The habits your puppy learns in the first months stick for years. A few minutes of training every day now saves a lot of frustration later, especially in an apartment. Here’s where to start.
Basic obedience: the core five
- Name response. Say their name once, reward when they look at you.
- Sit. Lure with a treat over the nose, reward the moment their rear touches the floor.
- Come. Start indoors at short distances. Always make coming to you the best thing that happens.
- Leave it. Essential on city sidewalks full of dropped food and trash.
- Loose-leash walking. Start inside with a leash on, rewarding your puppy for staying by your side.
Keep sessions short, 3 to 5 minutes a few times a day, and end while your puppy is still having fun.
Crate training step by step
- Make it inviting. A comfortable bed, a safe chew toy, and the door open at first.
- Feed meals in the crate so it becomes a place good things happen.
- Close the door briefly while you sit nearby, then open it before your puppy fusses.
- Build up time gradually, then practice leaving the room and coming back.
- Never use the crate as punishment. It should always be a safe, calm space.
The right size crate lets your puppy stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, but not so big that they can use one end as a bathroom.
Potty training in a high-rise
- Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps and after play.
- Leave extra time for the elevator. Carry young puppies through the lobby if needed.
- Use the same outdoor spot every time and reward right after they go.
- Clean indoor accidents with an enzyme cleaner so the smell doesn’t invite repeats.
Early socialization
Gently expose your puppy to city sounds, surfaces, people and calm dogs, always at a level they’re comfortable with. Talk to your vet about when it’s safe for your puppy to be around other dogs based on their vaccinations.
Common mistakes
- Long, frustrating training sessions
- Inconsistent rules between family members
- Letting your puppy pull “because they’re small”
- Skipping the crate because the puppy cries at first
FitPals helps new puppy owners with potty and crate training guidance and early structure, so they’re ready to join a pack when the time is right.