When it comes to puppy training, there’s no one better to guide you than Ana Dahl, a certified dog trainer with years of experience helping dogs and their owners build strong, positive relationships. With a background as a veterinary technician and a deep understanding of canine behavior, Ana’s approach is rooted in positive reinforcement and real-world application. In this blog, she shares her expertise on puppy dog training, offering practical advice on puppy socialization, potty training, and resilience-building. These are Ana’s words, filled with the knowledge and insight she’s gained from working with countless puppies and their owners—helping them navigate the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) first few weeks of puppyhood.
When I first began training dogs I started in a group class setting. Community classes and puppy play groups filled my days—I loved these classes. I met a ton of dog-loving people, honed my skills with body language and communication, and met a huge variety of dog breeds from Bedlington Terriers to Rhodesian Ridgebacks and everything in between.
Puppy classes were always the most in-demand classes I taught. We naturally want our puppies to get off to a good start. Typically, the desired puppy training, and the way most group classes are structured, includes cue-based training such as loose-leash-walking, sit, down, leave-it, and potty-training. These topics are usually packed into a 6-week class. The challenges I found here were that my fellow dog lovers struggled to address specific scenarios in the home with their pups. There was never enough time to get into the interesting bits of how to reinforce the behaviors they wanted from their puppies or how to apply their learning in the real world.
When I moved into private dog training, this became my focus. How to empower my puppy parents to address situational behavior challenges on their own. I wanted to give them tools that were immediately useful and the know-how to observe an issue and troubleshoot it on their own. I also needed to prioritize the long list of to-do’s that most puppy parents have coming into puppy training and set more reasonable goals. This is what I came up with.
When I first began training dogs I started in a group class setting. Community classes and puppy play groups filled my days—I loved these classes. I met a ton of dog-loving people, honed my skills with body language and communication, and met a huge variety of dog breeds from Bedlington Terriers to Rhodesian Ridgebacks and everything in between.
Puppy classes were always the most in-demand classes I taught. We naturally want our puppies to get off to a good start. Typically, the desired puppy training, and the way most group classes are structured, includes cue-based training such as loose-leash-walking, sit, down, leave-it, and potty-training. These topics are usually packed into a 6-week class. The challenges I found here were that my fellow dog lovers struggled to address specific scenarios in the home with their pups. There was never enough time to get into the interesting bits of how to reinforce the behaviors they wanted from their puppies or how to apply their learning in the real world.
When I moved into private dog training, this became my focus. How to empower my puppy parents to address situational behavior challenges on their own. I wanted to give them tools that were immediately useful and the know-how to observe an issue and troubleshoot it on their own. I also needed to prioritize the long list of to-do’s that most puppy parents have coming into puppy training and set more reasonable goals. This is what I came up with.
Approximate Age: 8 weeks
You have just brought your puppy home— maybe they are 8 weeks, maybe older, regardless, your puppy has had a major life change and needs time to adjust. Don’t throw that big puppy party yet—let your friends and family anticipate the adorableness of that future meeting while you revel in some 1-on-1 time with your new best friend. Take pictures, do cuddles, let your puppy be a puppy. Worry about training next week.* If your puppy is big and brave and tots confident, have a friend over or go for a short walk in town. Be empathetic of your puppy’s mood and, if it is too much, head back home and try again next week.
*Except for potty-training. Definitely worry about potty-training. And yes, you do have to get up at 2AM to let your puppy out. Sorry – I know it sucks.
Approximate Age: 8 weeks
You have just brought your puppy home— maybe they are 8 weeks, maybe older, regardless, your puppy has had a major life change and needs time to adjust. Don’t throw that big puppy party yet—let your friends and family anticipate the adorableness of that future meeting while you revel in some 1-on-1 time with your new best friend. Take pictures, do cuddles, let your puppy be a puppy. Worry about training next week.* If your puppy is big and brave and tots confident, have a friend over or go for a short walk in town. Be empathetic of your puppy’s mood and, if it is too much, head back home and try again next week.
*Except for potty-training. Definitely worry about potty-training. And yes, you do have to get up at 2AM to let your puppy out. Sorry – I know it sucks.
Approximate Age: 9 to 12 weeks
This is my preferred moment to join in and help you and your puppy. Usually, issues have come up and patterns of behavior or potty-training problems have reared their heads, challenges that I love to work through with you. I also start cue training at this point to give us some alternative behaviors to ask for in place of unwanted behaviors such as jumping or grabbing inappropriate objects.
Why is your puppy peeing right inside the doorway and then looking at you proudly? Maybe we have accidentally reinforced peeing inside by waiting to reward with a treat in the cozy interior of the home instead of braving the winter chill for a few more minutes. Maybe our puppy prefers how soft the expensive wool rug is on our sensitive paw beans compared with the prickly artificial turf outside. Yes, an excellent place to pee.
Management is key here. Do we have a puppy proofed area set up? How long can your puppy hold their bladder? Where are we having accidents? What patterns are you seeing? Are we peeing more than normal? Maybe we have a urinary tract infection that needs to be checked out. Are we celebrating our puppy for peeing outside? We should definitely celebrate them—and make sure it’s with a treat right then and there.
Make sure you celebrate your puppy for peeing outside—with a treat immediately after they finish. Reinforcing good potty habits early is a crucial part of puppy training.
When I think of a resilient puppy I think of a confident bold dog that when the frying pan that you had on top of the fridge falls to the floor, jumps a foot, comes over to investigate, then huffs and walks away with an air of annoyance that says – “Mom why are you making such a racket” (yes I am personifying and I’m not going to apologize for it). This is a dog that feels fear but can bounce back stronger and more confident than before.
How do we build resilience in our puppies? This is both complex and simple. I think of it as good parenting or a supportive teacher. We help when they need help but encourage them to figure out problems within their abilities so as to increase confidence in their own abilities. We integrate agency and choice into our training. We encourage natural behaviors—running, jumping, climbing, sniffing, scavenging, licking, and chewing. We fulfill their need for safety while encouraging them to be curious about the world.
This one is a big one for me (and probably every other trainer out there). From 3 to 12 (maybe 14) weeks, our puppy has what is commonly known as their “critical socialization period”. This is a period in which our puppies are more open emotionally to new things but also a period in which experiences, be they positive or fear-inducing, have a more powerful and lasting impact on our puppy’s future behavior as an adult.
I recommend attending as many puppy play groups as possible. Play dates with mature fully vaccinated friendly dogs, and gentle exposure to people, places, and things that you want to be a part of you and your puppies future life. Do as much as your puppy seems ready for but focus on quality of experience; make new things fun and safe.
Here is often where I come up against a wall of fear placed by veterinary recommendations, previous bad experiences, or social media. Please don’t place your puppy in a bubble. By the time your puppy has had their last vaccine, their critical socialization period is over. All the work that is so integral to do while your puppy is in this brief stage of mental development is missed. COVID years are what I think of when I think of poorly socialized dogs and kids, both being deprived of corporeal interactions with people and the world at large.
I am not one to take an unknown person’s word on anything without verifying, especially if I’ve had experts tell me otherwise. So I’ve included some links and expert advice below to help you decide what is best for your situation and your puppy. If you still have fears of infection or live on a cattle farm filled with Leptospirosis, bringing your puppy out in a baby carriage, a backpack, or on a car ride, are safer ways to do some exposure with limited contact with vectors such as standing water, urine, or unvaccinated dogs.
Approximate Age: 9 to 12 weeks
This is my preferred moment to join in and help you and your puppy. Usually, issues have come up and patterns of behavior or potty-training problems have reared their heads, challenges that I love to work through with you. I also start cue training at this point to give us some alternative behaviors to ask for in place of unwanted behaviors such as jumping or grabbing inappropriate objects.
Why is your puppy peeing right inside the doorway and then looking at you proudly? Maybe we have accidentally reinforced peeing inside by waiting to reward with a treat in the cozy interior of the home instead of braving the winter chill for a few more minutes. Maybe our puppy prefers how soft the expensive wool rug is on our sensitive paw beans compared with the prickly artificial turf outside. Yes, an excellent place to pee.
Management is key here. Do we have a puppy proofed area set up? How long can your puppy hold their bladder? Where are we having accidents? What patterns are you seeing? Are we peeing more than normal? Maybe we have a urinary tract infection that needs to be checked out. Are we celebrating our puppy for peeing outside? We should definitely celebrate them—and make sure it’s with a treat right then and there.
Make sure you celebrate your puppy for peeing outside—with a treat immediately after they finish. Reinforcing good potty habits early is a crucial part of puppy training.
When I think of a resilient puppy I think of a confident bold dog that when the frying pan that you had on top of the fridge falls to the floor, jumps a foot, comes over to investigate, then huffs and walks away with an air of annoyance that says – “Mom why are you making such a racket” (yes I am personifying and I’m not going to apologize for it). This is a dog that feels fear but can bounce back stronger and more confident than before.
How do we build resilience in our puppies? This is both complex and simple. I think of it as good parenting or a supportive teacher. We help when they need help but encourage them to figure out problems within their abilities so as to increase confidence in their own abilities. We integrate agency and choice into our training. We encourage natural behaviors—running, jumping, climbing, sniffing, scavenging, licking, and chewing. We fulfill their need for safety while encouraging them to be curious about the world.
This one is a big one for me (and probably every other trainer out there). From 3 to 12 (maybe 14) weeks, our puppy has what is commonly known as their “critical socialization period”. This is a period in which our puppies are more open emotionally to new things but also a period in which experiences, be they positive or fear-inducing, have a more powerful and lasting impact on our puppy’s future behavior as an adult.
I recommend attending as many puppy play groups as possible. Play dates with mature fully vaccinated friendly dogs, and gentle exposure to people, places, and things that you want to be a part of you and your puppies future life. Do as much as your puppy seems ready for but focus on quality of experience; make new things fun and safe.
Here is often where I come up against a wall of fear placed by veterinary recommendations, previous bad experiences, or social media. Please don’t place your puppy in a bubble. By the time your puppy has had their last vaccine, their critical socialization period is over. All the work that is so integral to do while your puppy is in this brief stage of mental development is missed. COVID years are what I think of when I think of poorly socialized dogs and kids, both being deprived of corporeal interactions with people and the world at large.
I am not one to take an unknown person’s word on anything without verifying, especially if I’ve had experts tell me otherwise. So I’ve included some links and expert advice below to help you decide what is best for your situation and your puppy. If you still have fears of infection or live on a cattle farm filled with Leptospirosis, bringing your puppy out in a baby carriage, a backpack, or on a car ride, are safer ways to do some exposure with limited contact with vectors such as standing water, urine, or unvaccinated dogs.
Still unsure? Here’s what the experts say:
There is so much more to talk about but I’ve already passed my allotted time. Basically, have fun, let your puppy do puppy things, and take lots of pictures. They grow up so fast.
—Ana
Still unsure? Here’s what the experts say:
There is so much more to talk about but I’ve already passed my allotted time. Basically, have fun, let your puppy do puppy things, and take lots of pictures. They grow up so fast.
—Ana
Raising a puppy is an exciting journey filled with challenges, learning, and plenty of adorable moments. The foundation you build in these early weeks through puppy training, socialization, and resilience-building will shape your dog’s confidence and behavior for life. Remember, puppy training isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about fostering a strong bond, creating positive experiences, and helping your puppy navigate the world with curiosity and confidence.
As Ana Dahl emphasizes, the key is to set realistic goals, reinforce positive behaviors, and provide a safe yet enriching environment for your puppy to thrive. Whether you’re working on potty training, managing behaviors, or socializing your pup, consistency and patience are essential.
If you need guidance, don’t hesitate to seek professional dog training services to help you and your puppy succeed. Enjoy every moment—puppyhood goes by quickly! Happy training!
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