Essential Activities & Habits to Build with Your Puppy

🐾Raising a well-rounded, confident, and well-behaved puppy takes consistency, patience, and plenty of positive experiences. Here’s a curated list of engaging and practical things you can do to set your puppy up for success:

Socialization & Exposure

✔️Bring treats everywhere ~ Reward good behavior and build positive associations with new experiences.

✔️Daily outings ~ Expose your puppy to different sights, sounds, and surfaces (grass, pavement, sand, etc.). This is part of socialization.

✔️Big adventures twice a week ~ Take your puppy to pet-friendly stores, outdoor cafés, or quiet parks to build confidence. This is part of socialization.

✔️Sit and observe ~ Let your puppy watch people, bikes, and other dogs from a safe distance, helping them learn to stay calm in new environments. This is big part of socialization.

✔️Puppy playdates only ~ Avoid dog parks where interactions can be unpredictable; instead, arrange one-on-one play with well-matched, friendly dogs.

✔️No touching while with you ~ Teach your puppy that being held is their safe space and not an invitation for strangers to reach in.

Building Good Habits

✔️Practice “Sit” for greetings ~ Prevent jumping by making “Sit” the default way your puppy says hello. 

✔️Reward eye contact on walks ~ Reinforce focus and engagement by praising them when they check in with you.

✔️Wipe paws after outdoor time ~ Start this habit early to prevent messes and make grooming easier. Reward for belly rubs, ear touches and laying down on their side. 

✔️PLACE or crate training during mealtime ~ Encourage calm behavior by teaching your puppy to settle while you cook or eat.

✔️Call and reward ~ Build a reliable recall by always making “Come” a rewarding experience. Make them successful all the time with a long line.

Training & Enrichment

✔️Short, fun training sessions ~ Keep training sessions around 5-10 minutes, focusing on basic commands and impulse control. Make them wanting more. 

✔️ Chew toy practice ~ Redirect natural chewing instincts to appropriate items to save your furniture and shoes! Teach them which toys are acceptable to chew and which are not. 

✔️Confidence-building exercises ~ Introduce tunnels, wobble boards, or simple obstacle courses to enhance coordination. Help them push into uncomfortable positions while showing them they have no reason to fear. 

✔️Introduce handling ~ Regularly touch their paws, ears, and mouth to make vet visits and grooming stress-free.

✔️Name recognition ~ Say their name happily and reward them when they respond. Start in a comfortable, low stimulation area first to begin the base level. 

Bonding & Relaxation

✔️Calm cuddles ~ Teach your puppy to relax with gentle petting and massage. Elongated calm smooth strokes or gentle massaging behind ears and chin. 

✔️Structured independence ~ Help prevent separation anxiety by allowing your puppy to spend time alone in a safe space. Have them go to a playpen or crate after walks and playtime when they are tired. 

✔️Scent games ~ Hide treats around the house and let your puppy use their nose to find them. Or use dog puzzles. 

✔️Gentle tug or fetch ~ Play interactive games that strengthen your bond while teaching impulse control. Teach them to drop it and have an off switch. 

By making these habits part of your daily routine, you’ll help your puppy grow into a confident, well-behaved companion. Have fun, be patient, and enjoy the journey!