The first things to train a dog
What to train your dog first? From crate training to potty training, easy to follow videos to start on the right paw today.
Starting at the very beginning, bringing a new dog into your household seems daunting, scary, and thrilling all at the same time. With so much to teach it can be hard to decide the first things to train your new puppy.
I often get asked what I train first when a dog enters the home (no matter the age), well I have a few basic behaviors I start all new dogs with, whether it’s my own pup or a client’s. Since we recently added Rossi to our family I was able to show you some of these behaviors that he has learned, Rossi just turned 3 months old. Like all my training, Rossi was trained with only positive reinforcement methods and he’s eager to learn.
Before you start make sure you read our blog on how long to train for and what treats I recommend using. And of course, don’t forget training isn’t just tricks but socialization is key to your puppy’s development.
The first things to train a new puppy!
To help you get started here is a list and training videos for the first things I train any new puppy.
- Sit – Sit is a foundation for many behaviors we teach in our household but it’s also a nice calm automatic behavior. I reward sit a lot in the beginning and my dogs learn that to get something we like a nice calm sit in our house. Whether it’s putting on their leashes for a walk or waiting for their dinner a sit is what produces all the fun and goodies. It’s easy for dogs to learn, I put it the sit behavior on both a hand and verbal cue. This is handy for when the pet can’t hear us so well such as on a busy street or at an event but also it makes it easier to communicate as they get older and hearing or eyesight may go, it’s now something that they have used their whole life with me. Want more tips? We have a multipart series on teaching Sit, you can view it here.
- Stay – Stay is another behavior that I use A LOT. It allows my pet to stay out of harms way when needed, I can ask for a stay on a walk when a skateboarder is going by to ensure a paw doesn’t get squished or when meeting new friends, so everyone can approach calmly.
- Come – My dogs LOVE when they are told to come over, they RUN with joy. Why? Because I have so heavily praised and rewarded this one. When I’m at a park or on a hike with my dogs if I call them to come I need them to come right then, what if there is something up ahead I need them to avoid? Or even at a friend’s house and it’s time to leave, I need my dogs to come when called.
- Crate training – I’m a huge fan of crate training and when done properly a dog can love their crate (I often find Maggie sleeping in hers). It’s one of the easiest ways to potty train a new puppy, to keep them from destroying or chewing things when not in your sight, and a great way to avoid or fix separation anxiety. It’s also a nice safe quiet place they can go when they are scared, uncomfortable, not feeling well, and just need some alone time (I wish I had a crate sometimes). Below is part 1 of our 3 part crate training series. We have an entire blog post and 3 part video series on this including potty training, below is part 1.
- Touch – This is a fun one, I teach my dogs to touch my hand with their nose, it seems silly, but I use it so much! If I need to bring my dogs closer to me it brings them close by, it’s useful when teaching a healing walk, to get them to approach something I want them to get their fear over. It’s also a nice way to get my dogs to learn certain directions, stretch themselves out, and gain body awareness. It’s a behavior I use a lot as my pets get older and we transition to other behaviors as well.
- Name / Watch me – Lastly, but obviously very important their name. When I call my dogs name, either Maggie or Rossi, that is their cue to watch me, check in, and see what I say or do next – I also inter-switch the words ‘Watch me’ once they have their name down. Some pet owners use the name as a come command, that choice is up to you. It’s a nice thing for when we are out hiking or walking I can make sure they are paying attention still despite all the distractions around us in nature.
And while it’s not a behavior, I do highly suggest investing in dog pet health insurance after adding a pet to your family due to my own personal experience and research. Maggie and Rossi are both insured with Figo pet insurance so if something happens, god forbid, I can make a decision based on their comfort and not upon the costs of veterinary bills (which can be very high).
Our Favorite Treats
Pupford Freeze Dried Treats
- Low Calorie
- All Natural
- Healthy Training Treats for Small to Large Dogs
- Various protein options
- No added ingredients or fillers
Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Bites Treats
- Available in various proteins and sizes
- Limited ingredients - pretty much just meat
- Low Calorie
- USA Made
- High quality ingredients
Full Moon USDA Organic Chicken Training Treats
- Organic
- Bite size for training
- USA Made
- Made in small batches
- 100% natural ingredients
- Can be traced to a farm
- My dog is obsessed with these - I actually put their supplements on it since they inhale these.
- Two protein options
- free glycerin and fillers like corn, wheat, and so
Good treats keep our pets motivated without filling them with unnecessary ingredients to keep them healthy for years to come.
If you are looking for our top toys for puppies take a look at our products page here.
Wonder what to practice next?
- Your first few days together.
- Socialization and how to do it safely and properly
- Check out some of our favorite tricks to teach here. Have fun learning together!
- Or check out our article on puppy biting – ow!
- Or enrichment games – which I highly recommend for all puppies.
Where can I get your treat bag?
Hi, here is the treat bag I use daily. Absolutely love it! https://amzn.to/3KDcOcK