Good Paws Guide / Articles / Puppy training schedule by age
Puppy training schedule by age
Affiliate links: some buttons on this page are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. #ad Product notes are based on each vendor’s own description, not hands-on testing.
Secrets to Dog Training
A guide covering puppy basics and behaviour, according to the vendor.
8–12 weeks
- Toilet trips after waking, eating and play.
- Name game and hand targeting.
- Positive handling: paws, ears, mouth.
- Socialisation: calm, varied new sights and sounds. Ask your vet about safe socialisation before full vaccination.
12–16 weeks
- Sit, down, come.
- Lead and harness indoors.
- Crate training.
- Bite inhibition (puppy biting).
Secrets to Dog Training
A guide covering puppy basics and behaviour, according to the vendor.
4–6 months
- Impulse control: wait at doors and bowls.
- Loose-lead walking outdoors.
- Short alone-time practice.
- Expect adolescent wobbles from around 6 months.
Session length
Two to five minutes, a few times a day, ending on a success. Reward-based training is what welfare organisations recommend; see RSPCA dog advice.
Common questions
When should you start training a puppy?
The day they arrive, with short, fun sessions.
How long should puppy training sessions be?
Two to five minutes, several times a day.
When are puppies toilet trained?
Many are reliable by four to six months, with accidents along the way.
What we’d look at next
Secrets to Dog Training
A guide covering puppy basics and behaviour, according to the vendor.
Brain Training for Dogs
Games suitable for growing puppies.
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
More articles
- How to stop puppy biting (without punishment)
- 10 mental stimulation games for dogs you can play at home
- Why is my cat peeing outside the litter box?
- How to stop a dog pulling on the lead
- Crate training schedule: a day-by-day plan
- Why does my dog bark when left alone?
- How to teach your dog to come when called
- How to stop a dog jumping up
- How to tire out a dog indoors
- Cat spraying indoors: what to do
- Chameleon care for beginners
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.