First things you'd teach a puppy

[SpaceMutt]

I'd kind of lump attention/playing/name recognition/housebreaking all into one big category of "life skills" rather than something I really set out to train. They are obviously the big things that start right away.

As far as focused "training" - crate games, definitely. I used to roll my eyes at everyone who raved about it being the cure for everything, but after doing it with Gusto, it really was remarkable. First of all, any dog I own is going to need to learn to be good in a crate. And teaching self restraint, stays, sits, releases, drive, etc all at once, using just a crate? I'm in.

Have to echo this. Life skills sure, but the first major training thing I do aside from that is crate games. It just helps so much - with the crate, with waiting at thresholds (coming out of the car, etc), ramping up and settling down, everything.

After having Astro, the drop it/fetch it/leave it/trade ya for it arsenal also comes out pretty quick. Platforms and pivots as well, for body awareness and because I think working on that stuff is super fun.

 

[teacuptiger]

Recall and how to handle being alone.

Everything else would come after that The thing that Buddy taught me was that recall was VERY important, and the thing that Roxie taught me is that being alone is a waaaay more important skill than I had thought it was. So those are the things I would work on right away with my next dog

 

[PWCorgi]

Accepting handling!!!!

Off-leash recall

Engagement/Play/Focus

Settling in public

 

[Elrohwen]

Following off leash/recall/name recognition
Playing anywhere
Shaping fun
Leave it
Touch

Under life skills would be things like crate training, potty training, unsteady surfaces, handling/grooming.

 

[DJEtzel]

Name
Touch
Stick close outside off leash
Get it (tug and target on cue)
Two Ball
Spins
Pivot work
Settle in a crate
Travel well
Don't bark

 

[houlahoops]

Watch
Crate training
Settle*
Recall
Toy drive*


* - Things I should have taught Pip a tad earlier