8-Week Puppy Training Schedule Made Easy

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Welcoming a new puppy into your family is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to training. Establishing a solid foundation of obedience, socialization, and housebreaking is crucial during the first few months of a puppy's life. A well-structured training schedule can make a significant difference in your puppy's development and behavior. In this article, we will provide you with an 8-week puppy training schedule that is easy to follow and proven to be effective.

As a responsible puppy owner, it's essential to understand that puppies learn at different rates, and consistency is key. This 8-week schedule is tailored to meet the unique needs of your puppy, covering various aspects of training, including housebreaking, obedience, and socialization.

Week 1: Setting the Foundation (Age 8-10 weeks)

The first week is crucial in establishing a routine and setting boundaries for your puppy. Focus on the following:

• Housebreaking: Designate a specific area for your puppy to eliminate, such as a puppy pad or a designated potty area outside.
• Basic Obedience: Introduce simple commands like "sit," "stay," and "come."
• Socialization: Start socializing your puppy with family members, friends, and other animals.

Week 1 Tasks:

• Establish a feeding schedule and stick to it.
• Introduce a crate to aid in housebreaking and provide a safe space for your puppy.
• Begin basic obedience training using positive reinforcement techniques.

Week 2: Building on Basics (Age 9-11 weeks)

During the second week, focus on building on the foundation established in Week 1.

• Housebreaking: Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Basic Obedience: Introduce more complex commands like "down," "stay close," and "leave it."
• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new environments, such as puppy classes or outings to the park.

Week 2 Tasks:

• Gradually increase the duration of obedience training sessions.
• Introduce puppy playdates to help with socialization and play skills.
• Continue to reinforce housebreaking habits.

Week 3: Refining Obedience (Age 10-12 weeks)

In Week 3, focus on refining your puppy's obedience skills.

• Basic Obedience: Introduce more complex commands like "stay near," "heel," and "wait."
• Housebreaking: Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new people, such as strangers, and new environments, such as pet stores.

Week 3 Tasks:

• Increase the duration and difficulty of obedience training sessions.
• Introduce distractions during training to help your puppy generalize commands.
• Continue to reinforce housebreaking habits.

Week 4: Advanced Training (Age 11-13 weeks)

In Week 4, focus on advanced training techniques.

• Advanced Obedience: Introduce complex commands like "figure-eights," "weave through legs," and "jump through a hoop."
• Housebreaking: Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new environments, such as dog parks and hiking trails.

Week 4 Tasks:

• Increase the duration and difficulty of advanced training sessions.
• Introduce new distractions and challenges during training.
• Continue to reinforce housebreaking habits.

Week 5: Refining Housebreaking (Age 12-14 weeks)

In Week 5, focus on refining your puppy's housebreaking habits.

• Housebreaking: Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Basic Obedience: Review and refine basic obedience commands.
• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new people, such as strangers, and new environments, such as pet stores.

Week 5 Tasks:

• Gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Introduce new environments and distractions during housebreaking training.
• Continue to reinforce basic obedience commands.

Week 6: Advanced Socialization (Age 13-15 weeks)

In Week 6, focus on advanced socialization techniques.

• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new environments, such as dog parks and hiking trails.
• Basic Obedience: Review and refine basic obedience commands.
• Housebreaking: Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between potty breaks.

Week 6 Tasks:

• Increase the duration and difficulty of socialization sessions.
• Introduce new people, animals, and environments during socialization training.
• Continue to reinforce basic obedience commands.

Week 7: Refining Advanced Training (Age 14-16 weeks)

In Week 7, focus on refining advanced training techniques.

• Advanced Training: Refine complex commands like "figure-eights," "weave through legs," and "jump through a hoop."
• Basic Obedience: Review and refine basic obedience commands.
• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new environments, such as dog parks and hiking trails.

Week 7 Tasks:

• Increase the duration and difficulty of advanced training sessions.
• Introduce new distractions and challenges during training.
• Continue to reinforce basic obedience commands.

Week 8: Finalizing Training (Age 15-17 weeks)

In Week 8, focus on finalizing training and reinforcing good habits.

• Basic Obedience: Review and refine basic obedience commands.
• Housebreaking: Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Socialization: Expand socialization to include new people, animals, and environments.

Week 8 Tasks:

• Gradually increase the time between potty breaks.
• Introduce new environments and distractions during training.
• Continue to reinforce basic obedience commands.

By following this 8-week puppy training schedule, you'll be well on your way to raising a well-behaved, well-adjusted puppy. Remember to stay consistent, patient, and positive, and don't hesitate to seek professional help if you encounter any challenges along the way.