Bringing home a new puppy is one of life’s greatest joys. They’re cute, they’re fluffy, they smell like corn chips for some reason, and they make you believe in unconditional love again. But let’s be real: puppies are also tiny chaos machines wrapped in fur. Training one requires patience, consistency, and a sense of humor.

So if you want your puppy to grow into a well-behaved best friend instead of a four-legged roommate who eats your socks and judges your life choices, here are 15 tips to help.

1. Start Training Early Yes, puppies are adorable. But “adorable” becomes less charming when they’re chewing through your Wi-Fi router. The earlier you set rules, the faster they’ll learn what’s cool (sit) and what’s not (chewing drywall).
2. Consistency is Key Dogs thrive on routine. If you let them on the couch once, guess what? That couch is now theirs. Forever. Be consistent with commands and expectations.
3. Keep Training Sessions Short Think kindergarten attention spans. Five to ten minutes at a time is plenty. Long lectures about “why we don’t eat mom’s shoes” won’t work—they’re not listening.
4. Positive Reinforcement Works Wonders Treats, belly rubs, praise—it’s basically puppy currency. Bribery works. (Yes, you’re that parent now.)
5. Use Clear Commands “Sit” means sit. Not “sit, sweetie, if you feel like it, after you’re done sniffing.” Keep it short, sharp, and repeatable.
6. Socialization is a Must Introduce your pup to people, other dogs, and different environments early. A well-socialized dog is confident—and less likely to bark like an unhinged alarm system every time the Amazon driver shows up.
7. Crate Training = Your Best Friend Think of the crate as your puppy’s bedroom, not a doggy prison. It gives them a safe, cozy place to relax and saves your furniture from becoming a chew buffet.
8. Potty Training Requires Patience Accidents will happen. (On your rug. Right before guests arrive. Naturally.) Take them out frequently, reward success, and resist the urge to give dramatic TED Talks about your ruined carpet.
9. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise A tired puppy is a good puppy. Zoomies at midnight? That’s on you. Walks, playtime, and fetch will save your sanity.
10. Redirect, Don’t Punish Caught your puppy chewing a chair leg? Don’t scold—redirect to a toy. It’s like telling a toddler: “Hey, maybe don’t eat the crayons, try this apple instead.”
11. Teach Bite Inhibition Puppy teeth are like little shark daggers. When they nip too hard, yelp and stop play. They’ll learn that gentle mouths = more fun.
12. Be Patient with Leash Training Walking nicely on a leash doesn’t come naturally. Puppies are basically furry kites in the wind. Use a short leash, reward calm walking, and embrace the awkwardness.
13. Ignore Bad Behavior (Sometimes) Dogs love attention—good or bad. If they’re barking for no reason, sometimes ignoring works better than scolding. Like that one co-worker who thrives on drama.
14. Practice, Practice, Practice Repetition builds habits. Train daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Yes, it feels repetitive. Yes, your puppy will thank you later.
15. Celebrate Small Wins Puppy training is a marathon, not a sprint. Every “sit,” “stay,” and accident-free night deserves a celebration. Champagne for you, treats for them.

Final Thoughts Getting a new puppy is exciting, messy, and sometimes overwhelming—but with patience, consistency, and a dash of humor, you’ll survive the chaos. Remember, every good dog started as a mischief-making puppy. And someday, when your dog is calmly lying at your feet instead of eating your flip-flops, you’ll look back and think, worth it.

P.S. While you’re busy teaching your new best friend how to sit, stay, and not steal your socks, let us handle the “other” part of puppy ownership. At PooFreeCo, we scoop the poop and keep your yard fresh—so you can focus on training the fun stuff and enjoying the puppy cuddles.