What Puppy Training Really Should Look Like in the First 90 Days

Puppy Training Foundations

Most puppy owners are told the same thing:

“Just use treats, be patient, and they’ll grow out of it.” After all, they’re only puppies for a short amount of time, right? The problem with this line of thinking is that a solid foundation is not being built to help the puppy as it grows out of puppyhood, into adolescence and then adulthood. A building is only as strong as its foundation.

But what happens when the foundation is not properly set:

-       The biting gets worse.

-       Potty accidents continue.

-       The puppy never learns to relax in a crate.

-       Furniture, rugs and floorboards get chewed up.

-       The puppy ignores cues unless food is visible.

And suddenly, people are frustrated, overwhelmed, and worried they’re “doing it wrong” or “they can’t handle a puppy.”

The truth is this: Most puppy problems aren’t behavior problems — they’re structure problems.

The First 90 Days Matter More Than the Next 9 Years

From the moment they wake up, to the time they go to sleep, puppies are learning how the world works, not just obedience commands.

During the first 90 days, your puppy is forming:

• Habits and routines

• Schedules and expectations

• Coping strategies

• Predictable patterns that will either help or hurt you later

If training focuses only on rewards without boundaries, puppies learn:

• Rules are negotiable

• Rules change

• Listening is optional

That’s not confidence — that’s confusion. Dogs do not function well with confusion (neither do people for that matter).

What Puppy Training Should Include (But Often Doesn’t)

1. Clear Structure From Day One

Structure and predictability reduce anxiety and prevent problem behaviors before they start.

That includes:

• Scheduled potty breaks

• Predictable nap times

• Crate conditioning

• Controlled freedom

• Clear rules about biting, jumping, and access

Structure doesn’t mean harshness. It means clarity.

2. Teaching Accountability Alongside Rewards

Food should be used as a teaching tool — not a lifelong bribe.

Effective puppy training blends:

• Rewards for correct choices

• Rewards for motivation

• Gentle, fair consequences for poor choices

• Consistent follow-through

• Safe exposure to the real world (this does not mean meeting other dogs)

Puppies who only learn through food often struggle when distractions appear or when rewards disappear.

3. Engagement Before Obedience

A puppy who doesn’t check in with you won’t listen — no matter how many treats you carry.

Early training should build:

• Focus

• Relationship

• Responsiveness

• Calmness under mild pressure

This is how puppies grow into dogs who listen everywhere, not just in the kitchen.

Common Puppy Training Mistakes

❌ Allowing too much freedom too soon
❌ Repeating commands without follow-through
❌ Rewarding frantic or pushy behavior
❌ Expecting too much too soon
❌ Avoiding boundaries out of fear of “being mean”
❌ Waiting too long to start real training

These mistakes don’t mean you’ve failed or that your puppy isn’t smart and trainable — they just mean you need a clearer plan.

What Success Actually Looks Like

A well-trained puppy:

• Understands house rules and enjoys the boundaries

• Recovers quickly from excitement and/or fear moments

• Can tolerate frustration and uses it as a learning tool

• Responds without bribery because it understands what is being asked

• Feels safe because expectations are clear

That doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens with intentional training.

Want Help Setting Your Puppy Up Right?

If you want your puppy to grow into a calm, confident, reliable adult dog — the foundation matters.

Schedule a Puppy Evaluation
I’ll assess your puppy, your home setup, and build a clear plan that fits real life — not just theory.