Basic training for your new puppy

Originally published in LEO on January 12, 2000 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

From The Pet Guy Archives

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it's also the beginning of one of the most important relationships you'll ever build with a pet. In this 2000 column, Jeff Seidenfaden explains why early training, consistency, and patience are the keys to raising a well-mannered dog while helping families avoid many of the behavioral problems that lead pets to shelters.

Although dog training methods have evolved over the past two decades, the importance of starting early, communicating clearly, and building positive habits remains just as true today.

Editor's Note

This article is presented as originally published in January 2000. Our understanding of canine behavior and training has continued to advance since publication. Modern trainers now emphasize reward-based, positive reinforcement techniques while discouraging punishment-based methods. Readers are encouraged to use current, science-based training practices and consult qualified professional trainers when needed.

Original 2000 Column

The following article is transcribed from the original publication with only minor formatting changes for online readability.

The holidays have come and gone, and there are probably people who didn't heed the warning that a pet is not always the best gift. If this sounds familiar (maybe it is even you who are in this situation), then I am here to help make this new pet a comfortable addition to your family.

Yeah, I have to agree it is pretty cute to see a little puppy under the tree with a big red bow around its collar. (Of course I wouldn't want to see the "present" the puppy left under the tree, but we'll get to that later.) But if this is one of the presents Little Susie had to have, then prepare for big responsibility. It is one that could mean the difference between life and death for that pet. Millions of animals each year end up in shelters across the country because of lack of training. As a dog gets older, it will, like a child, develop habits and routines. As the "parent," it is your responsibility to teach it right from wrong. This means hours of house-training and practicing good manners (not jumping, barking, play biting, etc.). The effectiveness of your training will coincide in large part with the amount of time you spend working with your dog.

No dog is too young to start learning. An 8-week-old puppy can even be taught to sit on command. It probably won't sit for long but, at 10 or 12 weeks, wouldn't it be nice to have the basis for that command? Of course, it is also never too late to start training. Any new puppy or old dog can learn—it's just up to the owner to show it how to learn. Remember, our pets take after us. They learn what they see. If you are the sort of person who answers the phone on the first ring, you will most likely have an active puppy. But if you are more laid back, then your puppy will be, too.

Don't expect too much out of your new dog too quickly. It may take a few weeks to develop proper skills such as staying, not jumping and so on. Be consistent. Reward your puppy only with small treats. If you give a full-size biscuit, you're going to fill it up, and it may give up on learning. Use little treats and don't be stingy with them.

Start with some of the basics like "sit." When your pet is standing, lightly push its rear into the sit position and say "SIT." Make it stay in the sit position for a few seconds and give it a treat while saying the word SIT again. After doing this four or five times, try it without pushing the rear down. It will take the dog a minute or two to comprehend, but it will. If not, push it back into the sit position and repeat. Use the word frequently and be consistent. If one person in the house uses "sit" and another uses "down," it will be difficult for the puppy to learn.

Another handy training trick is to teach a "potty" command. When your dog goes to the bathroom outside, continuously repeat "potty." (Your neighbors may think you have lost your mind, but who cares? They're not the ones cleaning the stains from your carpet.) Follow it up with "GOOD BOY!" (Or girl.) Then when it is finished, reward it with love and affection only. No treat should be used for potty training. The last thing you want to do after your dog goes to the bathroom is to fill it up with treats. It will surely cause an accident later.

Avoid old training techniques such as rubbing the nose in the accident. Dogs are denning animals and keep a clean den. If your dog relieves himself in your house, you have not taught it that your house is his den. Once it knows the routine, it will be a wonderful and well-behaved new member of the family.

Basic training for your new puppy: The Pet Guy Perspective Today

If there's one thing that has become even clearer over the past 25 years, it's that puppies learn best through positive experiences.

Today, trainers encourage using rewards, praise, consistency, and patience to teach desired behaviors while avoiding punishment or intimidation. Short, frequent training sessions are generally more effective than long ones, and socialization during the first few months of life has become recognized as one of the most important parts of raising a confident, well-adjusted dog.

One recommendation in this article has evolved with modern training. While gently guiding a puppy into a sitting position was commonly taught at the time, many trainers now prefer "luring" the puppy into a sit using a treat held just above its nose. This encourages the dog to offer the behavior willingly rather than relying on physical guidance.

The heart of this article, however, remains timeless. Puppies aren't born knowing how to live in our homes. They depend on us to patiently teach them what we expect. Consistency, kindness, and daily practice are still the foundation of raising a happy, confident companion.

Continue Reading in The Pet Guy Archives

This article is part of The Pet Guy Archives, a growing collection of Jeff Seidenfaden's original newspaper columns preserving decades of trusted pet care advice, memorable animal stories, and practical guidance for pet owners.

Explore more articles covering puppy training, dog behavior, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, exotic pets, and responsible pet ownership.

About The Pet Guy Archives

The Pet Guy Archives preserve the original newspaper columns written by Jeff Seidenfaden, nationally recognized pet expert, television host, newspaper columnist, and animal advocate. Originally published beginning in the 1990s, these articles have been carefully restored for today's readers while preserving the original voice and perspective of each column.

About the Author

Jeff Seidenfaden is an entrepreneur, former television host, newspaper columnist, and lifelong animal advocate best known as The Pet Guy. For more than three decades, he has educated pet owners through television, newspapers, radio, public appearances, and community outreach, helping families build happier, healthier relationships with their pets.