The Core Principle: Positive Reinforcement

Modern dog training is built on one evidence-based principle: behaviours that are rewarded are repeated, and behaviours that are ignored (or do not produce rewards) fade away. Punishment-based training (shouting, physical corrections, sprays) creates fear and anxiety without teaching the desired behaviour. Reward-based training produces confident, happy dogs who enjoy learning.

Toilet Training

  1. 1

    Take outside every 1–2 hours and after every meal, nap and play

    Puppies under 12 weeks cannot hold their bladder for more than 1–2 hours. Take them to the same outdoor spot consistently. Wait patiently — sniffing around is the pre-toilet signal. The moment they go, immediately say a consistent word (“toilet”, “outside”) and reward with a treat and praise. Over time they associate the word with the action.

  2. 2

    Never punish accidents inside

    The puppy does not understand the connection between an accident that happened minutes ago and your reaction now. Clean up quietly with an enzymatic cleaner (regular cleaners leave scent traces that attract them back to the same spot). Supervision prevents accidents — watch for circling and sniffing, which signal imminent toileting.

  3. 3

    Crate training supports toilet training

    Puppies instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area. A correctly sized crate (just big enough to stand up and turn around) encourages the puppy to hold on until taken outside. Never leave a puppy in a crate for longer than their age in months +1 hours (e.g. a 3-month-old puppy should not be crated for more than 4 hours).

Teaching Sit

  1. 4

    Lure with a treat, then mark and reward

    Hold a treat at the puppy’s nose. Slowly move it back over their head — their bottom naturally goes down as they follow the treat with their nose. The moment their bottom touches the ground, say “Yes!” or click (if using a clicker) and immediately give the treat. After several repetitions, add the word “Sit” just before you lure. Eventually the word alone triggers the behaviour.

Socialisation — The Critical Window

The socialisation window closes around 12–16 weeks of age. During this period, expose your puppy (safely and positively) to as many different people, sounds, environments, animals and experiences as possible. Undersocialised puppies often develop fear and anxiety issues as adults. Puppy preschool classes (after their first vaccination) are excellent for structured socialisation.

Key Training Principles

  • Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes: Puppies have very short attention spans. End on a success.
  • Reward within 2 seconds: Longer delays mean the puppy connects the reward to whatever they are doing now, not what you are rewarding.
  • Be consistent: Every family member uses the same commands and rules. Inconsistency is the most common cause of slow progress.
  • Manage the environment: Put shoes away, use baby gates, and supervise to prevent practice of unwanted behaviours (chewing, jumping, counter-surfing).
Puppy preschoolA 4–6 week puppy preschool course (most vet clinics offer them, $100–200) provides structured socialisation, trainer guidance and answers to your specific questions. Strongly recommended for first-time dog owners. The investment pays off in years of better behaviour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start the day you bring them home — typically 8 weeks old. Very young puppies can learn their name, simple commands (sit, come), leash manners and toilet training from day one. The idea that you must wait until 6 months to train is outdated. Early positive training during the socialisation window (8–16 weeks) has the biggest long-term impact on behaviour and temperament.
Puppy biting (mouthing) is normal play behaviour. When a puppy bites too hard: stop play immediately and turn away or walk away. Resume play after 10–30 seconds. This mimics how puppies teach each other — the fun stops when biting happens. Consistently redirect to appropriate chew toys. Never use your hands as play toys. Most puppies learn bite inhibition by 4–5 months with consistent responses. Adult teeth come in at around 6 months; biting typically reduces significantly around this time.