First-Time Dog Owner: Puppy Training Basics

A new puppy needs routine, patience and plenty of good early experiences. Here's what to focus on in the first months.

Rules and paperwork in Denmark

• Your puppy must be chipped and registered in Dansk Hunderegister before it is 8 weeks old. Check the breeder has done this and that you have the papers.
• From 4 months old, your dog must wear a collar with a tag showing your name and address.
• Danish law requires liability insurance for your dog. It covers damage your dog causes to others, not your dog's own vet bills.
• In built-up areas, a dog must be on a lead or with a person who has full control of it. Lead rules are stricter in nature areas and wherever a sign says so, and you must always pick up after your dog.

Socialisation

The months from about 3 to 4 months of age are when puppies learn most quickly about the world. Behaviour experts say socialising can begin from 7 to 8 weeks, once your puppy has had its first vaccination, as long as it's healthy and keeps up with its later vaccinations. Ask your vet what is safe at your puppy's stage.

• Introduce new people, calm vaccinated dogs, traffic, bikes, buses and different floors one at a time.
• Keep each experience short and pleasant, and give a treat when your puppy stays relaxed.
• Never force a scared puppy. Give it space, then try again from further away.

Training foundations

House training

Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, and after every meal, nap and play session. Praise and reward right away when it goes in the right spot. Accidents will happen. Never punish; clean up thoroughly and keep the routine.

Basic commands

• Sit: hold a treat above the nose and move it back over the head
• Down: lure the nose to the floor with a treat, then reward
• Stay: start with a few seconds and build up slowly
• Come: practise in a safe, enclosed area and always reward

Keep sessions to a few minutes, several times a day.

Crate training

A crate gives your puppy a safe place to rest and helps with house training. Never use it as punishment. Add soft bedding, and introduce it gradually with treats.

Rules and exercise

Everyone in the household must use the same rules. If the sofa is sometimes allowed and sometimes not, your puppy will be confused. Give age-appropriate exercise and play. Too little leads to chewing and restlessness.

Puppy stages

• 8 to 12 weeks: socialisation, gentle handling, trust and short training sessions. Introduce the crate.
• 3 to 6 months: teething begins, so offer chew toys. Keep socialising and build on training. Puppies start testing boundaries.
• 6 to 12 months: your puppy may act more independent and challenge the rules you've set. Stay consistent.

Living in Copenhagen

• Practise walking on a lead near bikes and busy streets in short stretches.
• On wet days, use scent games, short training sessions and puzzle toys indoors.
• In summer, walk early or late and offer water.

If you work long days, ask your vet when your puppy is vaccinated enough to start dog daycare. A dog walker or pet sitter can also break up the day.

Vet visits

Book your puppy's first check-up with our veterinary service soon after it arrives. Your vet plans vaccinations, parasite control and neutering questions, and answers anything you're unsure about.

Call the clinic the same day if your puppy is very tired, won't eat, vomits or has diarrhoea repeatedly, struggles to breathe or seems in pain. Puppies can get dehydrated quickly. We're open Monday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 to 16:00, and Tuesday and Wednesday 09:00 to 17:00, and outside those hours you should contact an emergency vet clinic. Contact the clinic to book.