Puppy RoadMap

Think of this Puppy Roadmap as your “cheat sheet” for the first year with your new teammate. Puppies aren’t blank slates—they arrive with their own genetics, breed tendencies, and early experiences. This handout shows you what matters most at each stage, from those precious early socialization weeks through the wild-child adolescent period. Use it to guide you toward safe, positive exposure to people, dogs, places, and sounds; to remind you to reward the behaviors you like (and manage the ones you don’t); and to plan purpose-driven training that actually fits the life you want to share with your dog.

Keep this on your fridge or in your training folder and check in with it regularly. You’ll see when to focus on house rules, when to expect chewing and big feelings, and when to lean into skill-building, decompression, and predictable routines. The classes and resources listed give you a clear “what’s next” so you’re never guessing about the next step. Most of all, let this roadmap reassure you: bumps are normal, progress is not linear, and with patience, kindness, and consistent reinforcement, you’re building the foundation for a confident, well-adjusted adult dog.