Puppy Training Basics 2026: Week-by-Week First 12 Weeks Plan

First 12 weeks shape your dog's lifetime behavior. Miss the socialization window (8-16 weeks) and you get a fearful, reactive adult dog. Here is the week-by-week plan. For a quality option, check our Best Retractable Dog Leash 2026 — 16ft Tangle-Free Heavy Duty Leash for Medium & Large Dogs.

Week 1-2 (home)

• Crate training starts day 1
• Potty schedule every 2 hours
• Name recognition games

Week 3-4

• Introduce 10 different humans (varied ages, sizes, races)
• Sit command with treats
• Short leash walks in backyard

Week 5-8

• Puppy class enrollment (critical socialization)
• Exposure to 50 surfaces, sounds, experiences
• Down + Stay commands

Week 9-12

• Leash walks in public
• Recall practice off-leash in fenced area
• Separation training 5min increments

Essentials: treats, 6ft leash, puppy pads, crate. Our puppy harness fits from 5lbs up.