Puppy Training That Actually Works

Don’t Wait for Maturity, Build Obedience from Day One

Most people think they need to “wait until the dog’s older” to start training. That’s exactly why so many dogs grow up entitled, distracted, and out of control.

At Elite K9 Service, we don’t wait. We build obedience, respect, and control the moment the puppy walks through the door.

⸻

What Puppy Training Should Be

It’s not about tricks. It’s not about bribing with food.

It’s about leadership, structure, and accountability.

A well-trained puppy understands:

✔️ You control all movement, food, and freedom

✔️ Calm behavior gets rewarded

✔️ Disobedience has consequences

✔️ Structure isn’t optional...

⸻

Structured Training Schedule

Forget “5 minutes here and there.” Here’s what your puppy should actually be doing:

🕒 30 minutes in the morning

🕒 30 minutes in the evening

🕒 30 minutes at night

Yes, even at 9 weeks old. It’s broken up, supervised, and always intentional. Just like in a pack...

⸻

The Most Important Command: Heel

“Heel” is the heaviest command in your entire system.

Teaching the dog to walk in sync with you—focused, calm, and tuned in—sets the tone for everything else.

Heel drills fix:

✔️ Pulling

✔️ Reactivity

✔️ Distraction

✔️ Confidence issues

It’s not just a walk. It’s how you move through the world together.

⸻

Use the Leash Indoors

You don’t wait until a dog is “trained” to use a leash—you train because you’re using the leash.

Indoors, it’s your #1 tool to:

• Correct jumping or biting

• Enforce Sit/Down/Place

• Keep the dog mentally connected

• Stop pacing or whining

• Block overexcitement before it starts

⸻

Correct Early — Not Later

Most behaviors do not pass with maturity.

The belief that “they’ll grow out of it” is what creates bad adult dogs.

Yes, chewing can improve with teething.

Yes, potty training will stabilize as the bladder matures.

But even that doesn’t mean waiting.

✅ Potty should be perfect for 45 minutes at a time before you ever “trust” them

✅ Teething doesn’t excuse biting humans or chewing walls

✅ Focus should be tight for a full 5 minutes before “taking a break”

If they’re not doing things perfectly for short durations, maturity isn’t the problem, structure is.

⸻

Foundational Commands to Teach First

Start here:

• Sit for food, attention, and doors

• Down for control and settling

• Heel with leash and eye contact

• Place to build stillness and discipline

• Crate to build calm independence

These aren’t just commands, they’re lifestyle expectations.

⸻

What NOT to Do

❌ Let the dog “zoom it out”

❌ Bribe with food instead of leading

❌ Repeat commands without follow-through

❌ Think they’ll “figure it out with age”

❌ Allow freedom before it’s earned

This isn’t about letting them explore. It’s about teaching them how to live with you, and for you.

⸻

Final Word

Puppies don’t need time to grow out of problems. They need structure to grow into discipline. And that discipline comes from clarity, control, and consistency — not age.

✔️ 30 minutes, three times a day

✔️ Heel is top priority

✔️ Early corrections matter

✔️ Structure always comes before freedom

📞 Want help turning your puppy into a reliable, respectful dog from day one? Contact Elite K9 Service. We build discipline that lasts a lifetime.