Ages & stages
What to train a puppy at 12 weeks
By 12 weeks the puppy has usually settled in, found its voice and discovered that your shoelaces are fascinating. Attention spans are a little longer, curiosity is huge, and the world outside the front door starts to matter more. That makes this a useful moment to add real positions and a first leash, without losing sight of the bigger job: confident social learning.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Positions and leash
Sit, down and place, taught in short reps.
Lure a sit by moving a treat slowly over the puppy's nose, mark the moment its rear touches the floor, and reward. Down follows the same idea, bringing the treat toward the floor between the front paws. Place means a defined bed or mat: reward for stepping on, then for lying there a moment. Three or four good reps, then play, keeps a 12-week-old puppy keen.
For the leash, start indoors. Clip on a light leash during meals or play so it means good things, then take a few steps and reward the puppy for following beside you. Let the leash stay loose and skip any pulling contests. Outdoors, short sniffy walks on quiet streets count as training, so long as the puppy keeps checking in and still looks comfortable.
- Lure sit over the nose
- Down with treat between paws
- Place on one defined mat
- Leash first worn during meals
The social window
Exposure now, polish later.
Many puppies are still in a sensitive period for social learning around this age, so calm, positive meetings with the world carry real weight. Think quality over quantity: one relaxed adult letting the puppy approach on its own terms, a ride in the car, traffic heard from a distance, a new floor surface. Watch body language, and if the puppy freezes, tucks its tail or tries to leave, create distance instead. Ask your vet which outings suit for now.
Formal heel, long stays, recall in open spaces and any remote collar work suit an older, steadier dog. Private Training at $150 plus GST per hour gives you a written plan for these positions at home. Puppy Fundamentals, $2,775 plus GST over three weeks, works on sit and down with stays, place, leash manners and structured socialization, then hands it back to you in an owner handover lesson. We will say so at the consultation when the smaller step fits better.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
What commands should a 12 week old puppy know?
There is no fixed checklist, and puppies vary a lot. Name, sit, down and an early place are reasonable goals to start practising around this age. Comfort with a leash and with new people matters just as much.
Is it too late to socialize my 12 week old puppy?
No. Many puppies are still in a sensitive period for social learning, so now is a good time to keep exposure calm and positive. If your puppy already seems very fearful, talk to your vet or a professional sooner rather than later.
How long should training sessions be for a 12 week old puppy?
Short. A few good repetitions followed by play tends to work better than one long session. Stop while the puppy is still interested.
When can I start leash training my puppy?
You can introduce a light leash indoors at this age, letting the puppy wear it during meals and play. Then reward following you for a few steps. Pulling and formal heel can be worked on as the puppy matures.
Keep reading
Shape the next stage
Book a consultation and we will help you weigh private lessons against Puppy Fundamentals for your 12-week-old.
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