Puppy Training Made Easy with Consistent Routines

As a professional trainer, I am often asked how I can make progress so quickly with young puppies. I specialize in puppy training, specifically puppy training camp. The puppies come to me straight from the breeder at 8 weeks old and live in my home for the duration of their training, typically for 4 weeks. In that time, I am able to crate train, house train, leash train and begin basic obedience. So, what’s the secret to being able to make so much progress? A consistent routine and schedule. The first few weeks with your puppy are critical for establishing good behaviors. 

Feeding Schedule

Having puppies on a feeding schedule is key to getting on the right foot with housetraining. When food is offered, I leave it down for 15-30 minutes and then remove any remaining food until the next scheduled feeding time. Young puppies should be fed three times per day and then transitioned to twice daily as adults. Puppies that are fed on a consistent schedule will soon be on a consistent potty schedule, making housetraining more predictable. 

Schedule Bathroom Breaks

Puppies should be taken outside approximately every 2 hours when awake and active. Also after any change in activity like waking up from a nap or after play. As the puppy gets older and has more bladder control, you can increase the time between bathroom breaks. Taking your puppy out on a schedule helps prevent accidents. If your pup is still having accidents, change your schedule to go out every hour until you are no longer having accidents and then begin to increase the time between potty breaks. Prevention is key in housebreaking. (Read more here about how I utilize bell training to speed up the house training process.)

Nap time

Like young children, puppies who are overstimulated and tired are often cranky. Rather than whining and crying like you would see in human children, tired puppies tend to be mouthier and nip. I keep all training camp puppies on a scheduled crated nap. It is important to have the scheduled nap in a crate so that the activity of the house doesn’t disturb your pup and he gets a restful sleep. Otherwise, any movement may cause him to wake up and follow you around the house, resulting in a nonproductive nap. This also helps your pup learn how to be alone, preventing future separation anxiety issues. 

Physical and Mental Exercise Breaks

It is important to make room in your puppy’s schedule for some physical exercise. A walk or game of fetch is great for burning off some energy to keep your puppy happy and well-behaved. Mental enrichment is arguably even more important than physical activity. Training sessions are great for mental stimulation and also increase the bond between you and your dog. Puzzle toys are another easy way to provide mental enrichment. (Check out my blog on mental enrichment here.)

Consistent Bedtime

Young puppies require a lot of sleep. They are growing at a rapid rate and need their rest. Set a bedtime schedule and stick to it. To help make sure you both get a good night sleep, be sure that your pup is ready for bedtime by providing him with some physical exercise about an hour before bed. I prefer this activity to be a walk so that at the same time he is stimulated to use the bathroom and will be ready to sleep through the night. I typically remove water about an hour before bedtime except for a small drink after our walk. I will then begin the wind down process, making sure the puppy is calm and relaxed before bed and then take him out for one final potty break. 

Sample Schedule

Here is what a typical day looks like for a puppy enrolled in my training camp. 

• 6:00am Wake up, immediately go from crate to outside to potty. 
• 6:15-6:45am Breakfast
• 7:00am 2nd potty break
• 7:15-7:45am Quiet time with chew bone or puzzle toy while I enjoy a coffee
• 8:00am Short am training session
• 8:15-8:45 Leash walk
• 9:00-10:30am Crated Nap
• 10:30am Potty Break
• 10:45am-12:00pm Short training session followed by play time
• 12:00-12:30pm Lunch
• 12:30-1:00 Potty break followed by leash walk
• 1:30-3:00pm Crated Nap
• 3:00 Potty Break
• 3:00-5:00 Supervised free time in house
• 5:00 Potty Break
• 5:15-5:30 Short PM training session
• 5:30-6:00 PM Dinner
• 6:00pm Potty Break
• 6:15-8:00 Supervised free time in house
• 8:00pm Potty Break
• 8:15-9:15 Active play time (fetch, tug, off leash walking outside, etc.)
• 9:15 Last Potty Break
• 9:30pm Bedtime

Of course, every day doesn’t always follow the schedule completely according to plan. Some days will look a little different and things need some adjusting. Many people may not have the ability to keep their day quite as structured as what happens in training camp. That is completely ok, but strive to keep the nap, feeding and bedtime schedule on track as closely as possible. Puppies gain confidence in knowing what comes next. They are less anxious when they know what to expect and what is expected of them. If you have a new puppy or are planning to bring one home, try a schedule like this but tailored to fit your routine. A daily schedule instantly adds structure to your pup’s life!  I think you will be surprised at how fast it helps your new pup adjust to your family! 

Also be sure to check out my new puppy supply checklist to make sure you are off to a good start!