Order of Learning Guide
All puppies are different, but the majority of them will learn these behaviors and cues in the timeline described below. Some of these behaviors require a long period of teaching and reinforcing and there are others that the pup will learn quickly and the raiser can maintain the behavior as the pup matures. The behaviors should be taught in short increments as the raiser has time throughout the day. Practicing throughout the day will be help the pup learn the desired behavior and wear them out mentally so they relax and settle in the environment.
As the pup matures and you teach them these behaviors they will move into a period of maintenance. During the maintenance period behavior might require more support on public and outside the home. You should be practicing the behaviors outside the home so the pup learns the behavior in various environments with added distractions.
For full information on these behaviors please refer to the full documents and videos on each behavior. You can also refer to the Order of Training Chart.
Introduction and Learning: You are teaching the pup the behavior/skill at a basic level. This might take several days to weeks.
Savvy/Fluency: The pup knows the behavior/skill and responds reliably, but might need additional support or prompting in new or distracting environments.
Maintenance: The behavior/skill is understood by the puppy. Regular practice will help ensure the behavior/skill continues at an acceptable performance.
Comfort in the Crate
Introduction: 8-12 weeks
Savvy: 4-5 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Contact your advisor or area coordinator if the pup is not settling in the crate after 2 weeks at home
- Put a safe chew toy in the crate to help the pup settle in the crate
- Continue using in the crate when you're in or out of the house so the pup remains comfortable being confined in a crate.
Housebreaking/ Relieving
Introduction: 8-10 weeks
Savvy: 3-5 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- The pup should be relieved on a hard surface outside as soon as you bring them home.
- Using the relieving log create a schedule to prevent accidents.
- If the pup continues to have accidents or relieves indoors, contact your advisor or area coordinator.
- After the pup is reliably housebroken, around 6-9 months of age, focus on creating duration in the routine.
Head Collar Acceptance
Introduction: 8-10 weeks
Savvy: 10-12 weeks
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce during feeding within the first few days at home.
- Continue introducing in the home with short, positive sessions.
- If the pup is not walking comfortably with a head collar on after one month, contact your advisor or area coordinator.
Body Handling and Grooming
Introduction: 8-10 weeks
Savvy: 10-12 weeks
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce touching the pup's feet and ears daily and then weekly when they're comfortable with the handling daily.
- Allow other raisers and trained volunteers to handle the pup.
- If the pup is squirmy, mouthy, or vocal during these sessions, contact your advisor or area coordinator
Tie Down Acceptance
Introduction: 8-10 weeks
Savvy: 10-12 weeks
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce the tie down during the first few days at home.
- Continue in short sessions to teach the pup to settle comfortably.
- If the pup is resistant, vocal, or squirmy after one week, contact your advisor or area coordinator.
Polite Taking Food
Introduction: 8-10 weeks
Savvy: 10-12 weeks
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce taking food from your hand the day you bring the pup home.
- This behavior should be taught before you start using food for reward or luring.
- The pup should take the food with their tongue or lips. If they are too rough you can make a doughnut with your hand that ensures the pup has to lick the food out.
- If the pup is taking food roughly with their teeth, contact your advisor or area coordinator.
Marker Word Recognition
Introduction: 8-10 weeks
Savvy: 10-12 weeks
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce the marker word "Nice" after the pup learns to take food from your hand politely.
- The pup should eagerly and politely expect food after hearing the word "Nice"
- Once the pup understands the marker word you can start using it for touch, place, self-control, coping, and loose leash walking.
Touch
Introduction: 10-12 weeks
Savvy: 10-12 weeks
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce Touch after the pup learns the marker word "Nice".
- The pup should not be biting or nibbling at your hand after the first week of introducing the skill.
Loose Leash Walking
Introduction: 4-5 months
Savvy: 5-6 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Always use the head collar when you are unable to practice LLW and collar pressure response.
- Stop and practice collar pressure response if the pup starts pulling; take several steps back if necessary.
- Continue using the head collar frequently so maintenance still continues even if the pup is comfortable with LLW.
Collar Pressure Response
Introduction: 4-5 months
Savvy: 5-6 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce collar pressure with LLW on a flat collar.
- Wait for the pup to respond by yielding to the pressure.
- Movement should only come from the direction the pressure is applied, your body should remain stationary.
Place
Introduction: 4-5 months
Savvy: 5-6 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce place after the pup is eagerly eating their meals in the crate.
- The pup should respond to the cue in the home by 5 months of age.
- The behavior should be maintained in various areas of the home until they come in for training.
Sit and Down with Food Lure
Introduction: 3-4 months
Savvy: 4-5 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training; should not need food or physical prompting after 5 months.
- Using food or hand lures can help the pup learn the desired position you want the pup.
- Let your advisor or area coordinator know if the pup frequently moves out of heel position when practicing on leash.
- The lure can be phased out once the pup is savvy with the hand or food lure in various environments.
Recall with Food Reward
Introduction: 8-12 weeks
Savvy: 3-5 months
Maintenance: Until the pup returns for training
- Introduce recall when the pup is on leash or their coming to you anyways so you have guaranteed compliance.
- Always reward with kibble every time the pup responds to "Come" at home or in the yard.
- If the pup is playing keep away or not responding reliably, contact your advisor or area coordinator.