Now that your puppy is settling in, it’s time to start laying the foundations of training. This week, we’ll focus on teaching your puppy their name, building engagement, boosting confidence through handling exercises, and preparing for their first vet visit.
Teaching Your Puppy Their Name
One of the first things your puppy needs to learn is their name. It’s the foundation of all future training. Here’s how to teach it effectively:
🔹 Say Their Name Positively – Use a happy, excited tone when saying their name.
🔹 Reward Immediately – The moment your puppy looks at you, reward them with a treat, praise, or a toy.
🔹 Avoid Overuse – Don’t say their name repeatedly if they aren’t responding. Instead, use a sound (kissy noise, clap) to get their attention first.
🔹 Make it a Game – Call their name and run backward to encourage them to come to you. Reward heavily!
📝 Tip: If your puppy doesn’t respond to their name, don’t repeat it over and over. Instead, make yourself exciting—move around, use a higher-pitched voice, and reward even the smallest glance in your direction.
Building Engagement and Focus
A well-trained dog starts with engagement. You want your puppy to want to pay attention to you. Here’s how to build that bond:
👀 Eye Contact Games – Hold a treat near your face, wait for your puppy to look at you, then reward. Increase duration gradually.
🎾 Interactive Play – Play with your puppy using a tug toy or ball. Engaging in fun activities together strengthens your relationship.
🚶♂️ Hand Targeting – Hold out your hand and encourage your puppy to touch it with their nose. Reward when they do. This helps with focus and can be a useful recall tool later.🔄 Switch it Up – Train in different rooms, outside, and with mild distractions to build real-world focus.
📝 Tip: Engagement should always be rewarding for your puppy—never force them. If they lose interest, take a break and try again later.
Handling and Confidence-Building Exercises
Many dogs become nervous about being handled, so it’s important to get your puppy used to it early.
🤲 Gentle Touch Training:
Stroke their paws, ears, and tail while giving treats.
Gradually introduce brushing and collar touching.
Reward calm behaviour to create positive associations.
🐶 Desensitisation to Common Situations:
Briefly lift their paws as if checking them.
Open their mouth gently and reward.
Touch around their eyes and ears to prepare them for vet visits.
📝 Tip: Keep handling sessions short and positive. If your puppy struggles, take a step back and go slower.
First Vet Visit & Vaccinations
Your puppy’s first vet visit is an important milestone. Here’s how to make it stress-free:
🐾 Before the Visit:
Get them used to being in the car with short, fun trips.
Bring high-value treats for positive reinforcement.
Handle them at home so they’re comfortable being touched.
🏥 At the Vet:
Stay calm—puppies pick up on your emotions.
Reward them for staying calm and relaxed.
Ask the vet to give treats to build positive associations.
📝 Tip: Some vets allow "happy visits" where your puppy can come in for treats and cuddles without any procedures. This helps build a positive experience.
What’s Next?
This week, you’ve started building the foundations of training—name recognition, focus, and handling.
In Week 3, we’ll tackle toilet training and setting boundaries to make life easier for both you and your puppy.
Commentaires