All You Need to Know About Puppies: Your Ultimate Guide

 Welcoming a puppy into your life is an exciting journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. Puppies don’t come with a handbook, and those early months are crucial for shaping their future. At ACK9 Dog Training, we specialise in supporting new puppy owners and setting both you and your pup up for long-term success.

This free guide will give you practical tips to start your training journey before you even purchase our Puppy Package.

Why Early Puppy Training Matters

The first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life are known as the critical socialisation period. During this time, your puppy is learning what’s safe, what’s scary, and how to navigate the world. Setting the right foundations now helps prevent problems later, such as reactivity, fearfulness, or poor manners.

At ACK9 Dog Training, we’re passionate about helping you:

• Build confidence in your puppy through positive experiences.
• Prevent problem behaviours before they start.
• Create a strong bond based on trust and communication.
• Set your pup up for a happy, well-mannered adult life.

Puppy Training Tips to Start Today

Here are some simple, effective things you can work on right away:

1. 

Toilet Training

• Take your puppy outside frequently, after meals, naps, and play.
• Reward with praise or a treat immediately after they go in the right spot.
• Avoid punishment for accidents; instead, clean up thoroughly to remove scent.

2. 

Crate & Alone-Time Training

• Make the crate a positive, safe space by feeding meals or giving chews inside.
• Start with short periods of alone time and gradually build up.
• Teaching independence early helps prevent separation anxiety later.

3. 

Socialisation

• Expose your puppy safely to new sights, sounds, surfaces, and people.
• Pair every new experience with treats or play so they learn the world is fun and safe.
• Be mindful, quality is more important than quantity. Don’t overwhelm them.

4. 

Biting & Chewing

• Redirect biting onto appropriate toys.
• Provide safe chews to meet their natural need to gnaw.
• Keep shoes, cords, and valuables out of reach management is key.

5. 

Basic Training Foundations

Start teaching simple cues using positive reinforcement:

• Name recognition, reward when your puppy looks at you after hearing their name.
• Sit,  a natural behaviour that helps with calmness.
• Recall,  begin indoors or in the garden by rewarding your puppy for coming when called.
• Loose leash walking, practice at home first by rewarding your puppy for walking beside you.

Why Choose ACK9 Dog Training?

We know there’s a lot of information online, but nothing replaces personalised guidance from a professional. At ACK9 Dog Training:

• We are dedicated specialists in puppy training, reactivity, and behaviour support.
• We use positive reinforcement methods only, ensuring your pup grows up confident and happy.
• We provide clear, step-by-step plans tailored to your puppy and your household.
• We support you every step of the way, because we believe training is about helping owners just as much as dogs.

Our Puppy Package is designed to give you everything you need to raise a well-rounded, happy puppy. From structured training sessions to long-term guidance, we’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and set your pup up for a brilliant future.

Next Steps

🐾 Use this guide to get started with the basics today.

🐾 When you’re ready for personalised support, our Puppy Package is the perfect next step.

Together, we’ll help your puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered adult dog,  and give you peace of mind along the way.