7 Best Puppy Training Tips for Your New Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with challenges—especially when it comes to training. Setting up good habits early on will make life easier for both you and your furry friend. Here are seven essential puppy training tips to help you train your new puppy and set them up for success.
Why Training Your Puppy Matters
Training isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about building trust, communication, and a strong bond with your pup. Early training helps prevent problem behaviors, boosts your puppy’s confidence, and makes them a happy, well-adjusted dog.

7 Tips for Puppy Training Success
1. Start with a Routine
One of the most important puppy training tips is setting a routine. Puppies thrive on consistency. Create a daily schedule for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, and training sessions. This helps them learn what to expect and makes potty training easier.
Pro Tip: Take your puppy out to the same spot for bathroom breaks. Consistency helps reinforce the habit.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward your puppy with treats, praise, or playtime when they follow commands or show good behavior. Positive reinforcement for dogs builds trust and motivates them to learn.
Pro Tip: Keep treats small and training sessions short—5 to 10 minutes is plenty for a young pup.
3. Focus on Socialization

Expose your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments during their first few months. Positive experiences during this critical period will help prevent fear or aggression later.
Pro Tip: Introduce your puppy to new things gradually and always reward calm behavior.
4. Teach Basic Commands
Start basic training with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These foundational commands not only help with daily life but also keep your puppy safe in unexpected situations.
Pro Tip: Use a cheerful tone and make training sessions fun to keep your puppy engaged.
5. Address Nipping Early
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which often leads to nipping. Redirect their attention to chew toys and discourage nipping by gently withdrawing your hand and saying “ouch” in a calm voice.
Pro Tip: Offer plenty of appropriate chew toys to satisfy their need to chew.
6. Be Patient and Consistent
Training takes time, and every puppy learns at their own pace. Stay patient and consistent, even if progress seems slow. Repetition is key to building good habits.
Pro Tip: Avoid punishment-based training—it can damage trust and make your puppy anxious.
7. Enroll in a Puppy Training Class
Group classes can be a great way to learn training techniques while giving your puppy valuable socialization opportunities.
Pro Tip: Choose a dog training class that uses positive reinforcement methods and allows for plenty of interaction with other puppies.
Common Puppy Training Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)
- Potty Training: Use a crate to establish a routine and minimize accidents. Praise your puppy immediately after they go outside.
- Jumping Up: Turn away and ignore your puppy when they jump. Reward them only when all four paws are on the ground.
- Barking: Determine the cause of barking (boredom, excitement, or fear) and address the underlying issue with redirection or enrichment.

Enjoy the Journey of Puppy Training
Training your puppy is a rewarding experience that strengthens your bond and sets the stage for a lifetime of companionship. By using these puppy training tips, you’ll be well on your way to raising a happy, well-behaved dog.
What’s your favorite puppy training tip? Share your ideas in the comments below!