What is the most important thing I should teach my puppy?

The most important thing to teach your puppy first isn’t a command or a trick—it’s how to engage with you.

Before obedience training really works, a puppy needs to learn attention, trust, and structure. Engagement means your puppy understands that you matter, listening to you is rewarding, and guidance comes from you. This foundation makes every future lesson easier and more reliable.

Start by reinforcing simple behaviors like responding to their name, choosing to look at you, or following you calmly around the house. These small moments teach your puppy to check in rather than act independently.

Equally important is teaching structure. Puppies feel safest when expectations are clear. Consistent routines, calm handling, learning to settle, and gentle boundaries—like waiting before going outside—help puppies develop confidence and self-control.

While basic cues like sit and come are useful, they’re far more effective once a puppy understands how to focus and regulate themselves.

This content was provided by Carla Ladd at Ladd K9 located in Preston, MN. For more information, contact 507-951-7398 or
visit www.LaddK9.com.