What should an 8 week old puppy be learning

Your new 8-week-old Golden Retriever, Max, just tumbled over his own paws chasing a tennis ball. Adorable? Absolutely. Ready for complex obedience drills? Not quite. At this stage, his developing brain needs foundation skills through positive experiences, not perfection. Think of these early days as wiring his trust circuits – the obedience commands come later.

Max’s brain is experiencing peak neuroplasticity until 16 weeks, meaning every interaction shapes his future worldview. Focus first on structured socialization, but safely: Since he lacks full vaccination, carry him to observe life from your arms. Sit on your Austin apartment balcony, scattering chicken bits when garbage trucks pass or skateboards rattle by. Introduce novel surfaces daily – let him wobble across bubble wrap, tile, and grass patches at the community dog area (avoiding high-traffic times). Invite one calm visitor weekly to toss treats without direct eye contact, teaching him strangers predict good things. Never overwhelm him; three 5-minute positive sessions beat one chaotic hour.

Training essentials now are bite inhibition and name recognition. When Max nips during play, yelp "ouch!" and freeze like a statue for 5 seconds – mimicking littermate feedback. Immediately redirect to a frozen washcloth. For name response, use a singsong "Max!" the moment he glances your way, rewarding with kibble. Practice gentle handling during meals: Massage his paws while he licks peanut butter off a mat – crucial for stress-free vet visits later. Remember his attention span matches microwave popcorn time: Keep sessions under 3 minutes and always end on success.

Legally, you’re his passport to the world. Before park visits, Max needs his first DHPP vaccine (required nationwide) – rabies comes later (legally mandated by 16 weeks in California). Never skip waste bags during balcony potty training or lobby socialization; that $250 fine in Chicago’s Wrigleyville applies even at this age. Culturally, punishment is off-limits. Rubbing his nose in accidents or yelling at nipping violates modern welfare standards – Germany’s Animal Welfare Act explicitly bans fear-based training. Instead, prevent mishaps: Use puppy pens on hardwood floors and reward calm behavior with tiny cheese bits.

Apartment living demands extra finesse. Place a textured mat near your entryway for "paw wiping" practice after outdoor trips. Desensitize to elevator dings by playing YouTube recordings softly during nap times, gradually increasing volume. Since thin walls amplify noise, teach "settle" in his crate using white noise machines – neighbors will thank you. When carrying Max through lobbies, politely tell approaching neighbors "We’re in training!" while rewarding him for sitting calmly in your arms.

By 10 weeks, Max should recognize his name, tolerate gentle handling, and show curiosity (not fear) toward new sounds. That first tail wag at a vacuum cleaner? That’s the golden milestone – proof you’re building a confident, adaptable companion through patience, not pressure.