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A vet/trainer-approved, age-by-age puppy training schedule (8 weeks–12 months) that maps potty rhythm, crate comfort, bite inhibition, recall, leash manners, and socialization using short, positive sessions.
Equipment
- Crate or playpen
- 4–6 ft leash + harness/collar
- Treat pouch (optional)
- Kong/lick mat/long chew
- Measuring spoon for treat sizing (optional)
Food ingredients
- Tools
- Soft pea-sized treats high value, fast to eat
- Clicker or marker word “Yes!”
- 4 –6 ft leash + flat collar/harness
- Crate or playpen
- Kong / lick mat / long chew
- Poop bags + enzymatic cleaner
- Daily Highlights by Age quick reference
- 8 weeks: potty every 45–60 min awake; 4–6 × 1–2 min training bursts; many naps.
- 10 –12 weeks: potty every 60–90 min; 6–8 micro-sessions 1–3 min; daily socialization (pair with food).
- 3 –4 months: potty every 90–120 min; begin short outdoor leash work vaccines permitting; 5–10 s mat/settle.
- 5 –6 months: potty every 2–3 hrs; add light distractions; alone-time 5→20 min with stuffed Kong.
- 7 –9 months: generalize cues in new places; nose games/shaping/tricks.
- 10 –12 months: longer age-appropriate walks; variable rewards; weekly review block.
Operation steps
- Core Daily Steps (do these every day)
- Name & Check-In — Say the name → eye contact → mark (“Yes!”) → treat; 1–2 minutes, several times/day.
- Potty Rhythm — Outside after sleep, play, meals, excitement; same spot; reward calmly after finishing.
- Bite Inhibition & Trade — Provide long chew; if teeth touch skin/clothes, redirect or trade (present treat → release → mark → return chew).
- Crate = Calm — Toss treat in, pup enters, mark/reward; short door-closed moments with stuffed Kong; open before fuss escalates.
- Leash Foundations Indoors — Pay generously for slack leash and position near your side; 1–3 minute mini-sessions.
- Sit/Down/Stay (Micro-Reps) — 3–5 reps at a time; quit while your puppy still wants more.
- Recall Games — Two-person ping-pong recalls or hide-and-seek; cue once, mark the turn toward you, jackpot on arrival.
- Handling & Grooming — Touch ears/paws, brief brush/clipper noise → treat; build vet/groomer comfort.
- Age-Based Schedule (expand as needed)
- 8 Weeks (2 months) — Set the Rhythm
- Potty: every 45–60 minutes while awake + after sleep/play/meals.
- Awake window: 60–90 minutes, then nap.
- Training: 4–6 micro-sessions/day (1–2 minutes each).
- Sample cycle: wake & potty → breakfast → 2 min name/target → play → nap; repeat through the day; quiet late-night potty as needed.
- 10–12 Weeks — Socialize the World
- Potty: every 60–90 minutes.
- Socialization: daily new sights/sounds/surfaces/people paired with treats.
- Training: 6–8 micro-sessions (1–3 minutes).
- Add: gentle handling, short car rides, sound desensitization.
- 3–4 Months — Skills Stick
- Potty: every 90–120 minutes.
- Leash: short outdoor walks if vaccinated; pay for slack leash.
- Stay/Place: 5–10 seconds calm on a mat with frequent rewards.
- Recall: long-line outdoors; jackpot fast sprints to you.
- 5–6 Months — Teen Brain Incoming
- Potty: every 2–3 hours; adolescence may spike accidents—stay consistent.
- Impulse control: add easy distractions to sit/down/stay.
- Leash: change direction before pulling works; reward check-ins.
- Alone-time: 5 → 20 minutes with stuffed Kong.
- 7–9 Months — Proof & Generalize
- Practice everywhere: home, street corners, pet-friendly stores.
- Cue once; if ignored, make it easier, then rebuild.
- Add mental work: nose games, shaping, trick training.
- 10–12 Months — Young Adult Habits
- Fewer naps; longer age-appropriate walks.
- Shift to variable rewards (sometimes treat, sometimes praise/play).
- Keep a weekly “review” of recall, leash, and settle.
note
• Session length: 1–3 minutes per mini-session; 6–10 mini-sessions/day beat one long block.
• Reinforcement: pay generously for calm, check-ins, and coming when called; behavior repeated = behavior reinforced.
• Management: supervise or contain; prevent rehearsal of chewing/indoor pottying.
• Potty troubleshooting: accidents are information—tighten the rhythm and supervise; clean with enzymatic cleaner.
• Safety: adjust for breed, health, growth plates; keep play low-impact for large/giant breeds.
• Progress timeline: potty rhythm 2–4 weeks; indoor recall 1–2 weeks; outdoor recall 4–8+ weeks; loose-leash is months, not days.
• Printing: export this card or the “Daily Highlights by Age” list to PDF for a fridge-friendly checklist.
• Reinforcement: pay generously for calm, check-ins, and coming when called; behavior repeated = behavior reinforced.
• Management: supervise or contain; prevent rehearsal of chewing/indoor pottying.
• Potty troubleshooting: accidents are information—tighten the rhythm and supervise; clean with enzymatic cleaner.
• Safety: adjust for breed, health, growth plates; keep play low-impact for large/giant breeds.
• Progress timeline: potty rhythm 2–4 weeks; indoor recall 1–2 weeks; outdoor recall 4–8+ weeks; loose-leash is months, not days.
• Printing: export this card or the “Daily Highlights by Age” list to PDF for a fridge-friendly checklist.
