5 Essential First Steps to Take with Your New Puppy

 

Bringing home a new puppy is one of life’s most exciting moments—and it sets the foundation for a happy, well-behaved furry family member.  From relationship building to key commands that establish structure and safety, these foundational steps will help you and your pup develop lifelong trust and communication.

1. Build Your Relationship Through Hand Feeding

Just like children, puppies learn and absorb everything around them from day one. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to build a strong bond is through hand feeding. Instead of just pouring kibble in a bowl, hand feed your puppy during meal times. This creates positive associations and gives you an opportunity to reinforce basic behaviors, like name recognition.

• Use your kibble or treats in a treat pouch.
• Call your puppy’s name and reward them when they respond.
• Keep training sessions short—about 10 to 15 minutes—to avoid overwhelming or frustrating your puppy.
• After training, let your pup enjoy free playtime to burn off energy.

This technique not only establishes you as a leader but also encourages your puppy to focus on you, which helps in all future training.

2. Teach the “Place” Command to Set Boundaries

The “place” command is a personal favorite and a game changer in managing your dog’s behavior, especially when you have guests or are eating dinner.

• Choose a spot like a mat, bed, or towel that serves as your dog’s “place.”
• Use a leash, treats, and positive markers like “yes” to encourage your puppy.
• When you say “place,” guide your pup to the spot and reward them for staying there.
• Introduce a “break” command so your dog knows when they are allowed to leave the place.

This command teaches your puppy about boundaries and self-control, helping reduce anxiety and confusion with clear expectations.

3. Establish the “Stay” Command Alongside “Place”

The “stay” command reinforces patience and impulse control by asking your puppy to maintain their position until released.

• After your dog goes to “place,” introduce the “stay” cue.
• Reward your pup while they remain in the stay position, not after telling them to “stay” (which can be confusing).
• Remember, it’s about rewarding the behavior as it happens, not the cue alone.
• Gradually increase the time your puppy stays, always rewarding calm compliance.

Consistent stays build your pup’s focus and help you manage situations that require them to be calm and settled.

4. Crate Training: Creating a Safe Haven

A crate is much more than a confinement tool—it’s your puppy’s safe retreat and a critical part in preventing destructive behaviors and easing anxiety.

• Introduce the crate positively with treats and praise.
• Never force your puppy into the crate; allow them to explore it voluntarily.
• Begin by rewarding your dog for going inside and gradually work toward closing the door.
• Use commands like “crate” paired with food rewards to create enthusiasm.
• Implement leash control to secure your puppy inside until you issue a release command.

A well-trained crate becomes a comforting place your dog can rely on throughout life.

5. Master the Recall Command for Safety and Freedom

Recall—the ability to come back to you on command—is vital for your puppy’s safety and your peace of mind.

• Start indoors in a quiet environment with minimal distractions.
• Use your dog’s name and the word “come,” along with gentle leash encouragement if necessary.
• Reward your pup generously when they return.
• Use a “break” command to signal the end of recall training.
• Progressively add distance, distractions, and duration to make recall reliable in all settings.
  

A strong recall means your pup can safely enjoy off-leash adventures with you.

Bonus Tip: Prevent Resource Guarding Early

Resource guarding happens when a dog aggressively protects valued items like food or toys. To minimize this risk:

• Incorporate hand feeding as mentioned earlier.
• Work carefully with your puppy around their food bowl by occasionally offering treats by hand while they eat.
• Avoid letting children perform this exercise; keep it to adults who understand the steps.
• If your dog shows guarding signs beyond six months of age, consult a professional trainer immediately.

Early attention can prevent serious behavioral problems later.

Starting your puppy’s journey right with these foundational steps ensures clarity, safety, and fun for both of you. Training is a process of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

Remember, every dog learns at their own pace. Celebrate each small victory, and you’ll build a strong, trusting bond with your puppy that lasts a lifetime.

This blog post is based on insights shared by Tom Davis in his YouTube video: 

www.youtube.com/@tomdavisofficial

Uncle Billy's Doggy Daycare has no affiliation with this content creator but does find the information quite useful!