As cute as puppies can be, training them can be a chaotic time. Forming the foundations of good habits sets up your dog’s lifestyle for a healthy, happy life. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. It helps you learn about your pup’s core personality and how they view the world as they develop their primary skills. So when should you start training?

Start Training Right Away!

Our answer to one of the most-asked questions, “When should we start?” is always right away! Puppies are always learning. The world is so new to them, so how they approach every new situation matters. By starting early, you prevent unwanted behaviors, build a trusting environment, establish structure, and create a confident companion.

Where to Start?

If you’re not sure where to begin, professional trainers are here to help you and your pup get a good head start. Here at Sit Means Sit New Hampshire, our Puppy Jump Start Dog Training Program focuses on building those essential foundational skills early!

We focus on:

• Promoting good socialization skills with other people and dogs
• Building obedience and smart behavioral skills
• Preventing future behavioral problems in your canine with early intervention
• Implementing essential skills for a well-rounded pup

This kind of structured approach ensures your puppy develops good habits from day one, rather than trying to fix problems later.

Puppy Training Tips

• Use Positive Reinforcement – leveraging treats and toys to help encourage good behavior can go a long way.
• Start with Short Training Sessions – puppies have short attention spans. Starting with short 5-15 minute sessions will help them build skills slowly but steadily.
• Practice in Different Environments – take your new pup to a park or beach to expose them to new environments and smells. Do a quick training session there to make them adjust to the new situation.
• Be Patient – Patience goes a long way. Pups are like young children; they make mistakes and don’t really understand you. Take a deep breath if you’re getting overwhelmed and try to put yourself in their paws!