What to Do with a New Puppy: Early Training Activities

by | Dec 1, 2025 | New Puppy Prep, Puppy Training | 0 comments

What to do with a new puppy Early training activities My Loyal Hound

Puppy Training Strategies for Raising a Good Dog

When one of my clients brought home her first puppy to her Manhattan apartment, she was prepared for the cute stuff—tiny paws, big eyes, weekend walks in Central Park.

What she wasn’t prepared for? Tuesday at 10 a.m. when her new pup wanted entertainment while she was on a Zoom call with her boss. Or Friday night when her friends were headed to dinner and a movie, but her puppy was ready to play.

Like so many new puppy parents searching what to do with a new puppy, she thought mostly about the dream moments—not the daily reality. But once she learned a few simple training games, everything shifted. She could:

  • tire her puppy out before a morning meeting
  • mentally engage him before heading out to dinner with friends
  • and – best of all – actually enjoy playtime instead of feeling like it’s just another chore.

And that’s the heart of it: raising a puppy is less about managing chaos and more about knowing what to do to keep your dog engaged. With the right activities (at the right stage), you’ll keep your puppy happy, calm, and building lifelong skills.

Why Developmental Stages Matter for Puppy Training

Before we leap into activities, it helps to know that puppies—like kids—go through different developmental stages. What feels like “bad behavior” is often just a stage.

I once had a student call me in a panic because her 12-week-old puppy, who had been mellow and snuggly, suddenly turned into a zoomie machine. She thought something was wrong. Nope. Totally normal—it was just a developmental leap (and some overstimulation). But knowing why it was happening helped her feel calm and confident instead of frustrated.

Knowing your puppy’s age and stage helps you focus on activities that are realistic and fair. It’s like giving a toddler crayons instead of calculus homework. Right stage, right activity = calm pup, happy human. We need to meet them where they are so they can succeed!

A common adage goes, “A tired puppy is a happy puppy,” and there’s truth to it. But tired doesn’t always mean a long walk—sometimes it just means the right balance of physical activity, mental stimulation or quality time connecting with you. 

Warning: overdoing it leads to an overtired or overstimulated puppy (and that’s when nipping and meltdowns show up).

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What to Do with a New Puppy: Early Training Activities Dre Nolon My Loyal Hound Puppy Trainer

Gentle Exploration = Big Brain Work

The first few days in a new home are a huge adjustment. Everything is brand-new: the couch, the yard, the sounds of your coffee grinder. Simply sniffing around and getting to know their new surroundings will wear your pup out.

One student wrote: “I think my puppy is broken—he fell asleep under the coffee table after five minutes of walking around the kitchen.” Not broken. Just processing a million new sights and smells.

Exploration is a brain exercise. 

Slow yard walks, watching people from a balcony, or sniffing around your living room (after a potty break) all help your pup settle. 

Other everyday socialization includes discovering new scents, hearing household noises (vacuum, blender, doorbell), and spending time outdoors.

At this early stage, learning a basic command like “SIT” can be incredibly rewarding. You can also introduce a few toys—a ball, a rope toy, or a Kong—and let them experiment. Small, simple moments meet big developmental needs without overwhelming them.

Safe Socialization Before Vaccines

Socialization is a cornerstone of puppy development, but when your pup isn’t fully vaccinated, it can feel impossible. Here’s the secret: you don’t need to wait.

One of my students carried her puppy in a tote bag through town. By the time vaccines were complete, her pup had already seen bikes, strollers, coffee shops, kids playing, skateboards and taxis zooming by—without ever touching the ground. That early exposure made him calm and confident in new places once he was able to walk on a leash.

So, what to do with a new puppy when their paws shouldn’t touch the ground? 

Try carrying them in a backpack or pouch, laying out a blanket in the park, or sitting together in your car to watch the world go by. These safe, small exposures in new environments add up to a dog who sees the world as exciting—not scary.

If your puppy seems nervous, use gentle, short and frequent exposures to gradually build their confidence. Think of it as baby steps leading to the discovery of a big, beautiful new world. Inside The Puppy System, I walk you step-by-step through safe socialization—so you never feel unsure about what’s too much or too soon.

Early Training: Keep It Simple

Training is not about drilling commands—it’s about creating a shared language. And honestly? It’s fun.

So many new puppy parents tell me they feel pressure to “teach everything right away.” Sit, stay, down, heel, leave it… the list feels endless. But here’s the truth: in the first weeks, the basics are more than enough.

One of my favorite moments is watching a student play the Name Game. The puppy hears their name, whips their head around, and bounds over with this “Did you mean ME?!” look. The owner usually bursts out laughing—it’s that first magical connection where communication really clicks.

During the first weeks, keep training short, positive and sweet:

These mini-training sessions build focus, trust, and confidence quickly. A handful of playful reps go so much further than one long, draining session. Even better? These early basics lay the foundation for every skill your dog will learn in the months (and years) ahead.

Teaching Calm Observation: Training Your Puppy to Relax

Puppies think the world is a giant amusement park. Which is adorable… until you just want to drink your coffee in peace.

One student told me her puppy barked at everything—the mailman, the neighbor’s dog, even leaves blowing across the sidewalk. We worked on calm observation: sitting in public spaces together, rewarding her pup for quietly watching instead of reacting.

A week later she messaged: “He just watched a squirrel run by and didn’t move. I almost cried. This skill teaches your puppy they don’t always need to do something. That self-control is what makes it possible to take them to cafés, picnics, or a friend’s house without chaos.

Enjoy the Journey!

Yes, raising a puppy is a lot. There will be messes, zoomies at 10 p.m., and moments you wonder what you got yourself into. But there will also be belly laughs, breakthroughs, and a bond you can’t imagine life without. 

Embrace these moments with open arms (and paws!), celebrate the small wins with yummy training treats, and remember—you don’t have to do it alone.” 

If you’ve ever thought, ‘Am I doing this right?’—you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I put all these activities into a step-by-step system…

Ready for More Puppy Support?

If you’ve made it this far, I know one thing for sure: you care about doing right by your puppy. And that’s half the battle.

The other half? Having a plan so you don’t feel like you’re guessing every day. That’s exactly why I created The Puppy System—a 4-week online course designed to take you from “overwhelmed” to “I’ve got this.”

Puppyhood goes fast—you only get one chance to set the foundation. 

Inside, you’ll get:

  • 4 weeks of clear guidance
  • Step-by-step training games you can play in minutes a day
  • Printable guides to keep you on track (even on the tough days)
  • 12 months of access to watch and rewatch lessons on your schedule

If you’ve been Googling ‘what to do with a new puppy,’ The Puppy System gives you the step-by-step answers. It’s everything you need to confidently raise your puppy without the overwhelm.

If you’re ready to ace puppy parenting, feel supported, and enjoy puppy training, join me inside The Puppy System. Sign up here and let’s get started together.” 

Your puppy-training bestie,
Dre

Want a Calm, Well-behaved Puppy?

Activities are just one piece of the puzzle.

If you’re ready for step-by-step guidance on potty training, crate training, socialization, and more, my self-paced, online course The Puppy System is for you. In just 4 weeks, you’ll have the tools (and peace of mind) to raise the dog of your dreams.

Only $97

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Join today and train your puppy with confidence.

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