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What is the best age to start training a puppy?
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Secrets to Dog Training
A broad reference for everyday puppy and dog problems such as jumping up, chewing and pulling, according to the vendor. Stick to its reward-based advice.
Why the first few months matter so much
Puppies go through a sensitive period for socialisation, when new people, animals, sounds and places are easiest to accept. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statement on puppy socialisation describes this primary socialisation period as running from about 3 to 14 weeks of age, and says socialisation should be a priority during the first three months of life.
That doesn’t mean cramming. It means lots of short, positive, low-pressure experiences, so your puppy learns that the world is mostly safe. A puppy who misses this period isn’t ruined, but fear of unfamiliar things is harder to change later.
In England, licensed sellers can’t sell puppies under eight weeks old (GOV.UK licensing guidance), and since April 2020 (“Lucy’s Law”) puppies under six months must come directly from the breeder or a rescue centre (GOV.UK). So for most owners, eight weeks is the real starting line.
What to teach at each age
| Age | Focus | Example goals |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks | Settling in, toilet training, name, handling | Looks up when you say their name; goes outside after naps and meals; accepts gentle ear and paw handling |
| 10–12 weeks | Socialisation and simple cues | Meets calm adults and vaccinated dogs; “sit” and “down” for a treat; short spells alone in a pen or crate |
| 12–16 weeks | Recall, lead walking basics, bite inhibition | Comes when called indoors and in the garden; walks a few steps on a loose lead; plays with toys, not hands |
| 4–6 months | Proofing in new places | Same cues with mild distractions; settling on a mat; polite greetings |
| 6–18 months (adolescence) | Keeping skills going | Expect some regression; keep rewarding, keep recall on a long line |
For a day-by-day version, see our puppy training schedule by age.
Secrets to Dog Training
A broad reference for everyday puppy and dog problems such as jumping up, chewing and pulling, according to the vendor. Stick to its reward-based advice.
Can you start training before vaccinations are finished?
Yes. Training at home starts straight away, and safe socialisation shouldn’t wait for the last jab. The AVSAB statement says puppies can start puppy classes as early as seven to eight weeks, as long as they’ve had at least one set of vaccines and a deworming at least seven days before the first class, and keep up their vaccination schedule.
Until your vet says your puppy is fully protected, avoid places where unknown dogs toilet (busy parks, pavements near them) and dogs of unknown health. Instead you can:
- Carry your puppy to watch traffic, people and other dogs from a safe distance.
- Invite calm, healthy, vaccinated adult dogs to your garden.
- Play recordings of fireworks, traffic and vacuum cleaners at a low volume while feeding treats.
- Let your puppy explore different surfaces at home: tiles, grass, gravel, a wobbly cushion.
Ask your own vet for advice on local disease risks: it varies by area.
How long should puppy training sessions be?
Short. Young puppies have short attention spans and get tired fast. A good rule of thumb is several sessions of two to five minutes a day, ending while your puppy is still keen. Everyday life is training too: asking for a sit before dinner, rewarding calm behaviour, and taking them outside after every nap.
Use reward-based methods. The UK’s major welfare charities, including the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, recommend reward-based training, and the AVSAB advises against punishment-based methods because of the risk of fear and aggression. Food, toys and praise all count as rewards.
A tired, over-excited puppy will bite more and listen less. Planned naps (young puppies need a lot of sleep) make training much easier; our crate training schedule helps with this, and our guide to stopping puppy biting covers the nippy stage.
Is it ever too late to train a dog?
No. Adult and older dogs learn new cues and habits throughout life. Rescue dogs with no training history often make quick progress with patience and good rewards. What changes with age is how much unlearning is needed: a dog who has jumped up for three years has had three years of that habit being rewarded.
If your dog is older, check health first. Pain, poor hearing or eyesight can look like “ignoring” you. Shorter sessions and softer surfaces help senior dogs, and brain games are a great low-impact option (see mental stimulation games for dogs).
If you see aggression, severe fear or distress when alone, speak to your vet and a qualified behaviourist rather than relying on a book or course.
A first-week checklist for a new puppy
- Choose a name and use it only for good things.
- Set a toilet routine: outside after waking, eating, playing and every one to two hours.
- Set up a safe pen or crate with a comfy bed and chews.
- Practise gentle handling: ears, paws, mouth, collar.
- Start short, happy spells alone in another room.
- Book a vet check and ask about vaccinations, worming and microchipping (in England, Scotland and Wales dogs must be microchipped by eight weeks old).
- Find a reward-based puppy class; ask whether the trainer belongs to a professional body.
- Start a socialisation list and tick off a few new, calm experiences each day.
Common questions
Is 8 weeks too young to train a puppy?
No. Eight weeks is a good time to start very short, reward-based sessions and gentle socialisation.
What should I teach my puppy first?
Their name, toilet training, being handled, and settling in a crate or pen. Simple cues like sit come next.
Can I take my puppy to classes before the second vaccination?
Many vets and the AVSAB say yes, at well-run classes, once your puppy has had at least one set of vaccines at least seven days before. Ask your vet.
Is it too late to train a 1-year-old dog?
No. Adolescent and adult dogs learn well; it may simply take longer to replace old habits.
How many minutes a day should I train my puppy?
Several sessions of two to five minutes, plus training built into everyday routines.
What we’d look at next
Secrets to Dog Training
A broad reference for everyday puppy and dog problems such as jumping up, chewing and pulling, according to the vendor. Stick to its reward-based advice.
Brain Training for Dogs
Game-based training that puppies and older dogs can do at home, according to the vendor.
Not sure which fits? Take the 30-second quiz or see our comparisons.
Related comparisons: Brain Training for Dogs vs Secrets to Dog Training · Best online guides for pet behaviour problems
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Get the free PDF
A short PDF: seven short, reward-based training sessions to build focus, a reliable sit, settling on a mat and loose-lead basics, plus a cat litter-tray checklist.