Your Complete First Week Puppy Training Plan, by McCann Dog Training on YouTube. 19 min 2 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 2 s
- Time to do it
- 1 week of short daily sessions
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Set a daily routine with fixed meal times, potty breaks and short training sessions. Take your puppy out first thing, after meals, after naps and before bed.
Keep your puppy on a leash indoors for the first days so you can watch for sniffing or circling and get them outside fast.
Teach gentle food taking by holding a treat in your closed fist. Wait until your puppy stops mouthing, then open your hand and reward.
Move a treat slowly in front of your puppy's nose and let them follow it. Use this to guide them into a sit, lie down or stand.
Take your puppy to the same potty spot often and reward right after they finish. Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner and go out more often.
Say your puppy's name once, then reward when they look at you. Repeat in short bursts around the house.
Put the crate in a busy room and feed meals inside it with the door open. Add safe chew toys only in the crate so it feels positive.
Choose a crate just big enough for your puppy to stand, turn and lie down. Close the door for short periods and build up slowly.
Tips and common mistakes
Never punish accidents. Quietly clean up and take your puppy out sooner next time.
Keep training sessions to a few minutes and end while your puppy is still interested.
Feed meals in the crate to build a positive link before you leave the door closed.
Match potty breaks and crate time to your puppy's age, since young puppies need to go out very often.
Questions
How often should I take my puppy out to potty?
Take them out first thing, after every meal, after naps and play, and before bed. Young puppies also need a break during the night.
Should I leave my puppy in the crate all day?
No. Use the crate for short rest periods and at night, and give plenty of potty breaks, play and training time outside it.
Can I train an older dog with these steps?
Yes, many of the same exercises work for adult dogs. Adjust session length and potty frequency to your dog.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
