Puppy Training Guide

The First Few Days: Stay Consistent

Training starts the moment your puppy comes home. Along with the basics (a crate, a blanket or towels, food and water bowls, puppy food, a collar, a leash and toys), the most important thing you can bring home is a plan the whole family agrees on: one routine, shared responsibilities and the same basic rules.

The first few days are exciting, and everyone wants to feed, play with and hold the new puppy. That's exactly when good plans slip. The puppy that was supposed to sleep in the crate ends up in bed, and jumping up gets a pass because it's cute. When the excitement fades and the whining starts (from the puppy and the family!), stay strong. You've got this!

Remember, your puppy has just left their litter and everything they know. They need security, a calm routine and plenty of sleep, so don't spend every moment with them. If your puppy will be alone during the day or night, start getting them used to it now. When they wake from a nap and whine in their crate, resist rushing in to comfort them. Puppies learn fast that crying brings attention, and that habit is hard to break.

Chocolate doodle puppy held outdoors at Doodle Horse Ranch in Apopka, Florida

Short Lessons, Same Words & Daily Walks

Puppies learn best in short, happy lessons. Keep each training session to 5–8 minutes, a few times a day, and always end on a win.

Pick your command words and have everyone in the house use the exact same ones: "Go Potty," "Down," "Flat," "Stay." If one person says "Off" and another says "Down," your puppy has to learn two languages.

Start a daily leash walk right away. You decide the direction, the pace and when to stop. It builds trust, burns energy and teaches your puppy that you are the leader.

Merle doodle puppy from Doodle Horse Ranch, ready to start leash training

Crate & House Training

A crate is your puppy's safe, cozy den, and it makes house training so much easier. Use it for naps, nighttime and any time you can't watch your puppy. Until they're fully house trained, don't let them roam the house unsupervised.

Most puppies are reliably house trained by around 6 months. Accidents will happen along the way. If you catch one in the act, calmly take your puppy outside to finish. If you find it later, just clean it up; your puppy won't connect a scolding to something that already happened.

• Use the same door every time and say "Go Potty!"

• Praise and reward the moment they go outside.

• No harsh punishment, ever.

• Feed on a set schedule.

• Serve dinner a few hours before bed and pick up water about an hour before bedtime.

• Keep track of when your puppy eats, drinks and goes, so you can see their pattern.

Black and white Bernedoodle puppy learning crate and house training

Good Manners: No Jumping & Happy Alone Time

Jumping is the habit we hear about most, and it usually starts with us. When a tiny puppy jumps up, we bend down to hug them, and they learn that jumping works. Scolding doesn't fix it, and being inconsistent keeps it going.

What works: when your puppy jumps, turn your back and ignore them. The moment all four paws are on the floor, turn around and give them calm attention. Ask guests to do the same thing.

Your puppy also needs to learn that being alone is okay. Practice short stretches in the crate or pen while you're home, and don't rush back when they fuss. If they bark or whine, a firm "No!" and then praise as soon as they're quiet. Come and go often, leave a treat or toy in the crate, and keep your goodbyes and hellos calm and brief.

Brown and white doodle puppy practicing good manners at Doodle Horse Ranch

Socialize, Play & Exercise

Your puppy's personality is mostly set before their first birthday, so this is the time to introduce them to new people, places, sounds and friendly dogs. A puppy class is one of the best things you can do for both of you.

Play every day, and mix a little training into playtime. The best puppy tip ever? Exercise! A tired puppy is a good puppy. Walks, fetch, tug and time to run in a safe, fenced area burn off energy that would otherwise go into chewing and mischief.

A few health notes from us:

• Avoid Trifexis, Comfortis and other all-in-one medications. We recommend Heartgard plus NexGard or Frontline.

• No rawhide.

• Choose American-made food and treats.