When should I start training my puppy?

You can begin training your puppy as early as 8 weeks old. At this stage, focus on socialization, crate training, housebreaking, and teaching their name. Early training builds a foundation for obedience and good manners.

What should I teach my puppy first?

Start with name recognition, focus exercises like 'look', and basic manners such as sit and stay. Introduce gentle leash walking and positive socialization with people and other dogs.

How long should puppy training sessions be?

For puppies under 4 months, keep training sessions to 3–5 minutes, multiple times a day. Short, positive sessions help maintain focus and build good habits without overwhelming your puppy.

What if my puppy is not listening?

If your puppy ignores commands, it may be due to distractions, lack of consistency, or unclear communication. Training in a low-distraction environment and using positive reinforcement can help. Professional training can speed up progress.

Does Integrity Canine offer puppy training in Morristown, TN?

Yes. Integrity Canine offers private puppy lessons and Board & Train programs in Morristown, TN and surrounding areas including Jefferson City, Dandridge, and Knoxville.

Puppy Training Timeline: What to Teach at Each Stage

Kyle Benjamin
Aug 11
2 min read

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting and a little overwhelming. From potty training to teaching good manners, you want to set your dog up for success early. At Integrity Canine, we’ve trained puppies of every breed and temperament here in East Tennessee. This guide breaks down what to teach at each stage of your puppy’s life so they grow into a confident, obedient companion.

Black dog resting its head on a car seat, looking attentively. Soft lighting and neutral interior set a calm mood. No text visible. — Building a solid foundation for your puppy will lead to a lifetime of happiness for both of you.

8–12 Weeks: The Socialization Foundation

This is the most critical window for shaping your puppy’s behavior. Puppies are curious and open to new experiences — which makes this the perfect time to:

Introduce them to a variety of people, dogs, and environments
Start crate training
Begin housebreaking routines
Teach their name and basic focus commands like “look”

Tip: Keep training sessions short and positive. At this age, their attention span is about as long as your average TV commercial.

12–16 Weeks: Basic Commands and Manners

Your puppy is starting to test boundaries. Now’s the time to introduce:

Sit, down, and stay
Gentle leash walking
Handling exercises (touching paws, ears, mouth for vet prep)
Continued socialization with safe dogs and people

Why it matters: Without early structure, puppies often develop bad habits that are much harder to break later.

4–6 Months: Distraction Training

As puppies become adolescents, distractions multiply. We focus on:

Recall (coming when called) in low-distraction environments
Loose leash walking around mild distractions
Extending sit/stay duration
Beginning polite greetings with strangers

This stage is also when behavioral problems like jumping, nipping, or ignoring commands can appear. Addressing them early prevents escalation.

6+ Months: Building Reliability

Your dog is entering the teenage phase — expect some pushback. Now is the part of the puppy training timeline to:

Increase distance, duration, and distractions for all commands
Practice obedience in public spaces
Work on off-leash reliability (in safe, controlled environments)
Reinforce calm behavior at home

If your dog struggles at this stage, our Board & Train program in Morristown can accelerate progress and reset unwanted behaviors.

Puppy Training Timeline: When to Seek Professional Help

While many owners can handle basic training, some puppies need extra guidance — especially if you’re dealing with stubbornness, fear, or aggression. At Integrity Canine, we offer:

Private puppy lessons
Board & Train programs for fast results
Customized training plans for your dog’s personality and your goals

Ready to start your puppy off on the right paw? Contact Integrity Canine today to schedule a free phone consultation.📍 Serving Morristown, Jefferson City, Dandridge, and the Knoxville area.