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What to Train Your New Puppy First: Potty & Name

What is the first thing I should train my new puppy?

Start with a potty routine. Your new puppy needs frequent chances to go in the right place, and a predictable schedule helps you prevent accidents while teaching a useful habit. At the same time, begin teaching your puppy to respond to their name. You can practice both from the first day without expecting perfection.

How do we start potty training?

Take your puppy to the same designated potty area after waking, eating, drinking, and playing, as well as before bedtime. Young puppies may also need trips between those moments. When your puppy goes in the right spot, praise them and offer a small treat right away. That immediate reward makes it easier for them to connect the place and action with something good.

Keep your puppy close enough to notice sniffing, circling, or suddenly leaving an activity. If you cannot supervise, use a puppy-safe, easy-to-clean area for a short period. Accidents are part of learning: clean them thoroughly and return to the routine rather than scolding. Punishment can make a puppy reluctant to go when you are nearby.

What should you teach alongside the routine?

Practice name recognition in brief, upbeat sessions. Say your puppy’s name once; when they look toward you, mark that moment with “yes” and give a treat. Start in a quiet room, then practice around mild distractions. Their name should mean “pay attention,” not “you’re in trouble.”

We recommend keeping a few small training treats near the door so you can reward successful potty trips promptly. A properly fitted harness and a standard leash can help you guide your puppy to the designated area without pulling on their neck. Choose treats your puppy can chew easily, and count them as part of their daily food intake.

What comes next?

Once your routine is underway, add simple skills such as coming when called, sitting, and settling briefly on a mat. Keep sessions short and finish while your puppy is still engaged. Our team’s four-week new puppy training starter plan can help you build those lessons into a manageable daily schedule.