The first 3 weeks with your new puppy.

It is important that you get your new puppy started off well. And training begins from the first day you bring them home. The first 3 weeks are important and to bond with your dog. The tone you set now will effect your relationship with your dog for the rest of it's life.

Set a feeding, toileting and training routine with your pup. This will work with any puppy but works best when you first bring a new puppy into the home. I gear my advice to those with pups from 8 weeks to 5 months. But it works with older pups and dogs too.

Putting the puppy on a feeding routine 3 times a day for pups from 8-12 weeks and 2 times a day for puppies 12 weeks up. Lets you know when you puppy has to eliminate so setting up a potty routine. Using a crate as I cover before also helps.  

I use the feeding schedule to teach my puppy the Sit Command.  When I have the dish I hold it up over the pup so they look up and naturally sit.  As their bottom hits the ground I say YES Sit good puppy and I wait a second or two before putting the dish down with an OK command.  "OK" I only use as a command to eat. I never use it for any other reason.  As we progress I add WAIT to the sit and the pup must stay put first until I put the dish on the floor then a little longer each time until they will sit and look at me for the OK Command.  Believe it or not a puppy can do a good Sit and Wait by the time they are 12 weeks old. 


Follow the leader is vital and great fun. Getting your puppy to follow you around the house, keep a pocket of yummy soft treats in your pocket and make it a game. Say their name and reward them, play follow me and when they reach you, Praise first then reward.  They learn to keep an eye on you, and to come when called so it is the beginning of your recall command. You can also use a squeaky toy. At the end of 3 week your puppy will come whenever you call his name.


If you work on these few things in the first few weeks you begin to develop a deep bond with your puppy.  These simple games are based on praise and reward. 

If your puppy makes a mistake and potty's on the floor it is your mistake not theirs so do not tell at them.  The first few weeks should be about fun and play there should never be anything but a short AH AH shown for disapproval.  


Now there will be other problems that come up, chewing and biting but for now work on bonding and soon the pups will be with you and your dog will know it is a safe and fun place to be.