How to Train Your Puppy Based on Their Breed
Puppy training differs by breed because traits such as energy level, intelligence, and instinctive behaviors affect how puppies learn. Zigzag personalizes training plans based on a puppy’s breed, age, and owner’s situation to provide relevant and effective guidance.
What this page includes:
Not all puppies are the same
Puppy training differs by breed because breed traits influence how puppies learn and behave. Factors such as energy level, intelligence, independence, and instinctive behaviors affect training focus, motivation, and common challenges.
For example, some breeds may need more mental stimulation, while others require structured routines or additional support with behaviours like recall or house training. Although every puppy is an individual, understanding breed tendencies helps owners choose training methods that are more effective and appropriate.
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Find your puppy breed
Check out our breed guides to learn how to train your new puppy island help them become the dog of your dreams.
Are you ready for a puppy?
Taking on a puppy is a big commitment, often like having a child! Getting the right breed that works for your lifestyle is important, and requires some careful thought. Zigzag has all of the checklists, and pre-puppy advice you could possibly need, so you’ll know what to do and when to do it.
Puppy Training Schedules
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Learn what, when and how to train your puppy between the ages of 8-16 weeks in this guide. Covering potty training, walking and feeding schedules,...
Common Puppy Training FAQs
Yes. While basic training principles apply to all puppies, breed traits such as energy level, intelligence, and instinctive behaviors can influence how easily a puppy learns certain skills and which challenges are most common.
Breeds known for their eagerness to please and high trainability — such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles — are often considered easier to train. However, consistent training and early socialization are more important than breed alone.
Some breeds may take longer to house train due to factors like independence, smaller bladder size, or slower maturity. With patience, routine, and positive reinforcement, all puppies can be successfully house trained.
Yes. Mixed-breed puppies often inherit traits from multiple breeds. Understanding those tendencies can help tailor training methods to better suit their energy level, motivation, and behavior patterns.
We recommend potty training, teaching them where to sleep, and their name should be first on your list when you start training a puppy.
100% worth it! Having a friendly, confident, and well-behaved adult dog, all starts in puppyhood.
As soon as you bring your puppy home, you will begin potty training. Teach them to pee and poop outside as soon as you can. No one really wants their puppy peeing inside, so it’s best to teach them outside is best from the off.
What should I train my puppy first?
We recommend potty training, teaching them where to sleep, and their name should be first on your list when you start training your puppy.
Is puppy training worth it?
100% worth it! Having a friendly, confident, and well-behaved adult dog, all starts in puppyhood.
What age should I start puppy training?
As soon as you bring your puppy home, you will begin toilet training. Teach them to pee and poop outside as soon as you can. No one really wants their puppy peeing inside, so it’s best to teach them outside is best from the off.
How much does puppy training cost?
Learn what, when and how to train your puppy between the ages of 8-16 weeks in this guide. Covering toilet training, walking and feeding schedules, naptimes as well as socialisation tips.
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Breed Specific FAQs
It can be as little as 7 days if you are ‘on it’ but it can also take weeks if not months! Dint’ be too disheartened if it takes a while, it’s best to stay patient.
Smaller dogs bred as companion breeds like French Bulldogs and Miniature Dachshunds, are generally better suited for apartments, than others, Whippets often do well too, as they tend to have short bursts of energy and then sleep a lot!
Choose a breed that will match your activity level, working breeds are generally better off in homes where someone can involve them in a job day to day.
This depends on what kind of work you like to do, German Shepherds are a good all rounded, whereas Spaniels are great for Scent and Gundog work. Poodles and Papillons are amazing for trick dog work!