Intro
Discover the ultimate 7 week puppy training schedule, a comprehensive guide to raising a well-behaved pup. Learn how to housebreak, socialize, and obedience train your puppy with a structured plan. Covering crate training, leash walking, and basic commands, this schedule ensures a strong foundation for a lifelong bond with your furry friend.
Congratulations on your new furry family member! As a responsible and caring owner, you're taking the first step towards raising a well-behaved and well-adjusted pup. A 7-week puppy training schedule is an excellent way to establish good habits, socialize your puppy, and strengthen your bond. In this article, we'll guide you through a comprehensive training plan, covering essential skills, socialization, and crate training.
The Importance of Early Puppy Training
Puppies learn rapidly between 8 and 11 weeks old, making this period critical for training and socialization. Early training helps prevent behavioral problems, such as fear aggression, separation anxiety, and destructive behavior. By investing time and effort into training your puppy, you'll set them up for a lifetime of good behavior and a strong relationship with you.
Week 1: Introduction to Training and Socialization (Days 1-7)
- Introduce basic commands: "sit," "stay," "come," and "leave it"
- Socialize your puppy with new people, places, and experiences
- Start crate training to establish a safe space for your puppy
Basic Commands
- "Sit": Hold a treat above your puppy's head and move it backwards towards their tail. As they follow the treat with their nose, their bottom will lower into a sitting position.
- "Stay": Begin by having your puppy sit or lie down, then take a few steps back while saying "stay." Gradually increase the distance and time you're away from your puppy.
- "Come": Call your puppy by their name and say "come" when you want them to return to you. Make it a game by using positive reinforcement and rewards.
- "Leave it": Place a treat in front of your puppy and say "leave it." If they try to take the treat, cover it with your hand and say "no." When they leave the treat alone, praise and reward them.
Week 2: Building on Basic Commands (Days 8-14)
- Continue to reinforce basic commands
- Introduce new commands: "down," "shake," and "heel"
- Increase socialization and crate training
New Commands
- "Down": Start by having your puppy sit, then hold a treat near their chest and slowly move it down towards the ground. As they follow the treat with their nose, they'll naturally lie down.
- "Shake": Hold a treat in your hand and place it in front of your puppy's nose. As they sniff the treat, move your hand up and down, and they'll follow the motion with their head.
- "Heel": Practice walking with your puppy on a leash, with them by your left side. Use treats and praise to encourage them to stay by your side.
Week 3: Socialization and Advanced Commands (Days 15-21)
- Increase socialization with new environments, people, and animals
- Introduce advanced commands: "stay close," "wait," and "back up"
- Continue crate training and reinforce basic commands
Advanced Commands
- "Stay close": Practice having your puppy stay by your side while you're walking or standing still. Use treats and praise to encourage them to stay close.
- "Wait": Have your puppy sit or stand, then take a few steps back while saying "wait." Gradually increase the distance and time you're away from your puppy.
- "Back up": Stand in front of your puppy and hold a treat near their chest. Slowly move the treat backwards, and they'll naturally back up.
Week 4: Advanced Training and Socialization (Days 22-28)
- Continue advanced training and socialization
- Introduce agility training and interactive games
- Reinforce all commands and crate training
Agility Training
- Set up a mini obstacle course using items like tunnels, cones, and jumps
- Guide your puppy through the course, using treats and praise to encourage them
- Gradually increase the difficulty and complexity of the course
Week 5: Refining Commands and Socialization (Days 29-35)
- Refine and reinforce all commands
- Increase socialization with new environments and situations
- Continue crate training and agility training
Refining Commands
- Practice each command in different environments and situations
- Use positive reinforcement and rewards to encourage good behavior
- Gradually phase out treats and use praise and affection as rewards
Week 6: Advanced Socialization and Training (Days 36-42)
- Increase socialization with new people, animals, and environments
- Introduce new commands: "figure-eights" and "spin"
- Continue refining and reinforcing all commands
New Commands
- "Figure-eights": Set up a course with cones or markers, and guide your puppy through a figure-eight pattern. Use treats and praise to encourage them.
- "Spin": Hold a treat above your puppy's head and move it in a circle. As they follow the treat with their nose, they'll naturally spin around.
Week 7: Finalizing Training and Socialization (Days 43-49)
- Finalize and refine all commands
- Increase socialization and advanced training
- Continue crate training and reinforce good behavior
Finalizing Training
- Practice each command in different environments and situations
- Use positive reinforcement and rewards to encourage good behavior
- Gradually phase out treats and use praise and affection as rewards
Gallery of Puppy Training
Puppy Training Image Gallery
We hope this comprehensive 7-week puppy training schedule has provided you with a solid foundation for raising a well-behaved and well-adjusted pup. Remember to always use positive reinforcement, patience, and consistency when training your puppy. Don't hesitate to reach out to a professional trainer or your veterinarian for guidance and support. Happy training!