People always ask me what to expect and when. They want a timeline. The truth is, every dog is a living, emotional being, not a robot, and they all develop at their own pace. But after thirty years and thousands of dogs, I can give you a pretty good roadmap of what you're likely to see and what you should be focusing on at each key stage.
This is where it all begins. Your puppy is a little sponge, soaking everything up. The absolute most important thing right now is building a positive relationship and teaching them how to live in our world. We do this by setting the puppy up for success, not failure. Start with crate training immediately. The crate is their safe space, not a punishment. We make it the best place on earth with high-value treats and comfortable bedding. This is also the critical window for socialization. Expose them to new sights, sounds, and gentle dogs, but always ensure it’s a positive experience. When in doubt, stop too early rather than too late. We’re building confidence, not fear.
Welcome to adolescence! This is when your sweet puppy might start to act like a little brat, and that’s perfectly normal. They're testing their independence. Now is the time to be crystal clear with your expectations. Clarity is kindness. We introduce more structure with leash walking. I don’t expect a perfect heel, but I do expect them not to pull my arm out of its socket. We teach this through clear, fair corrections, but only after the dog understands what’s expected. Remember my 9th commandment: never correct before the dog understands. We keep training sessions short and fun. Faster is usually not better.
Your dog is now a teenager, with a teenager's brain. They know the rules, but they'll pretend they don't. This is where we focus on proofing behaviors in new environments. Your recall needs to be solid before you even think about off-leash freedom. We also need to ensure the dog has a purpose. This doesn’t mean they need to be a police K9. A "job" can be as simple as structured games of fetch or learning new tricks. A bored dog is a destructive dog. It’s our responsibility to make sure they have an outlet for their energy and that they get to play with us, their owners. Not allowing your dog to be a dog is a form of cruelty, even if it's unintentional.
By now, you should have a pretty well-behaved young dog. The foundation is there. Now it’s about maintenance and continuing to build on that relationship. Don't teach your puppy that a crazy fit is the best way to get freedom. Continue to reinforce the structure you’ve built. This is when you can start to enjoy more freedom together, because you’ve earned it. You’ve put in the work. If you’re still struggling, don’t despair. It’s never too late. Find the root cause of the issue, and if you need to, seek guidance from a reputable professional. There’s no shame in asking for help.
Training a dog is a journey, not a race. Enjoy the process, stay consistent, and remember to let the puppy be a puppy. That’s how you build a dog you can be proud of.
