Puppy Foundations

Everything you need before you teach your first cue: how dogs learn, choosing rewards, marker training, reading body language, and setting up your training environment.

• The Critical Socialization Window (8–16 Weeks)

  You have a short window to shape your puppy's worldview. Here's how to use it well.

• Your Puppy Socialization Checklist

  A concrete list of people, places, sounds, surfaces, and handling to introduce before 16 weeks.

• Gentle Handling & Body Desensitization

  Teach your puppy that being touched, held, and examined predicts good things.

• The Name Game: Building Attention

  Your dog's name should mean "look at me, something good is coming" — never a scolding.

• Preventing Resource Guarding

  Teach your puppy that people approaching their food or toys is great news, not a threat.