The kennel journal

Training Your Toy Shepherd Puppy: The First Essential Steps

CharlotteOctober 3, 2024

Have you just adopted a Toy Shepherd puppy? Here is what you need to know to start their training well:

Start from 7–8 weeks
Be consistent and patient
Establish a reassuring routine
Reward good behaviour
Socialise your puppy

The key points to remember:

Aspect	Recommendation
Meals	3–4 times a day
Toilet trips	Every 1–2h at first
Training	2–3 sessions of 5–10 min a day
Exercise	1–2h a day
House-training	4–8 weeks on average

With consistency and love, your Toy Shepherd will soon become a wonderful companion.

Preparing for your puppy’s arrival

About to welcome a Toy Shepherd? Excellent. Here is how to prepare for their arrival:

Making your home safe

Make your space safe for your ball of fluff:

Hide the bins
Protect electrical cables
Put bags and medicines out of reach
Remove toxic plants
Create a safe space (crate or pen)
Lock away household products
Restrict access to certain areas

Essential equipment

Here is what you will need:

For	What you need
Eating	Quality kibble, stainless steel or ceramic bowls
Sleeping	Crate (56x61x81 cm), mat, soft toy with a heartbeat
Training	Lead, collar/harness, treats, safe toys
Grooming	Brush, nail clippers, mild shampoo, puppy pads
Health	Supplements, first-aid kit

Remember: your puppy is a baby until 24 weeks. Protect them from extreme temperatures and make sure they have shade and fresh water outdoors.

Tip: plan their arrival for a weekend. On the first night they may cry. Make their crate cosy and put on some soft music to reassure them.

A daily plan for your puppy

A regular timetable is essential for your Toy Shepherd. Here is why and how to set one up:

2.1 Creating a routine

A routine brings:

Stability for your puppy
Help with house-training
A stronger bond between you

An example for an eight-week-old puppy:

Time	Activity
7:00	Wake up, toilet
7:15	Breakfast
7:30	Toilet
8:00	Play (15 min)
10:00	Toilet
12:00	Lunch, toilet
14:00	Nap (2h)
16:00	Toilet, play
18:00	Dinner, toilet
20:00	Bedtime
22:00	Last toilet trip

To remember:

Toilet every 1–2h
3–4 meals a day until 6 months
Short games (5–15 min)
18–20h of sleep a day

“Your Toy Shepherd is a sponge. They absorb everything and are looking for their place in their new family.” – Anne Calmes, breeder

Adapt this programme to your own life, but keep a structure. Regularity helps your puppy feel safe and learn quickly.

Socialise your Toy Shepherd

Socialisation is crucial for your Toy Shepherd puppy. Here is how to do it well:

3.1 New sounds and places

Start early, at around 6–8 weeks. Expose your puppy to different people, sounds and places. Use treats to create positive associations.

“Behavioural problems, not disease, are the leading cause of death in dogs under three.” – American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

Experiences	Examples
Sounds	Vacuum cleaner, doorbell, thunderstorm
People	Children, older people, wheelchair users
Places	Park, busy street, café
Animals	Vaccinated dogs, cats

Advice:

Start with short sessions
Watch your puppy’s body language
Increase the intensity gradually

Activities:

Walks around the neighbourhood
Visits to friends
Puppy classes (after vaccinations)

Never stop socialising your Toy Shepherd. It is an ongoing process for keeping a sociable dog.

Teaching the basic commands

Your Toy Shepherd puppy should learn the basic commands from the moment they arrive at 8 weeks. It is crucial.

4.1 Fundamental commands to teach

Focus on these four commands:

Command	Why it matters
Sit	The basis of everything
Stay	Safety and control
Come	Essential recall
Down	Calm and self-control

To teach “sit”:

Treat near the nose
Raise it above their head
When they sit: click or “Yes!” + reward

Do this several times a day, five minutes maximum.

4.2 Treats and praise

Rewards are the key:

Small puppy treats
Match the reward to the difficulty
Maximum 10% of daily calories from treats

“Start training early. It sets your puppy up for later.” – Eukanuba

For success:

A quiet place for training
Add distractions little by little
Stay positive and enthusiastic
Always finish on a success

Remember: patience and consistency are your best assets in training your Toy Shepherd.

House-training

House-training your Toy Shepherd? It is crucial. And it takes patience.

5.1 Choosing a spot

Find a corner outside for your puppy’s needs. That will help them make the connection.

A few tips:

Take them out every 1–2 hours (especially before 8 weeks)
Use a word such as “wee”
Reward them straight afterwards

“A rewarded behaviour will be repeated. It becomes a habit.” – Preventive Vet

A typical schedule for an eight-week-old puppy:

When	What to do
On waking	Outside
After meals	Outside (10–15 min)
After play	Quick trip outside
Before bed	Last trip outside

Accidents? Normal. Do not punish them. Clean up and carry on with the training.

It generally takes 4 to 8 weeks. But every puppy is different. Be patient, your Toy Shepherd will get there.

Crate training

The crate is your Toy Shepherd’s cosy little nest. But how do you get them to love it?

Why a crate? It offers:

A safe refuge
A boost for house-training
Protection against mischief
Comfort when travelling

Here are the basics:

The right size

Choose a crate suited to your adult Toy Shepherd, with a divider for the puppy stage.

A cosy nest

Add a soft bed, a blanket and toys. An item carrying your scent is the finishing touch.

Gently but surely

Leave the crate open. Your puppy should explore it at their own pace.

Pleasant moments

Associate the crate with treats and meals. Your puppy will love it.

Puppy’s age	Maximum time in the crate
8–10 weeks	30–60 min
11–14 weeks	1–3h
15–16 weeks	3–4h
17+ weeks	4–5h

Tip: a good session of exercise before the crate, and your puppy will settle more easily.

“Crating your dog can seem strange. But it is often harder for us than for them.” – Nikki, dog trainer

Do not forget: the crate is NEVER a punishment. It is your Toy Shepherd’s little paradise.

With a little patience, your puppy will soon adore their crate. Promise.

sbb-itb-f1d4565

Walking on the lead

Teaching your Toy Shepherd to walk on a lead is crucial. Here is how:

7.1 Getting used to the collar and lead

Equipment

Choose an adjustable nylon collar and a short training lead.

Familiarisation

Let your puppy explore the collar and lead. Associate them with positive moments.

Fit

Measure your puppy’s neck. Leave two fingers’ width under the collar.

“A harness and lead offer better control, especially for Australian Shepherds, which pull.” – Dr Brian Collins, vet

7.2 Learning to walk calmly

Start indoors

Practise in a quiet place. Use treats to keep your puppy close to you.

The “tree” method

Stop when the lead goes tight. Set off again when it slackens.

Reward

Give treats and encouragement for good behaviour.

Prepare your puppy

Tire them out before training. Practise off lead first.

Short sessions

Start with 5–10 minutes. Increase gradually.

Puppy’s age	Length of walk
8–12 weeks	5–10 minutes
3–4 months	15–20 minutes
4–6 months	20–30 minutes

Patience and consistency are your allies. Soon your Toy Shepherd will be a walking pro.

Grooming and handling

Grooming is crucial for your Toy Shepherd. Here is how to do it well:

8.1 Getting used to being touched

Start early. Familiarise your puppy with grooming from the moment they arrive. It will make future care and vet visits easier.

Keep sessions short and positive. Start with five minutes. Use treats.

Gently touch their paws, ears and mouth. That will help with vet examinations.

Introduce brushes and nail clippers gradually. Let them sniff first.

Brush once or twice a week. More during moulting.

When	What to do
1–2 times a week	Brush
Every 2–3 months	Bath
Once a month	Check nails
Once a week	Check ears

To brush, dampen the coat lightly. Brush in the direction of the coat, from the shoulders backwards.

Bath every 2–3 months. No more often, as it can cause irritation.

“Expose your puppy to other healthy, vaccinated dogs.” – Dr Peggy Timm, Australian Shepherd owner

Consider the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy programme. They will learn good manners and socialise.

These steps will help your Toy Shepherd enjoy grooming. It will strengthen your bond and make long-term care easier.

Managing Toy Shepherd puppy challenges

Toy Shepherd puppies can be little devils. Here is how to tame their most irritating behaviours:

9.1 Too much barking? Do not panic

Barking is normal. But when it becomes an endless symphony, here is how to put a stop to it:

Find the reason (boredom? anxiety?)
Ignore attention-seeking barking, reward calm
Teach them “quiet” with treats
Give them toys to keep them occupied

“Understanding why your dog barks is the key to solving the problem.” – Doggy Dan, dog expert

9.2 Afraid of being alone? Take it slowly

Does your puppy panic when you leave? Here is how to help them:

Get them used to being alone little by little
Leave and come back without making a fuss
Leave a t-shirt that smells of you
Give them toys to distract themselves

Time alone	What to do
5–10 min	Start here
30 min	Increase gradually
1–2h	Aim for this with a 3–4 month puppy

9.3 Chewing everything? Channel it

Chewing is natural. But not your shoes. Here is how to manage it:

Give them suitable chew toys
Say “No!” and replace with a toy
Put dangerous objects away
Use gates to restrict access

“Address the cause of the chewing, not just the symptoms.” – Dr Peggy Timm, behavioural vet

With these tips, your Toy Shepherd will become a model of good behaviour.

Exercise and puzzle games

Toy Shepherds need to move AND to think. Here is how to keep them in shape:

10.1 Exercise for the little ones

These dogs are always on the go. They need at least 60 minutes of intense exercise a day. But be careful with the joints of puppies under six months.

What can you do?

Daily walks at a relaxed pace
Ball-throwing games
Games in a secure garden

Here is a plan of attack:

Activity	Duration	Why it is great
Walking	2 x 30 min a day	Burns energy, new discoveries
Play	2 x 15 min a day	Moves and thinks
Agility	10–15 min a day	Terrific coordination

10.2 Toys for clever minds

These bright little dogs love mental challenges. A few ideas:

Food puzzles: hide treats in a complicated toy.
The cups game: hide a treat under a cup and shuffle them.
Treasure hunt: hide toys or treats around the house.

An easy game to make yourself:

“Take some old towels. Put treats inside. Fold them several times, adding treats at each fold.” – Peak City Puppy

Aim for 30 minutes of games a day, in two 15-minute sessions.

A Toy Shepherd that moves AND thinks = a happy, well-behaved dog.

Nutrition and health

Your Toy Shepherd’s health depends on good nutrition and regular veterinary care. Here is how to achieve that:

11.1 Feeding your puppy

Your Toy Shepherd needs a diet suited to their size and their activity:

20 g of food per kilo of body weight per day
3–4 meals a day until 12 months
Quality kibble with meat as the main ingredient

Age	Meals a day	Quantity
2–4 months	4	20–25 g/kg
4–6 months	3	20 g/kg
6–12 months	2–3	20 g/kg
Adult	2	1–1.5 cups a day

Adjust according to your puppy’s activity and growth.

11.2 Veterinary visits

Essential to your puppy’s health:

First visit: as soon as you adopt
Vaccinations: every 3–4 weeks until 16–20 weeks
Examinations: monthly until 4 months, then annually

The vet will check their weight, give vaccinations, examine eyes, ears and teeth, and discuss nutrition and preventive care.

“Dogs often hide their pain. Early diagnosis can prevent suffering.” – Dr Jerry Klein, AKC Chief Veterinary Officer

Think of treats to create a positive association with the vet’s surgery.

Conclusion

Raising a Toy Shepherd is hard work. But do not panic, here is what to remember:

Start early. Your ball of fluff is ready to learn from 7–8 weeks.

Consistency is the key. Same commands, same rewards. Otherwise confusion is guaranteed.

A routine is reassuring. Your puppy will feel safe with a regular timetable.

What	How much
Meals	3–4 times a day
Toilet	Every hour (at first)
Training	2–3 times a day, 5–10 min
Exercise	1–2 hours a day

Patience and perseverance. It takes time, especially for house-training.

Reward good behaviour. Treats and cuddles work.

Socialise your puppy. Introduce them to plenty of people, animals and places.

Remember: every puppy is unique. Adapt this advice to their personality. With love and consistency, your Toy Shepherd will become a wonderful companion.

FAQs

Are mini Australian Shepherds difficult to house-train?

No. These dogs are intelligent and learn quickly. But your involvement is crucial.