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Puppy Training by dog breed

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially for first-time puppy owners. It can be difficult to know where to start with training a puppy, and easily call us to feel overwhelmed.

Zigzag understands puppy parenthood, we’ll take you through it step by step even before you’ve brought your new puppy home, and hold your hand through the whole process.

Not all puppies are the same

Every puppy is special and unique, and each has a different personality – some puppies are naturally confident, while others are shyer. 

We also have very different lifestyles that we expect our puppies to slot into, kids, other animals, an active or more sedate pace of life. Perhaps you have a city dog or you spend the most time in the countryside, what your puppy needs to know will differ. 

A Whippet is going to have different breed specific training needs to that of a Toy Poodle, and one of them will need to learn more about grooming and bathing too. Within each breed there is variance too, so we treat each pup as an individual.

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.

12 week puppy training

12-Week Puppy Training Schedule

Whether you’ve just brought them home or you’ve had them a while, our 12 week old puppy schedule will help you figure out feeding times, vaccinations, naps how much exercise your pup requires and how to socialize them appropriately.

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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!

How to Train Your Puppy Based on Their Breed

Puppy training differs by breed because traits such as energy level, intelligence, and instinctive behaviours 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 behaviours 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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Puppy Training Schedules

Common Puppy Training FAQs

Yes. While basic training principles apply to all puppies, breed traits such as energy level, intelligence, and instinctive behaviours 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 socialisation 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 behaviour patterns.

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