Teach a new puppy to witness its extravagance. It can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging if you’re not prepared. Starting with the right training techniques from the beginning ensures your puppy grows up to be well-behaved, healthy, and happy. Here are some top tricks you should consider teaching your new puppy, along with additional tips to help make the training process smoother.
The Basics of Training a New Puppy

The hidden secret behind successful puppy training is establishing a consistent routine. Puppies thrive on structure, and a routine helps them understand the rules of their new environment. By sticking to a consistent schedule, you can prevent accidents, establish good habits, and help your puppy learn what’s expected of them. You must have consistent feeding times, potty breaks, and playtime for your pup. It makes him feel secure and confident.
When it comes to supplies, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference. In addition to the essentials like food, water, bowls, toys, and treats, you have to consider investing in puppy-safe bedding and containment tools such as crates, X-pens, and baby gates. These tools can help manage your puppy’s access to certain areas of your home until they’re fully trained. Furthermore, using high-value treats exclusively for training sessions can keep your puppy motivated and eager to learn.
Watch Me
One of the first tricks to teach your puppy is “watch me.” You teach this to get your puppy’s attention, especially in distracting environments. To begin, hold a high-value treat near your puppy’s nose, then slowly move it up to your face while saying “watch me.” As soon as your puppy makes eye contact, praise them and offer the treat. This simple trick not only helps with training but also strengthens your bond with your puppy, making it easier to communicate in the future.
Take It Gently
Puppies are naturally curious and love to explore the world with their mouths. Thus it can lead to accidental nipping or biting. Teaching your puppy to “take it gently” is essential for developing impulse control and ensuring the safety of your fingers—and any small children around. To teach this command, start by holding a treat in your hand and making a fist. Allow your puppy to sniff the treat, but if they start to nip, respond with a firm “ouch!” to let them know that their actions are painful. Once they calm down and only sniff or lick your hand, reward them with the treat. Consistent practice of this trick will help your puppy learn to be gentle when taking treats or interacting with others.
Leave It
“Leave it” is an invaluable command that can prevent your puppy from getting into potentially dangerous situations. Whether it’s dropped medication, toxic foods, or important personal items, teaching your puppy to “leave it” can keep them safe. To train this command, place a treat on the ground and cover it with your hand. When your puppy shows interest, calmly say “leave it” and wait for them to lose interest or back away. Once they do, reward them with a treat from your other hand or pocket. It’s important not to give them the treat you were asking them to leave, as this reinforces the idea that the item is off-limits, even when uncovered.
Come
A reliable recall is one of the most important commands you can teach your puppy, as it can keep them safe in potentially hazardous situations. Start by attaching a long-line leash to your puppy, allowing them to explore a bit. When you’re ready, call your puppy to you using an excited, high-pitched voice. The energy in your voice will grab their attention, and most puppies will come running. When they do, be sure to praise them enthusiastically and reward them with a treat. For puppies who enjoy playing the “keep away” game, you can encourage them to approach by taking a few steps back as you call them.
Sit Politely
Teach your puppy to “sit politely”, which is another excellent way to instill impulse control. Begin by asking your puppy to sit, then slowly lower a treat or toy from your chest height down towards them. If your puppy becomes too excited and breaks the sit, calmly ask them to sit again and try lowering the treat once more. Once your puppy can remain seated while the treat is lowered, reward them with multiple treats and plenty of praise. This command is particularly useful in situations where you want your puppy to remain calm and composed, such as when greeting guests or waiting for their dinner.
More Tips for Successful Puppy Training
You may always use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, treats, and play to reward your puppy for good behavior. Remember that you should avoid punishing while training your pup , as it can create fear and hinder the learning process. In fact, Puppies have short attention spans, so try to keep training sessions brief and frequent. Aim for 5-10 minute sessions, several times a day, to keep your puppy engaged and prevent them from becoming overwhelmed. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people, places, and other animals during their socialization period (usually between 3-14 weeks of age). Proper socialization helps your puppy develop into a well-rounded, confident adult dog. Ensure that all family members are on the same page when it comes to commands and training techniques. Consistency from everyone involved helps prevent confusion and reinforces the learning process.
In fact, training a puppy takes time and patience. There will be setbacks and challenges, but with persistence, your puppy will eventually learn the desired behaviors. Celebrate small victories along the way and remember that every puppy learns at their own pace.
By incorporating these tricks and tips into your puppy’s training session, you’ll set the stage for a strong foundation of obedience and good behavior. A well-trained puppy is not only a joy to be around but also a safer and happier companion.