The Ultimate Puppy Training Schedule by Age
So you just got a puppy and cannot wait to play with it and have all the fun in the world? But wait! Do not get too excited. Having a puppy is not only about playing and having fun. Just like we take responsibility for our kids, teaching them new things and cleaning up all the mess they make. Similarly, a puppy is not much different than a child. Dogs must also be taken care of and trained throughout life to stay healthy, disciplined, and active.
Pets can be quite a nuisance, especially puppies who are not appropriately trained. Do not worry a bit, as we have the ultimate puppy training schedule by age to assist you throughout your journey as a dog owner.
Puppy Schedule By Age
8-10 Weeks Old
Most people adopt puppies at an early age when they are between 8-10 weeks old. Adopting a puppy at an early age allows them to nurture their behavior and teach them some core cues. At this age, puppies should learn their name and a few basic obedience commands. Let’s have a look at them in detail:
- Diet Scheduling
The first point on our dog training schedule list is feeding your pup correctly. Proper feeding is crucial as it can make or break your dog’s daily routine. Prepare a weekly food timetable for your dog that encompasses all nutrients necessary to stay healthy and active.
- Potty Training
You should start potty training your fluffy friend as soon as it arrives. If you do not act upon it fast, soon your house will be a mess that you will have to clean. Start the training by taking your pup out for potty during fixed times, for example, in the morning, after meals, and at night. You may also use a puppy training pad to help your dog start potty training at home. For more information on potty training your dog, read our detailed blog post by clicking here!
- Crate Training
Crate training is an essential element in the puppy house training schedule that needs to be taught within these starting weeks. As long as your puppy stays with you, it will be difficult to train it to remain alone. Read more about crate training in this post.
- Puppy Obedience Training
Basic cues such as sit, stand, and come towards can be easily taught between 8-10 weeks of age. It is recommended to keep training sessions brief, limited to 15 minutes per day and 5 minutes per sitting. You can teach your dog how to sit by luring it with a treat. Treats are a great way to enhance the outcome of the puppy training schedule. Giving your four-legged friend treats on the go can help them learn cues faster than you can imagine. We have covered dog obedience training in detail here and the benefits of using treats while training!
- Teaching Their Name
The next important thing that you want your pup to learn is their name. Avoid calling your puppy names such as dog, pal, or doggo. Call them by their name throughout the day, so they know to respond to it every time. You can teach your dog its name by saying it before calling for a snack or going outside.
- Redirect Chewing Behavior
Puppies love to chew on stuff just as little kids. Gift them a chew toy and ensure they use it instead of chewing on carpets and tables.
10-12 Weeks Old
At this stage of the puppy training schedule, you will have to work on a few more advanced obedience training behaviors and start to teach your puppy socialization skills:
- Unleash The Leash
Get your puppy accustomed to using a leash while walking and running. You will have to train your puppy primarily for them to be comfortable while wearing a leash. Here is a detailed blog post that covers leash training.
- Introduce Socialization Skills
Take your puppy to the park and let other people know about it. Let your dog play with various people and other pups. This will boost their confidence and teach them socialization skills. A drawback of not teaching your dog socialization skills is that it might get scared in front of new faces and act strangely.
- Advanced Obedience Training
A significant chunk of puppy training schedule by age is to teach your dog specific obedience cues and behaviors. You can step up the game by teaching your dog how to lie down and heel. Read more on obedience training here!
3-6 Months Old
This age bracket is all about mastering the existing skills and teaching further advanced and complex cues to your dog:
- Interlink Commands
Once your puppy knows commands like sit, come, and heel, now it is the time for them to hold on to them for more extended periods. Conduct training sessions that include several commands at once.
- Reduce The Treats
It is time to cut down on dog treats and reward toys. Your dog no longer requires them as much as they did before. Once they grow old, they understand the meaning of these behaviors and why they are essential. Praise your dog often at this point. Doing this boosts their confidence a lot more than treats.
- Continue Socialization
Introduce your puppy to friends of its kind and let it play with them often. You may also enroll your dog in a group training session. Read more about different training sessions in this article!
6-12 Months Old And Going Forward
- Reinforce Commands Better
Practice makes perfect stands accurate for puppy training. Keep practicing commands with your dog to have them on their mind—level up the game by training them in front of people and in crowded places.
- Stick To Schedule
No matter what happens, do not give complete freedom to your dog in terms of training sessions and other essentials. It is common for dogs to start their old habits once their training is eased.
Final Words
Following a puppy training schedule by age can do wonders for you and your four-legged friend. It can help you know what you are supposed to focus on during different phases. A puppy training schedule also keeps your pup from being overwhelmed by the rigid training routines. Thanks for reading!
