Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments for any dog owner — but it also comes with plenty of challenges. If you're struggling, please know that you are far from alone! From toilet training accidents to chewing and sleepless nights, those early weeks can feel overwhelming.
The good news? With the right approach and some helpful puppy essentials, puppy training doesn’t have to be as stressful as it can be. This guide will walk you through how to train a puppy step-by-step, while helping you build a strong bond from day one.
Why Puppy Training Is So Important
Early training sets the foundation for your dog’s behaviour for life. A well-trained puppy is:
- Easier to manage at home
- More confident in new situations
- Safer around people and other dogs
Starting early helps prevent bad habits before they begin.
Positive Reinforcement for Puppy Training
Before we move on to specific training tasks and commands, it's important to know that the use of Positive Reinforcement is the most effective way to train your puppy.
This involves:
- Reward-based training
- Rewarding good behaviour immediately
- Ignoring or redirecting unwanted behaviour
- Keeping things calm and consistent
- Avoiding punishment — it can create fear and slow down learning
The key rewards for your pup's good behaviour will be verbal praise (“good boy/girl”), playing with toys, and most importantly, healthy but tasty training treats.
#1. How to Toilet Train a Puppy
Toilet training is usually the first priority for new puppy owners. Here are some simple but crucial steps to follow as soon as you bring your puppy home:
• Take your puppy outside every 1–2 hours
• Use the same toilet spot each time
• Always go after meals, naps, and playtime
• Verbally praise and reward with a treat immediately after they go
• Always clean up indoor accidents as soon as possible
Consistency is everything here.
💡 Pro tip: It's sensible to also have an indoor solution for toilet training your puppy, particularly for overnight, or if you don't have access to a garden. These eco-friendly washable puppy pads are designed for modern puppy toilet training. They protect your floors, trap odour, reduce waste, and save you money long-term
#2. Basic Commands Every Puppy Should Learn
Start with these simple, essential commands:
Sit:
• Hold a treat above your puppy’s nose
• Move it back slowly
• As they sit, say “sit” and reward.
• Repeat at least 10 times per training session.
Once your puppy has mastered the sit command, you can move on to 'Stay'.
Stay:
• Ask your puppy to sit
• When they do, hold your hand up
• Take a step back slowly, and reward if they stay
• Repeat at least 10 times per training session, and move further away each session.
Once pup has mastered the stay command, move on to 'Come'
Come:
• Tell them to 'stay' and slowly move a few steps back
• If they stay, use a happy tone and say 'come' (point to the floor in front of you if it helps)
• Reward immediately every time they come to you
• Repeat at least 10 times per training session, and move further away each session.
Short, regular puppy training sessions work best — aim for 5–10 minutes at a time.
#3. How to Stop Biting and Chewing
Puppies naturally explore with their mouths. Not only that, they often experience sore gums due to the teething process. The result? Inappropriate biting and nipping of almost anything in sight. During my dog Bella's puppy phase I lost two pairs of shoes, a sweatshirt, and a dressing gown! Whilst we need to understand that the behaviour is natural (not your puppy trying to be naughty), we still need to manage it in order to protect our homes and our fingers! To reduce the impact of puppy biting, the following is essential:
- Provide safe chew toys
- Redirect biting onto toys
- Stop play if it gets too rough - turn your back and don't make eye contact for 10-20 seconds if your puppy bites too hard
💡 Pro tip: Having a variety of durable chew toys available at all times helps protect your home (and your hands!). The Kong Puppy Teething Stick is invaluable for new puppy owners.
#4. Socialising Your Puppy
Socialisation is just as important as training. You should calmly expose your puppy to:
- New people
- Different environments
- Everyday sounds
- Other vaccinated dogs
This helps prevent fear and anxiety later in life. Once vaccinated, a group puppy training class is an excellent opportunity for your pup to socialise in a safe and structured environment. Find a group class near you via Puppy School, a trusted UK wide network of puppy trainers providing reward-based training classes.
#5. Create a Daily Routine
Puppies thrive on routine. Not only does a good routine help them learn faster and feel secure, it will help keep you sane during the challenging periods! Your daily puppy training routine will depend on your personal circumstances and environment, but as a general rule, try to keep:
- Feeding times consistent
- Regular nap times
- Regular and frequent toilet breaks
- Daily training sessions (5-10 mins per session)
- Set sleep times
A predictable routine makes everything easier; it feels less stressful when you know what to expect and how to respond to each situation.
Puppy Essentials That Make Training Easier
Having the right products can make a huge difference in your training journey.
For new puppy owners, we recommend:
- Puppy Training Treats – essential for reward-based training
- Chew toys – to support teething, reduce biting, and protect your home
- Washable puppy pads – for eco-friendly stress-free toilet training
- Non-Toxic Accident Cleaner – to avoid repeat accidents in the same areas
Shop our For Puppies collection to find everything you need for a smoother training experience.
Common Puppy Training Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to slip up. But try to avoid:
- Inconsistent routines
- Punishing accidents
- Expecting too much too soon
- Skipping socialisation
✨ Final Thoughts
Puppy training isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Training takes time and patience is key. With consistency, positive reinforcement, and the right tools, your puppy will grow into a well-behaved, happy companion. Have you moved on to puppy lead training? Read our guide on how to stop your dog pulling on the lead for some helpful tips.
Start simple, stay patient, celebrate the milestones, and enjoy the journey. It will be worth it in the end!