First Week of Training

Note: If this lesson plan is being used by a dog training school, start each class with some supervised puppy playtime.

Learn the significance of the 16 week window of opportunity
See Development Poster, Birth-16 weeks
Begin the Socialization process
Read Socialization, Page 1
Understand the right way to socialize
Read Socialization, “Seven Steps to Socialization”
Meet, Greet and Treat
Read Prevention, “Meet, Greet and Treat”
Learn how to troubleshoot
Read Socialization “Tip: If Your Puppy is Frightened” & A Social Schedule

Understand the importance of developing a Soft Mouth
Read How Dogs Learn, “Soft Mouth”
Learn about Food Bowl Safety (and Hand Feeding)
Read Prevention, “Food Bowl and Hand Feeding Exercises”
Read up on Resource Guarding
Read Prevention, “Trade You”
Flying Solo (puppy needs alone time)
Read Prevention, “Flying Solo”

Take it, Leave it
Read Games, “Take It, Leave It”
Why are Toys so important?
– the best options
– storage of toys
Read Getting Started, “Toys” & Games, “You Control the Games…”
Learn Hide and Go Seek/Find it! Games
Read Games, “Hide & Go Seek and Its Variations”

Learn how to use the Release cue
Read Life Skills, “The Release”
Learn how to lure: Sit, Down and Stand sequence
Read Life Skills, “Sit, Down, & Stand”

100% Management of time
Read House Training, “Daily Routine — Why Structure is Important and How Dogs Learn, “100% Management”
Crate training
Read House Training, Crate Training Page
Put Bathroom on cue
Read House Training, “Bathroom on Cue”