How to Train Small Puppies: A Journey of 20 Years in Dog Training
As a dog trainer with over 20 years of experience, I've had the pleasure of working with countless puppies—each with their own personality, quirks, and charm. Every time I welcome a new puppy into training, it reminds me of my very first job: a scruffy little Terrier named Max. Max was a bundle of excitement, mischief, and endless curiosity. That experience, and hundreds more like it, taught me the delicate art of training small puppies. Training a puppy is both a challenge and a joy. It’s about patience, understanding, and consistency. With every wag of the tail and floppy ear tilt, you learn more about their behavior, needs, and personality. Now, I want to share with you the top 10 steps I’ve developed over two decades of working with puppies just like yours. 1. Start with Trust: The Bonding Phase The first thing I tell new puppy owners is this: before you even begin teaching commands, you need to build trust. For puppies, the world is an overwhelming place filled with