The weeks between roughly 6 and 16 weeks of age are the most important learning window in a dog's life. What a puppy meets calmly in this period (people, sounds, surfaces, handling) it tends to accept as normal for life. What it never meets, it is more likely to fear. The catch is that the same weeks fall before its vaccinations are complete. This guide shows how to socialise safely and start training without harsh methods.
Socialisation without the disease risk
Parvovirus and distemper are common in India, and parvo survives in soil for months. Until your vet confirms the vaccination course is complete, the puppy shouldn't walk on public ground. That doesn't mean isolation. It means controlled exposure:
- Visitors at home: invite calm adults and gentle children to sit on the floor and let the puppy approach.
- Carry it outside: in your arms or a carrier, let it watch traffic, hear horns and see people from a safe height.
- Household sounds: pressure cooker whistles, mixers, doorbells, festival noise played quietly on a phone, with treats.
- Surfaces and objects: tiles, mats, grass in your own clean garden, umbrellas, helmets.
- Handling: touch the paws, ears, mouth and tail daily, so grooming and vet visits are easy later.
- Other dogs: only healthy, fully vaccinated adult dogs you know, on clean ground.
Keep each experience short and pleasant. Pair new things with treats, and let the puppy retreat if it wants to. The aim is calm, not exposure for its own sake.
House training
- Choose one toilet spot, either outside or on pads, and use it consistently.
- Take the puppy there after every meal, nap and play session, and first thing in the morning.
- Praise and reward within two seconds of it finishing.
- Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner and don't scold. Punishment teaches hiding, not toileting outside.
- Expect accidents for weeks. Young puppies have small bladders.
Crate and alone-time training
A crate, used kindly, gives a puppy a den and keeps it safe when you can't watch it. Make it comfortable, feed meals inside, and start with the door open. Build up to short periods with the door closed while you're nearby, then step out of the room for a few minutes. Practising short absences early prevents separation distress later, especially in homes where everyone goes to work.
First commands
Use positive reinforcement: reward the behaviour you want with a treat, praise or play, and simply don't reward what you don't want. Train in sessions of two to five minutes, several times a day.
- Name response: say the name and reward eye contact.
- Sit: lure the nose up with a treat until the rear goes down.
- Come: practise indoors first, and always make coming to you the best thing that happens.
- Leash walking: start at home with a light leash, and reward walking beside you.
- Leave it / drop it: important in Indian streets full of discarded food.
Biting and chewing
Puppies explore with their mouths, and teething makes it worse. When teeth touch skin, stop play for a moment, then redirect to a chew toy. Provide plenty of safe chews and keep shoes, wires and cushions out of reach. Physical punishment makes biting worse and damages trust.
When to get professional help
Consider a qualified trainer or behaviourist who uses reward-based methods if you have a large or strong breed, growling over food or toys, fear of people, or problems that aren't improving. Starting a training class once the vaccinations are complete is worthwhile for any puppy.
The time it really takes
Expect about one to two hours a day in the first months across walks, play, training and supervision. That's the honest cost of a well-behaved adult dog. If it sounds like more than you can give, a calmer breed or an adult dog may suit you better. See choosing a dog breed for your lifestyle.
Just brought a puppy home? See your puppy's first 7 days and the full dog-buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start training my puppy?
From the day it comes home. Short, reward-based sessions of a few minutes, several times a day, work well even for very young puppies.
How do I socialise my puppy before vaccinations are complete?
Invite calm visitors, carry the puppy outside to see and hear the world, introduce household sounds and surfaces, handle it daily, and let it meet only healthy, fully vaccinated dogs on clean ground.
How long does house training take?
Most puppies take several weeks to a few months. Consistent toilet trips after meals, naps and play, with immediate rewards, make it faster.
How do I stop my puppy from biting?
Pause play briefly when teeth touch skin and redirect to a chew toy. Provide plenty of safe chews during teething and avoid physical punishment, which makes biting worse.
Is crate training cruel?
No, when it is done kindly. A comfortable crate introduced gradually becomes a safe den. It should never be used as punishment or for very long periods.
