while your puppy is still keen, and mix learning with play and rest. Puppies sleep a lot, and sleep is part of learning too.
If you’re curious why most puppy advice is built around rewards, our guide to dog training methods gives a short overview of the different approaches.
Puppy classes
A good puppy class can be a safe place to socialise and genuine support for you. But classes vary a lot.
Signs of a well-run class
- small groups, so every puppy and owner gets attention;
- short, supervised play between puppies of similar size and temperament;
- a calm atmosphere where shy puppies are allowed to hang back;
- owners are coached directly rather than just watching;
- practical topics: name, attention, house training, chewing, lead walking.
What to ask before you enrol
- How many puppies are in a group, and what ages?
- How is play managed, and what happens if a puppy is overwhelmed?
- What health or vaccination requirements do you have for participants?
- Could I come and watch a session first?
- Will I get things to practise at home between classes?
For broader criteria, see how to choose a dog trainer and our list of questions to ask a trainer.
Realistic expectations: adolescence
Plenty of owners find that after a few good months, their puppy suddenly seems to have “forgotten" everything. Adolescence can bring more independence, curiosity and boundary-testing. It’s a normal stage, not a sign you’ve done something wrong.
During this time it helps to go back to easier exercises, manage the environment more carefully and stay consistent. What you built early on isn’t lost, even when it’s hard to see. For the bigger picture of how learning unfolds, our dog training overview can help you set realistic expectations.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can I start training a puppy?
From the first day at home, through simple routines and short sessions: their name, house training, gentle handling. Plan outings, meeting other dogs and puppy classes with your vet, based on the vaccination schedule.
How long should training sessions with a puppy be?
A few minutes, several times a day, ending on a success. A tired or overwhelmed puppy struggles to learn, so it’s better to stop before they lose interest.
Why does my puppy seem to have forgotten everything after a few months?
They’ve probably reached adolescence, a normal stage with more independence and boundary-testing. Go back to easier exercises, manage the environment and stay consistent: what you’ve built isn’t lost.
