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Puppy training schedule: what to teach, and when

Quick answer

A puppy training schedule starts the day your puppy comes home, often at about 8 weeks: name, house training, a crate and a sit before meals. The first three months are the main socialisation window, so gentle, safe introductions start before the vaccines are finished. (AKC, PDSA, AKC, AVSAB)

By 6 months, aim for progress with house training, recall, polite play and short spells alone; by one year, loose-leash walking and the basics with distractions. (AKC)

Puppy first-year planner

Enter a birth date or an age. You get a dated plan for vaccines, socialisation, teething, spay or neuter timing and training, each with its source.

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Expected adult weight

Only changes the spay or neuter row. Ask your vet if you are not sure.

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A guide, not veterinary advice. Training ages are goals, not deadlines; every puppy learns at its own pace.

In short

Key takeaways

  1. Training starts when your puppy comes home, often at about 8 weeks, with short, reward-based sessions. (AKC, PDSA, AVSAB)
  2. The first three months are the main socialisation window, and AVSAB says it should be standard care to socialise puppies before they are fully vaccinated. (AVSAB)
  3. Keep sessions to 10 to 15 minutes at most, and shorter for young puppies. (PDSA, AKC)
  4. By 6 months, look for progress with house training, recall, polite play and time alone; by one year, loose-leash walking and the basics with distractions. (AKC)
  5. Spay or neuter timing depends on expected adult size: AAHA draws the line at 45 lb. (AAHA)

By age

Puppy training schedule by age: what to teach when

This table is the same data the planner above uses. Each age is the one its source gives; where a source says “by 6 months” or “by one year”, that is a goal for steady progress, not a deadline. Topics with no sourced age are left out rather than guessed. (AKC, AKC)

AgeFocusWhat to work on
From coming home (often about 8 weeks)Name and bondingName your puppy and, at mealtimes, reward it for responding to the name. Frequent short sessions of 10 to 15 minutes help it bond with you. (AKC, PDSA)
From coming home (often about 8 weeks)House trainingTake your puppy out when it wakes, within 5 to 30 minutes of a meal, after play and at least every two to four hours. Reward it for going outside. (AKC, PDSA, AKC, AKC)
From coming home (often about 8 weeks)CrateTeach your puppy to settle happily in a crate at home and in the car. Never use it as a punishment, and never for longer than three hours at a time. (AKC, PDSA, PDSA)
As early as 8 weeksSit and impulse controlThe first true training lesson: ask for a sit before meals and play, and reward it. This can start as early as 8 weeks. (AKC, PDSA)
Progress by 6 monthsBite inhibition and polite playBy now your puppy should be learning when to stop playing, to “drop it”, and that hands and clothes are not toys. (AKC, ASPCA)
Usually reliable by about 6 monthsHouse trainingIf training began early, a 6-month-old puppy can usually be relied on to go outside most of the time. Expect the odd accident. (AKC, AKC)
Progress by 6 monthsTime aloneBy now your puppy should cope with short periods alone, in a crate or another safe, enclosed space. Build up from a few minutes. (AKC, PDSA)
Progress by 6 monthsRecall and asking politelyBy now your puppy should be coming when called because it loves to, and sitting to ask for things instead of barking, jumping or nipping. (AKC, PDSA)
Progress by one yearLeash walkingBy one year, your dog should be making progress with walking on a loose leash. (AKC)
Progress by one yearBasics with distractionsBy one year: sit, down and stay even with distractions, come when called off-leash, and drop it and leave it. (AKC)

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

What to teach a puppy at 8 weeks

Most puppies come home at around 8 weeks, in the middle of their socialisation period. AKC’s list for the first days is short: name the puppy and get it responding to the name at mealtimes, start house training, teach it to settle happily in a crate, and take short walks in a quiet area. Its first formal lesson is impulse control: a sit before meals and play, taught with rewards. (PDSA, AKC, AKC)

From 8 to 16 weeks: the world is not scary

AKC’s main goal for 8 to 16 weeks is exposure: traffic, car rides, people, other dogs, vet visits and being handled, so your puppy learns the world is fun rather than frightening. Before the vaccines are complete, that means carrying your puppy, a safe garden and dogs you know are healthy and vaccinated. Our puppy socialisation checklist turns this into a list you can tick off. (AKC, PDSA, WSAVA)

From 3 to 6 months: teething and the first real progress

At about 3 to 4 months the baby teeth start to fall out to make room for 42 adult teeth, and most puppies finish teething by about 6 months, so expect more mouthing in this stretch. The puppy biting guide has a method for each kind. By 6 months, AKC looks for progress with polite play, house training, short spells alone, recall and sitting to ask for things. (AKC, AKC)

From 6 to 12 months: the basics with distractions

AAHA ends the puppy stage at the end of rapid growth, at about 6 to 9 months depending on breed and size, and warns that the stretch from about 6 months to 3 years can be the hardest for owners. AKC’s goals by one year are sit, down and stay with distractions, coming when called off-leash, loose-leash walking, and drop it and leave it. The leash training guide covers the walking part. (AAHA, AKC)

Every day

A daily puppy schedule: meals, toilet trips, play and sleep

A schedule by age tells you what to teach; a daily routine is how it gets done. AKC’s routine for a young puppy, without clock times, because the right times are the ones you can keep: (AKC)

WhenWhat to do
On waking, morning and after napsStraight outside to the toilet spot (AKC)
MealsMost puppies eat three times a day; go outside again within 5 to 30 minutes of eating (AKC, AKC)
Between mealsOutside at least every two to four hours and after every change of activity (AKC)
Play and trainingSeveral short sessions rather than one long one, each 10 to 15 minutes at most (AKC, PDSA)
NapsPlenty of them: many puppies sleep 16 to 18 hours a day (AKC)
EveningNo food in the 2 hours before bed, then a last toilet trip (AKC)
NightIf your puppy cannot last the night, an alarm and a quick, boring toilet break (AKC)

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Short spells alone belong in the routine too. PDSA suggests starting with a few minutes and building up; see how long a dog can be left alone for limits by age. (PDSA)

Session length

How long should puppy training sessions be?

Shorter than most people expect. PDSA advises training sessions of around 10 to 15 minutes at most, repeated a few times a day, and says young puppies may need even shorter ones. Its very first clicker sessions last about 2 minutes. AKC also recommends frequent short sessions of 10 to 15 minutes, which help your puppy bond with you. (PDSA, AKC)

  • Several short sessions a day beat one long one, for play as well as training. (AKC)
  • Stop while your puppy is still keen, before it gets bored, and keep the treats coming. (PDSA)
  • Use rewards such as treats, toys and praise. AVSAB says reward-based methods should be used for all dog training. (AVSAB, AVSAB)
  • Fold training into the day: a sit before the food bowl goes down is a session. (AKC)

House training

House training a puppy: the basics

House training is the first job and the longest. AKC says it may be a work in progress for several months, and that a puppy whose training began early can usually be relied on to go outside most of the time by 6 months. The steps: (AKC, AKC)

  1. Take your puppy outside the moment it wakes, including after every nap. (AKC)
  2. Take it out again within 5 to 30 minutes of every meal; the younger the puppy, the sooner. (AKC)
  3. Between times, go out at least every two to four hours and after every change of activity, such as the end of a play session. (AKC)
  4. Reward your puppy the moment it goes outside, then play for a few minutes before you head back in, so going out does not always mean the fun ends. (AKC, PDSA)
  5. Use the month-plus-one rule as a ceiling for crate time: a 3-month-old should manage about 4 hours without a mess. Keep any single crate stay to no more than three hours. (AKC, PDSA)
  6. Stop food about 2 hours before bedtime. If your puppy cannot last the night, set an alarm for a quick, boring toilet trip. (AKC, AKC)
  7. Clean up accidents without a fuss. Telling a puppy off rarely helps; rewarding the right place does. (PDSA)

A crate helps with house training, safety and comfort when it is introduced as a good place, which is why AAHA asks vets to discuss it with puppy owners. The crate training guide has a time limit by age and a day-by-day introduction. (AAHA, AKC)

Socialisation

The puppy socialisation window and why it matters

AVSAB calls the first three months of life the primary and most important time for socialisation, because in those months sociability outweighs fear. PDSA places the socialisation period between about 4 and 12 weeks. Either way, much of it has passed by the time most puppies have finished their vaccines. (AVSAB, PDSA)

That is why AVSAB says socialising puppies before they are fully vaccinated should be the standard of care. Behaviour problems, not infectious disease, are the number one cause of death in dogs under three years old, and poor socialisation raises the risk of fear, avoidance and aggression later. (AVSAB)

  • Puppy classes can start as early as 7 to 8 weeks, with at least one set of vaccines seven days before the first class and a first deworming. (AVSAB)
  • AAHA says there is no medical reason to delay classes or social exposure until the vaccines are finished, as long as sick animals are avoided and hygiene is good. (AAHA)
  • Before the course is complete, carry your puppy in public places, and only let it meet healthy puppies and fully vaccinated adult dogs. (PDSA, WSAVA)
  • Go at your puppy’s pace. If it seems anxious or afraid, take it out of the situation. (PDSA)

Walks in public start one to two weeks after the final puppy vaccine, which WSAVA puts at 16 weeks or older. The go-outside calculator works out the date from your puppy’s vaccination card, and a puppy vaccination schedule explains each dose. (PDSA, WSAVA)

Health

When to spay or neuter a puppy: AAHA timing by size

AAHA recommends spaying or neutering all dogs not intended for breeding, and bases the timing on expected adult weight. Spaying before the first heat lowers the risk of mammary cancer; waiting until growth stops lowers the risk of orthopaedic disease, some cancers and urinary incontinence. Your vet weighs the two for your puppy. (AAHA)

Expected adult weightMalesFemales
Under 45 lbBy 5 to 6 months (AAHA)Before the first heat, at 5 to 6 months (AAHA)
45 lb or moreWhen growth is complete, usually 9 to 15 months (AAHA)5 to 15 months, case by case with your vet (AAHA)

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Not sure how big your puppy will get? The puppy weight calculator gives an estimate, and the planner shows both AAHA windows if you choose “Not sure”. (AAHA)

Troubleshooting

Puppy training not working? Common problems and fixes

ProblemWhat to try
Accidents indoors after weeks of progressGo back to more frequent trips: on waking, after meals and play, and every two to four hours. Do not tell your puppy off. (AKC, PDSA)
Hard biting in playYelp, let your hand go limp, then ignore your puppy for 10 to 20 seconds. Teething at 3 to 4 months makes mouthing worse. (ASPCA, AKC)
Crying in the crateGo back a step. Crate training usually takes a few weeks at least, and a crate should never be a punishment. (PDSA)
Not coming when calledPractise in a secure area a few feet apart with a favourite reward, then build distance. A long, loose lead helps in public. (PDSA)
Scared of new thingsTake your puppy out of the situation, then go slower with quieter introductions. (PDSA)
Progress stalls after 6 monthsNormal for an adolescent: AAHA says 6 months to 3 years can be the hardest stretch. Keep sessions short and rewarding. (AAHA, PDSA)

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Problems rarely fade on their own: AAHA notes that puppies generally do not outgrow them. For a bored, busy puppy, try the ideas in mental stimulation for dogs. (AAHA)

Avoid

What not to do

AVSAB’s position is that reward-based methods should be used for all dog training, and that there is no evidence aversive training is necessary. (AVSAB)

  • Do not use shock, prong or choke collars, leash jerks, or “alpha rolls” that push a puppy onto its back. (AVSAB, AVSAB)
  • Do not use squirt bottles, shaker cans or shouting to stop unwanted behaviour. (AVSAB)
  • Do not slap, hit, scruff-shake or whack your puppy on the nose for mouthing: it can make the biting harder. (ASPCA)
  • Do not tell your puppy off for an accident you find later; it will not connect the two. (PDSA)
  • Do not use the crate as a punishment, or for longer than three hours at a time. (PDSA)
  • Do not put off socialisation until the vaccines are finished. (AVSAB, AAHA)

Classes

How to choose a puppy trainer or class

The method tells you more than any title. AVSAB’s guide splits it into green flags and red flags, and AAHA asks vets to help owners choose suitable trainers. (AVSAB, AAHA)

Look forWalk away from
Rewards: treats, toys and praise (AVSAB)Prong or shock collars, leash jerks, rolling a dog onto its back (AVSAB)
Clicker, force-free or positive reinforcement training (AVSAB)Talk of boss, alpha, pack leader or dominance (AVSAB)
Preventing unwanted behaviour and teaching a replacement (AVSAB)“Balanced training”, rattle cans or water spray bottles (AVSAB)

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For a puppy class, AVSAB says puppies can start from 7 to 8 weeks and should stay up to date on vaccines throughout, and classes should be held on surfaces that are easy to clean. A class that asks for vaccination records is following that advice. (AVSAB)

Get help

When to get professional help with a puppy

Most puppy problems are normal learning, but some need help early. The ASPCA flags biting that comes with a stiff or frozen body, lips pulled back, growling, or bites much harder than play, and recommends a certified applied animal behaviourist or a veterinary behaviourist. (ASPCA)

AAHA advises referring aggression toward people or other animals, and any self-injury, to a veterinary behaviourist. If fear, anxiety or aggression is part of the picture, AVSAB says to start with your vet, a veterinary behaviourist or a credentialed behaviour consultant. Signs of distress when left alone are covered in separation anxiety in dogs. (AAHA, AVSAB)

A credential alone does not guarantee good practice, so ask how the trainer handles a mistake and watch a class first. Look for rewards such as treats, toys and praise. Walk away from anyone who uses prong or shock collars, leash jerks, rolling a dog onto its back, or talks about being the boss, alpha or pack leader. If fear, anxiety or aggression is involved, start with your vet, a veterinary behaviourist or a credentialed behaviour consultant. (AVSAB)

The guides

Every puppy training and enrichment guide

FAQ

Questions people ask

At what age should you start training a puppy?
Start the day your puppy comes home, which is often at about 8 weeks. AKC says basic impulse control, such as sitting before meals, can begin as early as eight weeks with rewards. AVSAB says puppy classes can start at 7 to 8 weeks, once your puppy has had a first set of vaccines at least seven days earlier and a first deworming. (AKC, PDSA, AVSAB)
How long should puppy training sessions be?
Short. PDSA advises around 10 to 15 minutes at most, repeated a few times a day, and says young puppies may need even shorter sessions; its first clicker sessions last about 2 minutes. AKC also recommends frequent short sessions of 10 to 15 minutes. Several brief sessions spread through the day work better than one long one, and stop before your puppy gets bored. (PDSA, AKC, AKC)
What should a puppy know by six months?
AKC says that by six months a puppy should be making progress with house training, coming when called, polite play and short spells alone. It should also be learning to sit to ask for things instead of jumping, barking or nipping. Progress is the goal, not perfection: AKC expects the basics, including loose-leash walking, to keep developing through the first year. (AKC)
How long does it take to house train a puppy?
Usually several months. AKC says that if training begins early, a 6-month-old puppy can usually be relied on to go outside most of the time, but it will not happen overnight. Take your puppy out on waking, within 5 to 30 minutes of meals and at least every two to four hours, and reward it every time it goes outside. (AKC, AKC, AKC)
When should I spay or neuter my puppy?
It depends on expected adult size, so ask your vet. AAHA advises that dogs expected to weigh under 45 lb are generally spayed or neutered by 5 to 6 months, females before their first heat. For dogs expected to reach 45 lb or more, it advises neutering males once growth is complete, usually 9 to 15 months, and spaying females at 5 to 15 months. (AAHA)
What is the most important thing to teach a puppy first?
Feeling safe, then the habits you will use every day. AKC puts the puppy’s emotional health first, and its first formal lesson is a simple sit before meals and play. Alongside that, start house training and gentle socialisation straight away: AVSAB calls the first three months of life the primary window for meeting new people, animals and places. (AKC, AVSAB)

Sources

Where this comes from

Every figure and threshold on this page comes from the veterinary sources below, and each one is linked where it is used. Where no source gives a cut-off, we say call your vet rather than invent one.

  • Puppy Training Timeline: Teaching Good Behavior Before It’s Too Late

    American Kennel Club - dated October 15, 2026 - read 2026-10-27

    akc.org

  • Early Puppy Training Is an Important Foundation

    American Kennel Club - dated May 13, 2021 - read 2026-10-27

    akc.org

  • Puppy Potty Training Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

    American Kennel Club - dated August 11, 2026 - read 2026-10-27

    akc.org

  • Setting Schedules and Developing a Routine for Your New Puppy

    American Kennel Club - dated October 21, 2026 - read 2026-10-27

    akc.org

  • Puppy Teething and Nipping: A Survival Guide

    American Kennel Club - dated October 15, 2026 - read 2026-10-27

    akc.org

  • 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines

    American Animal Hospital Association (Creevy et al., JAAHA 55:267-290) - dated November/December 2019 - read 2026-10-27

    aaha.org

  • Position Statement on Puppy Socialization

    American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - dated 2008, reposted 2024 - read 2026-10-27

    avsab.org

  • Position Statement on Humane Dog Training

    American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - dated 2021 - read 2026-10-27

    avsab.org

  • How to Choose a Trainer

    American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - dated 2026 - read 2026-10-27

    avsab.org

  • Basic training for puppies

    PDSA - read 2026-10-27

    pdsa.org.uk

  • Clicker training your dog

    PDSA - read 2026-10-27

    pdsa.org.uk

  • Crate training your dog

    PDSA - read 2026-10-27

    pdsa.org.uk

  • Puppy socialisation

    PDSA - read 2026-10-27

    pdsa.org.uk

  • Parvovirus in dogs and puppies

    PDSA - dated January 2023 - read 2026-10-27

    pdsa.org.uk

  • 2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats

    World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group (Squires et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice 65:277-316) - dated 2024 - read 2026-10-27

    wsava.org

  • Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies

    ASPCA - read 2026-10-27

    aspca.org

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Last updated . Estimate only. For health questions, ask your vet.