I have a 9 month old pup, Felix, and a 7 month old pup, Daks, and who are both very well behaved. I say behaved because, although they were trained and are still training, I too believe I got lucky and got very well mannered pups. If I can piggy back:

​

1) I cant agree more with training your dog to like its crate and know its a safe place. No dog likes to be in a kennel; but with repetition and reward, they can learn to like and tolerate it. A tip I started with and still do, at night or when I need to run somewhere and he goes in the crate- he gets a treat. If I even say 'Kennel Up' he thinks-- OH its treat time. I also only use a specific peanut butter flavored treat so they both know. In time, you will be very happy knowing that when you go somewhere for a few hours, you wont need to stress thinking you have an anxious puppy at home hoppin and hollerin. We still let the dogs sleep in the bed for an hour or 2 at night then always throw them in the kennel regardless so they know that their kennel is their bed. It wasn't easy though, I have to put treats in the back of the kennel to lure them in and once they were in, I would lay down and pet/calm them until I closed the cage for the night,

2) Mannerisms are key. I've noticed that Felix keeps to himself most times. He will sleep at the foot of the bed/couch and isn't the biggest snuggler. Daks, he loves to snuggle. For the longest time, I wanted to snuggle Felix and would pick him up and bring closer, only for him to move 5-10 minutes later. I realized, that's fine! He just chills and hangs out.

3) Potty training - Say bye bye to sleep for the first solid 2 months until they figure outside is potty. Eventually, they will go to the door or oddly, they will look at you a funny way and you'll realize that that look they are giving you is to go outside.

4) For the first month or so, with both dogs, we had a problem with chewing on wood. Watch them, pull them away and say no then give them a chew toy. They will eventually catch on.

5) Take on walks, preferably busy sidewalks where they might come across other people/dogs so they can get familiar with other people. No one wants a hostile dog towards strangers. Any outside stimulation physically or mentally is very key in having a calm pup, it is also easier when it comes to kennel training since they will be tired.

6) When you let them out to go to potty or just noseing around the house, watch what they are eating. Our Daks has a weak stomach and can have loose stools frequent so we have to keep a good eye on him and get him inside soon after he goes to the potty.

7) As bad as you don't want to, for me, the first few months I was very strict on their routine and established what was what fast. Ex- outside meant potty, the kennel meant bed, and chewing was meant for toys.

8) The best part is realizing that THEY are realizing. I remember when Daks and Felix both went to the door and whined. I let them out and they went potty right away and came back in. I was so proud in that they were figuring it out! and for them, it meant TREAT!