3 Easy Things To Teach Your New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting—but training? That can feel overwhelming.

Where do you even start? Don’t worry! These three simple skills are fun, easy, and set the stage for a happy, well-behaved dog.

• Teach your puppy to love hearing their name for better focus.
• Learn the easiest trick to prevent jumping and begging.
• Discover the one word that can keep your puppy safe anywhere.

Let’s make training simple and fun!

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3 Easy Things To Teach Your New Puppy

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1. Name Recognition

The first and most important thing your puppy needs to learn is their name.

Why? Because it’s the key to grabbing their attention and teaching other commands.

How to Teach Your Puppy Their Name

Step 1: Positive Associations

• Say your puppy’s name in a happy tone.
• The moment they look at you, reward them with a treat and lots of praise.

Step 2: Repeat

• Practice in short sessions, saying their name only once.
• Wait for them to respond before giving the reward.

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Step 3: Add Challenges

• Gradually increase distractions, like practicing in the backyard.
• Call their names during playtime to reinforce focus in exciting situations.

Quick Tip: Always use your puppy’s name positively. Never associate it with scolding, as this can make them ignore it over time.

Fun Fact: Studies show that puppies learn their names in 1–2 weeks of training.

2. “Sit”

“Sit” is the easiest command to teach—and one of the most useful.

It’s like hitting the pause button on unwanted behaviors, such as jumping, barking, or running wild.

Why “Sit” Matters

• Manners: Prevent jumping on guests or begging at the dinner table.
• Safety: Helps to control your puppy in busy or dangerous situations.
• Training Gateway: Sets the stage for more advanced commands like “stay” or “down.”

How to Teach “Sit”

Step 1: Use a Treat as a Lure

• Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose.
• Slowly move it upward and back over their heads.

Step 2: Wait for the Behavior

• As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground.
• The moment they sit, say “sit” and reward them.

Step 3: Practice and Repeat

• Repeat the process 5–10 times per session.
• Gradually fade the treat lure by using just your hand as a signal.

Pro Tip: Keep sessions short (under 5 minutes) to match your puppy’s attention span.

Fun Fact: Puppies as young as 8 weeks old can learn to “sit” in just a few sessions with positive reinforcement!

3. “Come” (Recall)

“Come” is the most important command you will ever teach your puppy.

It’s not just about obedience—it’s about safety.

A reliable recall can save your puppy’s life. It matters if they slip their leash or gets distracted at the park.

Why “Come” Is Essential

• Safety: Stops your puppy from running into dangerous situations.
• Freedom: Allows your dog to explore off-leash with confidence.
• Bonding: Strengthens trust and communication between you and your puppy.

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How to Teach “Come”

Step 1: Start Indoors

• Call your puppy’s name in an excited tone, then say “come.”
• Reward them with a treat and lots of praise when they reach you.

Step 2: Add Distance

• Gradually increase the distance, calling them from across the room.

Step 3: Move Outdoors

• Practice in a fenced yard or on a long leash to manage distractions.
• Always reward with high-value treats to make “come” the most exciting word in their world.

Pro Tip: Never punish your puppy after they come to you—even if they have been naughty before.

Coming to you should always feel safe and rewarding.

Fun Fact: Dogs trained in recall respond 90% faster to praise and treats than to corrections.

Why Start With These Commands?

These three skills aren’t just easy—they’re transformative.

Here’s why they’re perfect for a new puppy:

1. Builds Confidence

Learning simple commands makes your puppy feel successful and eager to learn more.

2. Makes Life Easier

These commands simplify daily life. They cover mealtime manners and safe walking.

3. Prevents Bad Habits

Starting early reduces the risk of unwanted behaviors. These include jumping, barking, and ignoring you.

Fun Fact: Early-trained puppies are more likely to grow into calm, confident, well-behaved adults.

How Puppies Learn Best

Understanding how puppies think can make training faster and more effective.

Puppies are naturally curious and eager to please, but they also have short attention spans.

Here’s how to align your training with their natural learning process:

1. Repetition Is Key

Puppies learn through repetition.

Example: Practicing “sit” for just a few minutes a day, many times a week, builds muscle memory.

2. Positive Reinforcement Works Best

Puppies respond to rewards, not punishment.

Pro Tip: Use treats, toys, or praise to encourage good behavior. 

Never scold during training—it can confuse or discourage them.

3. Timing Is Everything

Reward immediately after your puppy does the desired behavior.

Quick Insight: Puppies link actions to rewards if done within 1–2 seconds.

So, quick reactions are crucial.

Fun Fact: Puppies trained before 16 weeks retain commands better. Studies show this.

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The Importance of Socialization During Training

Socialization isn’t just about making friends.

It’s about teaching your puppy to navigate the world confidently.

With training, it boosts good behavior and prevents fear later.

Why Socialization Matters

1. Reduces Fear

Early exposure to new people, animals, and places prevents your puppy from becoming nervous or aggressive.

2. Builds Confidence

Socialization teaches your puppy that new experiences are safe and fun.

Example: Practicing “sit” and “stay” at a busy park builds focus and confidence around distractions.

3. Prevents Behavior Problems

Well-socialized puppies are less likely to bark, bite, or guard resources.

Quick Insight: Early socialization windows close around 16 weeks, so start as soon as possible.

How to Combine Socialization with Training

1. Practice in Different Environments

Teach “sit” or “come” in new places like the park, pet store, or around friends.

Pro Tip: Start with low-distraction environments, then gradually add complexity.

2. Introduce New People and Pets

Ask friends to give commands like “sit” or “stay” with your guidance.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your puppy with treats or praise when they behave well in new situations.

Fun Fact: Exposing puppies to 100 people, places, and sounds before 16 weeks reduces adult fear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even simple training can go wrong if you’re not careful.

Avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Overusing Their Name

Calling their name too often without rewarding them can make it lose meaning.

2. Skipping Rewards

Rewards reinforce behavior. Without them, your puppy may lose interest.

3. Expecting Too Much Too Soon

Puppies have short attention spans, so keep sessions short and celebrate small wins.

Quick Tip: Patience is everything! Puppies learn best when training feels like a game, not a chore.

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Troubleshooting Scenarios and Solutions

Training rarely goes perfectly. But, knowing how to handle setbacks can keep you and your puppy on track.

Here are common scenarios and how to overcome them:

1. The Overexcited Jumper

Scenario: Your puppy jumps up during training instead of sitting. Solution:

• Hold the treat close to their nose and wait for them to be calm.
• Avoid rewarding jumping by standing still until it settles.
• Practice patience—it may take a few tries.

2. The Easily Distracted Pup

Scenario: Your puppy ignores commands when there’s noise or activity nearby. Solution:

• Use a leash to gently guide the focus back to you.
• Increase the value of rewards (e.g., use fresh chicken instead of kibble).
• Gradually expose them to distractions, starting with quieter environments.

3. The Nervous Learner

Scenario: Your puppy seems hesitant or scared during training. Solution:

• Use a gentle tone and give extra rewards for small steps.
• Avoid overwhelming situations—start in a familiar, quiet space.
• Build trust with plenty of praise and playtime after sessions.

Quick Insight: Every puppy learns at their own pace. 

Patience and consistency are your biggest tools!

How to Make Training Fun

Puppies love to play, so why not make training a part of the fun?

Here’s how:

1. Keep Sessions Short

Aim for 3–5 minutes per command to match your puppy’s attention span.

2. Use High-Value Treats

Small, tasty treats like chicken or cheese keep your puppy motivated.

3. Incorporate Play Practice commands like “sit” or “come” during fetch or tug-of-war.

Pro Tip: Training through play strengthens your bond and keeps your puppy engaged.

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When to Seek Professional Guidance

If training feels overwhelming or your puppy struggles, get help.

When to Consider a Trainer:

• Your puppy seems fearful or stressed during training.
• You’re struggling with specific behaviors, like biting or resource guarding.
• You want extra guidance for advanced commands or socialization.

Example: Group puppy classes are a great way to combine training with socialization in a safe, controlled environment.

Conclusion

Training your new puppy doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

Start with these three skills: name recognition, “sit,” and “come.”

They will help you build a well-behaved, confident dog.

With patience, positivity, and creativity, you’ll make training fun and rewarding for both of you.

Now it’s your turn: What’s the first thing you taught your puppy?

Share your tips and success stories in the comments below!

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