Puppyhood Done Right: The First 7 Months — A Week-by-Week Guide
Set your puppy up for success with structure, socialization, and positive experiences.
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but those first few months are critical to shaping the adult dog they’ll become. The habits, routines, and experiences your pup has in the early stages will directly influence their behavior, confidence, and ability to thrive in your home and in the world.
Here’s a week-by-week guide to navigating the first 7 months of puppyhood, emphasizing essential milestones like crate training, leash manners, socialization, and exposure to grooming and vet care.
Weeks 8–10: Foundations Begin
Crate Training: Start crate training on day one. Use the crate as a calm, safe space—not punishment. Feed meals in the crate and reward calm behavior inside it. Use the kennel throughout the day… Not just at night!
Potty Training: Take your puppy out every 1–2 hours. Keep a consistent schedule and reward them immediately after going outside. Stay in one spot. Puppies will need to go 15-30 minutes after eating or drinking.
Name Recognition: Use their name often and always pair it with something positive. (Treats or kibble during meal times is the perfect time)
Early Handling: Gently handle paws, ears, and mouth daily to prepare for future grooming and vet visits.
Socialization Starts Now: Introduce your pup to different surfaces, sounds, and safe people. Avoid dog parks, but controlled meet-and-greets with healthy, vaccinated dogs are encouraged. Work on counter conditioning and rewarding check ins.
Weeks 11–12: Confidence Building
Short Leash Sessions: Introduce a lightweight leash indoors. Let them drag it to get used to the feel, then start walking a few steps with gentle guidance and praise. Begin back tie decompression.
Positive Vet Visit: Schedule a “happy visit” where your pup visits the vet without receiving shots—just treats and love. This builds positive associations.
Grooming Exposure: Introduce the brush, nail clippers, and a soft towel for mock baths. Keep sessions short and end with a treat.
New Environments: Carry your puppy through busier environments (if not fully vaccinated), or let them watch from the car or your arms. The goal is passive exposure to the world.
Weeks 13–16: Socialization & Obedience Basics
Puppy Classes: Enroll in a reputable puppy class that uses balanced training with positive reinforcement. This builds confidence around new dogs and people. We offer these group classes!
Basic Commands: Introduce sit, down, come, and leave it. Keep sessions under 5 minutes and use food rewards.
Handling Practice: Start brief grooming sessions. Let your puppy stand on a table or in a tub while you brush them. Reward calm behavior.
More Outings: Take your pup to pet-friendly stores, parks, or around the neighborhood. Exposure is key—sights, sounds, smells, and strangers should become familiar.(Your pup should be fully vaccinated)
Weeks 17–20: Leash Skills & Focus
Loose Leash Walking: Start structured walks. If your pup pulls, stop or change direction. Reward for walking by your side.
Impulse Control Games: Try “sit before door opens” or “wait for food bowl.” This builds patience and manners.
Handling by Others: Allow friends or family to gently brush, lift, or inspect your puppy. This preps them for groomers and vet techs. Use tasty rewards for this (peanut butter, freeze dried treats, etc.). Reward calm reactions.
Car Rides: Short car rides followed by fun outings help prevent anxiety later.
Weeks 21–24: Teething & Adolescence Starts
Chew Management: Offer safe chews and redirect inappropriate chewing. Be patient—this is a tough stage!
Reinforce Training: Stay consistent and keep training fun. Use a marker system to keep things consistent.
Refresher Vet Visit: A quick visit for a weight check or treats reinforces that not all vet visits involve needles/physical exams.
Grooming Appointments: Book a professional bath or grooming session. Start slow—some places offer desensitization packages. Starting with a basic bath.
Weeks 25–28: Expanding Skills
** Start introducing tools: Slip leash or prong collar. You will need to condition them to these properly by teaching them what leash pressure means. (I have a video on Patreon)
Generalize Commands: Practice cues in new places—parks, sidewalks, indoors with distractions.
Introduce Duration: Ask for longer sits or downs. Start with a few seconds and build up. These are implied and we do not need to use a “stay” command. That is just an extra verbal cue to the a behavior.
Calmness in Public: Practice calm behavior at cafes or near playgrounds. Reward calmness, not excitement. Utilize “Sit On The Dog” technique.
Refine Leash Manners: Reinforce “heel” and polite leash walking. Don’t let bad habits sneak in. Be clear and consistent with your expectations.
Weeks 29–30: Building Independence
Alone Time: Practice leaving your pup alone for increasing periods. Use the crate or a safe space. Highly recommend using a crate. This helps to prevent separation anxiety and/or kennel anxiety.
Distraction Work: Practice cues (sit/down/heel/recall) around other dogs, squirrels, or new environments.
Grooming at Home: Do a full bath, blow dry (if applicable), nail trim, and ear cleaning. Make it low-stress and reward with treats throughout.
Final Tips for Success
Keep it Positive: Use praise, treats, and play as rewards. Avoid harsh corrections early on.
Set Routines: Puppies thrive with structure—feeding, playtime, naps, and training should be consistent.
Be Patient: Regression is normal. Stay calm and consistent.
Celebrate Milestones: Every new command learned, every calm vet visit, every successful walk—it’s all progress worth celebrating.
With time, structure, and plenty of exposure, you’ll be on your way to raising a confident, well-mannered adult dog. Puppyhood is fleeting—but when done right, the results last a lifetime.
