There are wide and varying opinions on the training of puppies but all seem to agree that the first few weeks after pup comes home are crucial. Like the first few years of a childs development, the first few weeks of a pups life at home will dictate how the rest of the training goes. It is a delicate balance of love and discipline. If you screw up, then you spend the next few months or even years un-doing your mistakes. If you do it right, then the next few months and years of training and finishing the dog become much easier and cohesive. What makes a smooth transition from pup leaving his litter-mates and becoming a member of your pack? Here are a few key things I have gleened from my reading.

Hold off on the collar purchase.
The first thing you want to do when you get your new pup home is strap that shiny new collar around his neck with the cute little dog tags. Wrong! As if the first day away from his siblings isn’t traumatic enough, now you’ve slung a noose around his neck to make sure he knows he’s yours. Instead, try waiting a week or two until you have earned pups trust before you put the collar on. The first few days should be carefully planned as to avoid any negative experiences in pups new environment. Anything frightening or painful that happens here, he will associate with you and/or his new home. Not good. There should be no training going on yet, just playing with and holding your new puppy. Give hime time to get familiar with his new surroundings. Make sure that he has a safe place that is all his own. A cave or den to run and hide in, and be sure the rest of the family knows he is not to be bothered when he is in his cave – this is his private place, a safe haven. An airline crate works great.

Stay away from strange or scary circumstances.
The last thing you want to do is bring pup home and set him down on a cold tile floor or linoleum. He’s hasn’t got used to his new legs yet, and a slippery floor can be a truly frightening experience for a young pup. His new home is strange enough with all the weird noises and scary new people to get used to. Try to avoid other animals, especially a dog or cat that may not be so friendly with pup. You don’t want a young pup that is afraid of other dogs, it won’t be long before he has to learn to work together with other dogs while hunting. If pup is going to be living in the house, remove all tempations for mischief. I call it baby proofing your house. Like a todller that just learned how to walk, the next thing they do is explore and get into everything within reach. If you don’t want pup to mess with it, remove it from the premises. Try to create an environment where he can’t make a mistake or get into trouble.

Go outside and play.
If your wife is anything like mine, pup will be lucky to ever set foot inside the house. I’m hoping to get him a spot just inside the back door where he can sleep on a cold winter night, but I’m not counting on it. Much of his time is going to be spent outside. The best thing for pup would be a fenced in backyard where he can romp and play freely without getting into trouble. Again, you want to control the environment so that you remove any tempations or hazards. You want to set your new pup up for successes not failures. And when he does something right praise the heck out of him. Even when he goes potty in the right spot or eats his dinner. The first week at home should be a time to adjust and explore, there should be no expectations or intense training sessions. This is the time to get know your pup, enjoy it.