How to Create Engagement with Your Puppy: Why Engagement and Socialization Trump Obedience Training

When bringing a new puppy into your home, many people rush to obedience training, believing it to be the foundation of a well-behaved dog. However, the most crucial aspect of early puppy development is engagement and socialization—not traditional obedience. Here’s why focusing on engagement will set the stage for a strong, lifelong bond with your puppy and how you can implement it effectively.

The First Few Months Are Crucial for Development

A puppy's early months are the most formative stage of their life. Their experiences during this time shape how they see the world, react to stimuli, and develop relationships. Prioritizing engagement over obedience ensures they learn to value their owner over distractions and navigate their environment with confidence.

Your Puppy Doesn’t Need to Play with Other Dogs

Many believe that socialization means letting puppies interact with other dogs freely. However, dogs will always choose their own species unless they have a strong bond with their owner. Instead, I want my puppy to see me and my family as their primary source of fun, food, and survival. This prevents future behavioral issues like leash reactivity, over-excitement around other dogs, or ignoring their handler.

Hand Feeding Strengthens Engagement

Hand feeding is one of the most effective ways to build engagement. My puppies eat 95% of their meals from my hands, 5% inside their crate—whether they are on raw food or kibble. This teaches them:

To focus on me for their survival
That I am the source of all good things
To engage with me naturally, without force or pressure
The crate is a good place

This practice builds a puppy that willingly offers engagement and sees their handler as the most important part of their world.

Puppies Should Be Aloof to Strangers and Other Animals

I teach my puppies that people and animals are simply part of the environment, not sources of excitement or food. This prevents hyperactivity, jumping, and excessive friendliness towards strangers. My puppies are allowed to sniff new people, but I ask that no one touches or engages with them. This ensures that my puppy’s primary focus remains on me.

Keeping a Leash on in the House

A house leash is an invaluable tool when raising a puppy. I keep my puppy on a leash indoors to:

Prevent bad habits like chewing, jumping, or accidents
Help with housebreaking by ensuring quick redirection to proper potty areas
Reinforce engagement since they always stay within reach and learn to follow me

This method fosters structure and control from day one.

Expose Puppies to New Environments and Stimuli

Socialization isn’t about playing with everything—it’s about experiencing the world in a safe, controlled way. Puppies need exposure to:

Loud noises (sirens, vacuums, fireworks)
Crowds and different types of people
Various surfaces (grass, concrete, metal grates, sand)
New smells, environments, and travel experiences

Introducing these elements in a positive manner helps develop confidence and stability in your dog.

Crate Training Is Non-Negotiable

A crate is not a punishment; it’s a tool for raising a well-adjusted dog. Crate training teaches:

Independence and security when alone
House training and bladder control
Calm behavior rather than excessive energy

Yes, puppies may cry at first, but enduring the initial frustration leads to a well-adjusted, crate-trained dog that understands downtime.

Only Engage When It’s Time to Engage

Puppies should not have free rein in the house unless they are actively engaged with you. If I am not interacting with my puppy, they are either in their crate or a confined area where I can supervise them. This prevents destructive behaviors and ensures that all of their out-of-crate time is productive and intentional.

Engagement First, Obedience Second

While obedience can be introduced early, it should be done through engagement-based activities like hand feeding. However, expecting too much from a young puppy can lead to frustration. Engagement lays the groundwork for obedience, ensuring that when formal training begins, the puppy is eager and willing to learn.

Conclusion: Build the Bond First

Engagement is the foundation of a well-behaved, loyal, and confident dog. By prioritizing socialization, controlled exposure, and structured engagement, you create a puppy that naturally wants to focus on you over distractions. Obedience will come in time—but a strong bond must come first.

By following these principles, you’ll raise a dog that listens to you not because they have to, but because they want to. And that is the true goal of dog training.

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