When a new puppy comes home, it can be tempting to start with a long list of commands. Sit, down, stay, come, leave it, leash walking, potty training, crate training, and manners all feel urgent. The better starting point is simpler: teach the puppy that learning with you is clear, safe, and rewarding.
Begin with attention. Say the puppy’s name, reward when they orient to you, and build a habit of checking in. A puppy who enjoys paying attention is easier to guide through almost everything else.
Next, reward the behaviors you want to see again. Calmly sitting near you, following you through the house, chewing appropriate toys, resting in a crate, and choosing four feet on the floor are all worth noticing.
Training should happen in small pieces throughout daily life. A few treats before a meal, a name-response game in the yard, a short crate practice after play, or a calm handling moment on the couch can matter more than one long formal session.
Manami from Kuma's 2023 litter earned both her Novice Trick Dog Title and Canine Good Citizen Title at 4.5 months old using this kind of training method: clear foundations, positive reinforcement, and many small successful repetitions.