Puppy Training Guide: What to Teach and When, From 8 Weeks to 6 Months
Begin training the day your puppy comes home: focus on toilet habits, the crate, their name and gentle handling first, then add basic cues, leash skills and impulse control as they grow. Short, reward-based sessions of 2-5 minutes work best.
You don't have to teach everything at once. This timeline shows what to focus on at each age and links to a full guide for each skill. Puppies develop at different speeds, so treat the ages as a guide.
The short version
- 8-10 weeks: name, potty routine, crate, handling
- 10-12 weeks: sit, gentle mouths, wearing a collar and leash
- 3-4 months: come, down, walking on a leash, socialization
- 4-6 months: stay, leave it, more distractions
- 6 months and up: keep practising through adolescence
Puppy training timeline by age
| Age | Main focus | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| 8-10 weeks | Settling in, toilet routine, crate | First night home, potty training, crate training |
| 10-12 weeks | First cues, bite control | Basic commands, stop biting |
| 3-4 months | Leash skills, new experiences | Leash training, socialization |
| 4-6 months | Impulse control, distractions | Basic commands |
| 6 months and up | Consistency through adolescence | Everything above, in new places |
8-10 weeks: build routines
Your first job is to help your puppy feel safe and learn the household's rhythm.
- Toilet routine. Go out after waking, eating and playing, and reward straight away. Our potty training guide has a full schedule.
- Crate or pen. Make it a place where good things happen. Start with crate training basics, then use our night-time crate routine.
- Daily structure. Puppies need a lot of sleep, and overtired ones are harder to train. See our puppy daily schedule and how much puppies sleep.
- Name and handling. Say their name and reward when they look at you. Gently touch paws, ears and mouth, and reward calm behavior.
10-12 weeks: first cues and gentle mouths
- Sit. It's usually the easiest first cue. Our basic commands guide goes through it step by step.
- Biting. Mouthing is normal, but you can teach gentler habits. Redirect to a toy and pause play when teeth touch skin. See how to stop a puppy from biting. Teething often makes it worse, so check the teething timeline and offer suitable chew toys.
- Collar and leash. Let your puppy wear them indoors for short periods, with treats.
3-4 months: take it into the world
- Socialization. Calm, positive experiences with people, sounds and surfaces matter a lot at this age. Use our socialization checklist and ask your vet which outings are safe for your puppy's vaccination stage.
- Leash walking. Start somewhere quiet and reward your puppy for staying near you. Our leash training guide covers pulling.
- Come. Practise indoors first, and always make coming to you a good thing.
4-6 months: add impulse control
- Stay and leave it. These build self-control and can keep your puppy safe. Add time and distance gradually.
- Harder environments. Practise known cues in new places, with better rewards.
- Expect some wobbles. Teething and growing independence can make puppies seem to forget things.
6 months and up: keep going
Adolescence can test your patience. Many dogs get more distracted and more interested in the world around them. Keep sessions short, reward what you like, and manage situations so that unwanted habits don't get practised. Setbacks like a puppy peeing on your bed are usually fixed by going back to basics.
Six rules that apply at every age
- Reward within a couple of seconds, so your puppy connects it with the behavior.
- Keep it short. Stop while your puppy is still keen.
- Teach one thing at a time, and make it easier if your puppy struggles.
- Be consistent. Everyone in the house should use the same cues and rules.
- Avoid punishment. Harsh corrections can create fear and make problems worse.
- Manage the environment. Gates, crates and leashes prevent mistakes while your puppy learns.
Do you need a class or trainer?
Puppy classes can help with socialization and with practising around distractions. See how much puppy training costs for what to budget. Look for a trainer who uses reward-based methods and is open about how they work.
Get help early if your puppy shows fear, growling, snapping, guarding of food or toys, or distress when left alone. Ask your vet to rule out pain or illness too, as a sudden change in behavior or toilet habits can have a medical cause. Our puppy health guide covers common symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I teach my puppy first?
Start with their name, where to toilet, and feeling safe in a crate or pen. These make everything else easier. Simple cues such as sit can begin in the first week.
How long should puppy training sessions be?
Keep sessions to about 2-5 minutes, a few times a day. Young puppies learn better from short, successful sessions, and everyday moments like mealtimes count as practice.
Is it ever too early to start training a puppy?
No. Puppies start learning from the day they come home, usually around 8 weeks. Gentle, reward-based training is suitable at this age.
Do I need a professional trainer?
Many owners can teach the basics at home, though a puppy class also offers guided socialization and practice around distractions. Get professional help quickly for fear or aggressive behavior.
Why did my puppy forget their training?
Regression is common, particularly during adolescence from about 6 months. Go back a step, make the task easier, and raise your rewards. It usually means your puppy needs more practice, not that training failed.
This guide is general training information. Puppies learn at different speeds. For behavior concerns, talk to your vet or a qualified, reward-based trainer.
