Stage 1: Puppy (8 weeks to 4 months) - Foundations and Early Socialization
Goals:
• Build trust and positive associations
Introduce basic commands and manners
• Start socialization with people, dogs, and environments
Tips:
• Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and fun; puppies have short attention spans.
• Use positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, and toys to motivate learning.
• Begin with simple commands like sit, come, down, stay, and name recognition.
• Handle your puppy gently to get them used to being touched on paws, ears, and mouth.
• Start socializing gradually: new people, dogs, car rides, different surfaces.
• Set consistent routines (feeding, potty breaks, playtime) to create structure.
• Avoid punishment; focus on redirection and rewarding good behavior.
• Crate training helps with potty training and gives your puppy a safe space.