Two Months After Getting a Christmas Puppy: What You Should Be Training Now

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1:26The snow is deeper, the puppy is bigger, the nipping isn't as cute. The leash pulling feels stronger. Someone is saying, why isn't he listening? This is the moment most families get stuck. Not because they don't love their dog, but because this is where real training begins. Today, we're talking about what you should be doing two months after bringing home that Christmas puppy and how to make sure you don't accidentally create the dog. We'll be frustrated with this summer.

2:51Hello and welcome to Dog Works Radio. I'm your host, Michelle Forto. Before Christmas, we ran a full series about the importance of planning before getting a puppy for the holidays. We talked about preparation, expectations, and why training must start on day one. Well, it's two months later now. If you brought home a puppy in December, you're right at that eight week in the home mark. The honeymoon phase is fading and your puppy is starting to show you exactly who they are becoming. So today, we're going to walk through what should be happening in your training plan right now. What most owners miss at this stage and how to get ahead of problems before adolescence hits. The routine should be solid by now. At two months in, your puppy should not be living in chaos.

3:54There should be rhythm to the day, feeding time should be consistent. Potty breaks should be predictable and create time should feel normal, not like a punishment. If accidents are still happening frequently, it is almost always a structure issue. Puppies thrive on clarity when the day is random, behavior feels random. And here's what many families don't realize. A consistent routine doesn't just help with house training. It lowers anxiety. It builds confidence. It teaches your puppy how to settle that foundation makes everything else easier. And you know what, sit is not enough. Most owners stop too soon. Their puppy can sit, maybe do a down, maybe even give a handshake.

4:54But sitting in your living room is not the same as listening when a distraction is present. At this stage, you should be building recall that works when it matters. You should be laying the groundwork for loose leash walking before your dog is strong enough to drag you down the sidewalk. You should be teaching impulse control at doors during greetings and around food. This is also the beginning of boundary testing. Puppies at this age start experimenting. What happens if I ignore you? What happens if I jump? What happens if I grab this sock and run? If you do not raise expectations now, adolescence will feel overwhelming. Socialization is still open, but closing. There is a common mistake owners make at this stage. They think socialization is done because the puppy has met a few friends and maybe gone to a puppy class.

6:01Socialization is not about quantity. It's about quality exposure. Your puppy should still be calmly experiencing new environments, surfaces, sounds, and people. They should be learning that novelty does not equal danger. Avoidance creates fear, forced exposure creates fear, structured guided experiences, create confidence. Two months in is still a golden window. So how do we fix the cute stuff now? Let's talk about nipping. It was adorable at 10 weeks, but it is becoming a problem at four months. Jumping is the same story, counter surfing, door darting, stealing laundry. These behaviors are not phases that disappear on their own. They are rehearsals. Whatever your puppy practices, your puppy improves that.

7:04If they have been jumping on guests for 60 days, they are 60 days better at jumping. Early correction is simple. Late correction is exhausting. So here's what I want you to do. Think long term. This is the point where you should start asking bigger questions. Do you want an off leash reliable dog on Alaska trails? Do you want a calm dog in public spaces? Are you thinking about working with a therapy dog? Are you considering service dog foundations for mobility or medical alert? Those outcomes are built now, not later. The foundation determines the possibilities. To listen to this podcast without ads, please join our membership program, The Pack. And we will be right back. We're living in uncertain times. If there is one thing we can be thankful for, that is the recent pet adoption boom.

8:08Shelters are being cleared out, and that means you may not know much about your new best friend. Alaska dog works, virtual and on-site classes are the best way for you to build a lasting bond and learn about your pup, new or old. From setting up a proper routine to learning the commands and much more, Alaska dog works provide you with the resources to develop your dog into one of the best. Right now, Alaska dog works has an exclusive offer just for our listeners. Go to AlaskaDogworks.com now and use promo code dogworks and save 20% off your training program at the time of your booking. Visit AlaskaDogworks.com and use promo code dogworks to save 20% today. That's AlaskaDogworks.com and use promo code dogworks at the time of booking. So how can Alaska dog works help you? At Alaska Dogworks, this is the stage where we see the biggest transformation.

9:08Not because puppies are broken, but because owners finally decide they want a plan, rather than a guess. Whether that means joining our peak camp membership for structured companion training, beginning foundational training and our dogs therapy dog track, or setting clear criteria for future service work, the key is clarity. We focus on criteria, consequences and consistency because those three things build reliability and reliability builds freedom. So when do you need to get help? Well, if your puppy is still having frequent accidents, biting intensely, pulling harder each week or struggling to settle, that is not something to wait out. And if things are going well, this is the best time to accelerate progress before adolescent hits.

10:08The earlier you put structure in place, the easier your life becomes. Your Christmas puppy is no longer brand new. This is where the real work starts, and if you commit now, summer looks very different than if you wait. If you are ready to build a capable dog and become a confident handler, visit Alaska Dogworks and schedule a strategy call. Let's map out your next phase before small habits become big frustrations. Thanks for listening to Dogworks Radio, and remember, training is not about control. It's about communication, and we will see you next time. From first Paw Media, this is Dogworks Radio. We hope you enjoyed this podcast, and we invite you to subscribe and Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll find a link on the episode notes. You can tap or swipe on the episode cover art, and you'll see some offers from our sponsors.

11:10You can support our show by supporting them. If you like what you have heard, we would love it if you could give us a five-star rating and tell your friends how to subscribe to. Your hosts are Robert and Michelle Forto. Our producer is Robert Forto, and created for first Paw Media.