This Christmas, at Canine Learning Academy, we are making sure that our dogs are included in our Holiday Festivities by presenting 12 tricks Christmas dog countdown that you can do with your beloved dog. Learn and practice right at home where your dog feels safe.
With so much going on at this time of year, with friends and family visiting, presents to buy, and parties to attend, it can throw our dogs’ regular routine by the wayside.
It’s essential for our dogs that we meet their needs no matter what is going on and trick training is a great way to ensure our dogs get physical and mental exercise every day.
To make it super simple and easy, we’ve got 12 Tricks for you and your dog to have a go at during this Christmas Holiday Countdown.
On the twelfth day of Trixmas, my true love gave to me…
12 Days of Trick Training
11 Tricks and counting
10 Minutes training
9 Dogs, a dancing
8 Puppies pouncing
7 Snacks for snuffling
6 Socks for stealing
5 Golden Doodles
4 Waggy tails
3 Delicious Treats
2 Daily walks
1 Happy Dog, sleeping under the tree
All it takes is 10 minutes of training to have a rested and happy dog – they’ll be curling up by the Christmas tree instead of stealing the baubles off its branches.
Each trick is accessible for all levels, so if you’re new to training tricks, we start from the basics, and if you’ve been training a little while we offer suggestions to increase the level of difficulty to get your dogs, cogs turning.
12 tricks Christmas Dog Countdown, let’s begin…
Day 1: Tell Santa a Secret
Teaching your dog how to whisper a secret in your ear is the most adorable trick and it’s the first of 12 tricks to try this Christmas Countdown.
Yo Armendariz goes over all the steps to get this adorable trick down with your dog.
Tell Santa a Secret is an Intermediate trick in which when cued your dog will approach you and place its nose near your ear as if telling you a secret. The dog should hold be able to hold the position for 1-2 seconds. Small dogs may need to use a step-up or platform to reach your ear.
Day 2: Remove my Christmas Socks
After a long day of shopping, teach your dog to remove your socks and hand them back to you.
Teaching your dog to Remove your socks is trick number two of 12 tricks to try this Christmas Countdown.
Yo Armendariz shows you all the steps to making this trick a reality for you and your dog.
Pull off your socks – a great party trick when you’ve eaten way too much Christmas Dinner and can’t reach your feet.
Day 3: Find the hidden treats
Yo Armendariz shows all the steps for this trick and how you can even make it more challenging for dogs that have already mastered this trick.
This trick is a really great way to get your dog to use their nose.
Find hidden treats is trick number three of 12 tricks to try this Christmas Countdown.
It’s really tiring work for your dog to intensely sniff and search for treats. For this game, you really only need to do 5-10 minutes of searching for your dog to be satisfied and guaranteed to sleep well afterward.
Day 4: Paws in a gift box and pose for a photo
“Paws in a box” is trick number Four of 12 tricks to try this Christmas Countdown.
Check out the full step-by-step of how to teach your dog to pose for a photo with their feet in a gift box- CLICK HERE
This is perfect for getting great photos of your dog posing wherever, once your dog knows to put their paws on a box, you can take this trick on the road and ask them to put their feet on all sorts of objects.
Day 5: Beg for cookies (sit pretty)
Just a little heads up, this trick takes a lot of core strength for your dog so go steady when building up to a longer duration. With puppies or older dogs start with putting paws onto your arm or an object to support them.
Dogs with injuries to knees or hips may struggle with this, so be mindful that if your dog *opts out* of this trick, they may be telling you something hurts.
Day 6: Jump over my knee
Yo demonstrates with her dog all the steps needed to get this easy trick on cue
It’s really important when teaching your dog to jump that they have a stable surface to jump off from and land on. We want to avoid our dogs slipping as this can cause injury. Ideally, be on a padded carpet or put down a yoga mat for your dog so they have a grippy surface to land on.
Day 7: Kiss Santa
Yo Armendariz shows how you can use a sticky-note to teach your dog to kiss your hand or cheek.
Watch the live video recorded in December 2022, of how to teach your dog to give Santa (or any other family member) a kiss under the mistletoe.
Day 8: Jump through my arms
Yo demonstrates Live – jump through my circled arms with her dog Bandit the Tiny Bernedoodle
This is a great way to progress from jumping over your knee. Once your dog understands jumping over something you could even make this one Christmassy by using a hoop covered in tinsel.
Day 9:Weave through my legs
Yo demonstrates Leg Weave, Figure 8, Arm Weave and Hoop Leg Weave
To learn how to teach your dog to dance with you this festive season by weaving through your legs, check out the live with Yo. Besides teaching your dog to leg weave, Yo shows a few other tricks such as “Figure eight” “Arm Weave” and “Hoop Leg Weave”.
Day 10:Bring me my Christmas Slippers
Check out the video to learn how to teach your dog how to bring your Christmas Slippers – another great trick that’s really useful when you’re curled up watching movies.
Day 11: Ring Toss
Check out the full step-by-step of how to teach your dog to play Ring Toss- Click Here
The step-by-steps has a lot of juicy details.
Day 12:Turn off/on the Christmas lights
To learn how to teach this useful trick, check out the full step-by-step live video with Yo and her pups. This live broadcast covers it all.
For this we want to have dog-friendly lights, I like to use:
Kurtis Swinson with Axel the Australian Labradoodle
This is a great intermediate-level trick to get your dog paw targeting, which has loads of other potential uses. Such as filing your dog’s nails.
Your dog should already have a paw target to hand before doing this trick.
Start by getting your pet to sit in front of you on a non-slippery surface. Reward your dog for getting into a sit so that they will more likely to hold the position
Cue your dog to offer their paw, and present your hand palm up right at their knee level off to the side. This will help remind your dog to offer their paw instead of their nose.
Repeat a few times before moving onto the next steps.
Next, cue the paw target but this time present your hand slightly tilted towards them. And then reward for each success.
Eventually, the goal is to slowly change your hand position from palm up to palm facing your dog at shoulder level.
Once you are able to move your hand to the new position you can rename the cue to something like “High Five”.
That’s it!
Earn your Titles?
In order to earn your Trick Titles, first you need to teach your dog some fun tricks!
Different tricks are considered different levels of difficulty and so will apply to certain titles. Check the tricks section below for more information on which tricks to work on!
When you’re ready, check out the AKC Trick Title List- Click here
Take a look at the, Do More With Your Dog Trick Title List- Click here
Then you need to have a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) witness those tricks. Canine Learning Academy’d Trick instructors, Yo Armendariz and Julia Fryman, are Certified Trick Dog Instructors, and can witness your tricks for you to earn titles in both the AKC and Do More With Your Dog!
Once we’ve witnessed and approved your tricks, and you have shown enough tricks to earn the title, you can submit the title application to earn your title!
Did you know we can witness your tricks virtually via video? All you have to do is post your videos directly into our Private Facebook Group – Click Here to Join. In addition, other options are to reach out and send on messenger or by text if you prefer.
If you already taught your dog the tricks on the list and you are ready to turn it in for the title. Then all you have to do next is click here: DMWYD Trick Title Application
You will get a Title Certificate and can also receive a Ribbon!
And that’s a gift Wrap!
Watch the Full 12 Days of Christmas Here CLICK HERE, and above all have a wonderful time practicing these tricks together with your dog.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us at Canine Learning Academy
Santa (played by Diane Waked), Bandit (tiny Bernedoodle), JD (mini Aussiedoodle), Bentley (standard Aussiedoodle), and Yo Armendariz
Creating a Puppy Schedule and Routine: The Secret to a Happy, Well-Behaved Dog
Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting — and overwhelming — experiences you’ll ever have. Between potty training, naps, playtime, and socialization, your puppy depends on you to bring structure to their brand-new world. One of the most powerful tools you can give your pup from day one is a consistent schedule and routine.
What Is a Puppy Schedule?
A puppy schedule is a predictable daily rhythm that includes set times for meals, potty breaks, naps, play, training, and bedtime. Just like children, puppies thrive on knowing what to expect. A routine helps them learn faster, feel secure, and settle into family life with confidence.
A typical day for a young puppy might include:
Morning potty break right after waking up
Breakfast, followed by a short play session or walk
Nap time in their crate or pen
Midday potty break and lunch
Play, training, or socialization time
Dinner and evening potty walk
Quiet time and bedtime routine around the same time each night
Why It’s Important
A consistent routine teaches your puppy how to behave by helping them predict what happens next.
Supports house training: Predictable potty breaks reduce accidents.
Encourages calm behavior: Regular naps prevent overstimulation and biting from fatigue.
Builds confidence: Puppies feel safer when life feels predictable.
Makes training easier: When puppies know when to rest, eat, and play, they can focus better during lessons.
Strengthens your bond: Daily repetition builds trust and communication between you and your puppy.
When routines are inconsistent, puppies can become anxious, overexcited, or confused about expectations. A structured day sets the foundation for a lifetime of good habits and harmony.
How to Create a Routine That Works
Start Simple – Map out your day and match your puppy’s needs to your lifestyle. Puppies under 5 months need to go potty every 2–3 hours, nap often, and have short bursts of activity.
Use Visual Reminders – Write your puppy’s schedule on a whiteboard, planner, or fridge chart. Consistency among family members is key.
Anchor Key Moments – Keep wake-up, mealtime, and bedtime consistent. Build everything else (training, play, walks) around those anchor points.
Balance Activity and Rest – Puppies need 16–18 hours of sleep per day! Alternate 30–60 minutes of awake time with naps.
Include Mental Enrichment – Add puzzle feeders, sniff walks, and short training games into the day to meet your puppy’s need for mental stimulation.
Adjust as They Grow – Your schedule should evolve as your puppy matures. Potty breaks get longer, naps get shorter, and more training time can be added.
Daily Routine Ideas for Your Puppy
Mix & Match Activities to Fit Your Schedule
Every puppy — and every family — has a different rhythm. The key to raising a happy, confident dog is giving your puppy the right balance of physical exercise, mental stimulation, social experiences, and training. Think of these categories as puzzle pieces that make up your puppy’s ideal day.
You don’t need to do everything every day. Instead, pick one or two ideas from each category and rotate them throughout the week. The variety keeps your puppy engaged and prevents boredom, frustration, and unwanted behaviors.
1. Physical Enrichment
Helps burn energy, build coordination, and satisfy natural instincts like chasing, tugging, and digging.
How to use: Schedule one or two physical activities during your puppy’s awake times. Keep sessions short and fun (5–10 minutes for young pups). Physical play helps your dog release energy appropriately so they’re calm at home.
2. Mental Enrichment
Exercises your puppy’s brain and builds problem-solving skills — a tired mind is a happy mind.
Tearing up a box
Ball pit fun
Food puzzles or snuffle mats
ACE Free Work (choice-based exploration)
Scavenger hunt for treats
Treat Tournament
Muffin tin game
Frozen Kong or lick mat
Trash bag game
Paper towel roll challenge
DIY enrichment crafts
How to use: Offer one or two mental games daily, especially when you can’t provide as much physical activity. These activities reduce frustration, promote independence, and make alone time more peaceful.
To learn more about enrichment, check out our blog- CLICK HERE
3. Training (During Meal Time)
Turns everyday feeding into mini lessons that teach manners and focus.
Loose leash walking position
Harness & leash on/off practice
Collar/harness grab
Recall (“Come!”)
“Go to…” (place, mat, crate, etc.)
“Get” or “Find it” games
“Which one?” choice games
Target training (hand, object, or mat)
Trick training
Polite greetings
Sit, down, stay, settle on a mat
Front & back door manners
Paws up / paws off
Paw target to hand or object
Shake, pull it, take it, drop, leave it
How to use: Use a portion of your puppy’s meal as rewards during 5–10-minute sessions. Training through mealtime builds focus, patience, and communication while keeping your puppy mentally sharp.
4. Socialization & Exposure
Builds confidence and prevents fear during the critical early learning window (8–16 weeks, and beyond).
Explore new environments
Make a DIY obstacle course at home
Visit public places (store fronts, sidewalks)
Play sound desensitization tracks
Introduce water in a positive way
Gentle grooming and handling
Cooperative care practice (touching paws, ears, teeth)
Visit parks or sit near dog parks (observe only)
Field trip to a school or café
Car rides
Watch kids playing (at a safe distance)
Grocery or hardware store parking lots
How to use: Choose calm, positive environments and keep sessions short. Always pair new experiences with treats and praise. The goal is to create good first impressions, not to overwhelm.
Puppy Socialization
Early Puppy Socialization Is Essential—not just a nice-to-have, but a critical piece of raising a well-adjusted, confident dog. In fact, most behavior issues seen in adult dogs stem from missed or incomplete socialization during the early weeks of life.
If you’re a new puppy parent, it’s important to understand why early puppy socialization is essential to your dog’s lifelong health and happiness. From preventing fear-based behaviors to building emotional resilience, early puppy socialization is essential for setting your pup up for success in our human world.
To learn more about Puppy Socialization, check out this blog. CLICK HERE
5. Training Concepts to Reinforce Every Day
These are the core emotional skills that shape a dog’s behavior for life.
Confidence
Calmness
Flexibility (adapting to change)
Focus
Independence
Proximity (comfort staying near you)
Self-control
Problem solving
How to use: Every game, walk, or cuddle time is an opportunity to strengthen one of these concepts. For example, waiting at the door teaches self-control, sniff walks build confidence, and trick training improves focus.
Putting It All Together
Build your puppy’s day like this:
Morning: Potty break, breakfast training, short walk
Midday: Nap, mental enrichment game, social outing
Afternoon: Physical play, crate rest, calm chew
Evening: Short training session, dinner, quiet cuddle time
Consistency matters, but flexibility keeps it fun. As your puppy grows, you’ll notice what type of activities tire them out most — that’s your cue to adjust and evolve their schedule.
Sample Daily Puppy Schedule & Routine
(Use this as a flexible guide and adjust as needed to fit your household.)
Bringing a puppy into your home is an exciting adventure — and consistency will be your best friend. Puppies thrive on predictability. A steady routine helps them learn faster, feel secure, and build good habits that last a lifetime.
This example schedule follows a natural rhythm for a young puppy’s day, balancing potty training, rest, play, and mental enrichment. Feel free to mix and match activities to suit your schedule.
Morning Routine
5:00 a.m. — Early Potty Break & Back to Bed Start the day with a quick potty break, then return the puppy to the crate to rest until morning. Why: Puppies’ bladders are still developing, so early morning potty breaks prevent accidents. Troubleshooting: If the puppy struggles to settle back down, keep lights low and limit interaction — treat it like a calm, nighttime routine, not playtime.
6:30 a.m. — Potty Break & Loose Leash Walking Practice Carry the puppy to the designated potty area and calmly wait for them to go. Offer soft verbal praise (“potty potty!”) as they begin and again when they finish. Afterward, clip on the leash and practice short Loose Leash Walking sessions — just a few steps at a time. Why: Consistency builds a clear potty routine and helps prevent accidents in the house. Early leash practice sets the foundation for calm walking. Troubleshooting: If the puppy doesn’t go after 10–15 minutes, calmly return them to the crate and try again in 20 minutes. Avoid extended play until after they’ve gone potty.
6:45 a.m. — Breakfast & Training Games Use breakfast as training rewards. Practice simple exercises like recall (“come”), “find it,” or a few leash walking steps. Keep sessions to 1–2 minutes per skill. Why: Training during mealtime boosts focus and makes learning part of the daily routine. Troubleshooting: If the puppy loses focus, reduce distractions or use higher-value treats. Shorten the session rather than repeating cues too often.
8:00 a.m. — Potty Break & Crate Rest Offer another potty break before placing the puppy in their crate for rest. Cover the crate lightly and play calming music or white noise. Why: Teaches independence and helps the puppy learn to self-soothe. Troubleshooting: If the puppy cries, ensure they don’t need to potty again, then wait for short moments of quiet before offering reassurance. Reward calmness, not barking.
Mid-Morning Routine
10:00 a.m. — Potty Break & Play Session Take the puppy to potty, then enjoy a short, structured play session. This might include tug, trading toys, or short fetch games. Why: Controlled play teaches impulse control and strengthens the bond between you and your puppy. Troubleshooting: If the puppy becomes nippy or overstimulated, switch to a calm activity like a sniff game or a short leash walk indoors.
11:00 a.m. — Potty Break & Nap Time Offer another potty break before placing the puppy back in the crate for a mid-morning nap. Why: Young puppies need 16–18 hours of sleep per day to grow and process learning. Troubleshooting: If the puppy resists napping, use a covered crate, a chew toy, and calming background noise to encourage rest.
Daytime Routine
1:00 p.m. — Potty Break & Reinforce Calm Entries/Exits Take a potty break and practice calm behavior while clipping on and removing the leash. Why: Builds impulse control and helps the puppy learn that the leash doesn’t always mean high excitement. Troubleshooting: Wait for calmness before opening the door — patience now prevents leash reactivity later.
1:15 p.m. — Training & Field Trip (Carried) Use part of lunch for short training sessions like recall or “touch.” Then, if safe, carry the puppy or use a carrier for a short field trip — watching traffic, hearing sounds, or sitting outside a café. Why: Gentle exposure builds confidence and prevents future fears. Troubleshooting: Keep experiences positive and short. If the puppy seems unsure (tail tucked, ears back), increase distance and pair the moment with treats.
2:30 p.m. — Potty & Quiet Time in Crate After returning home, allow a potty break, then crate for a nap. Why: Teaches transitions between activity and calm — an essential skill for good behavior. Troubleshooting: If the puppy struggles to settle, add a frozen chew or snuffle mat in the crate.
Afternoon Routine
4:30 p.m. — Potty Break & Short Walk or Training Refresher Offer a potty break followed by leash walking or a few short commands like “sit” and “stay.” Why: Reinforces focus and manners after napping. Troubleshooting: If the puppy is distracted, move training indoors or reduce distractions.
4:45 p.m. — Dinner & Interactive Play Use dinner as part of a training or enrichment session. Introduce new textures, toys, or mild challenges like a puzzle feeder. Why: Turns meals into learning opportunities and prevents boredom. Troubleshooting: If the puppy isn’t eating, make mealtime calmer or hand-feed small portions during training games.
5:00–7:30 p.m. — Evening Engagement & Alone Time Allow structured play, short field trips, or relaxed family time. Keep the puppy awake so they’re ready to sleep overnight. Why: Builds resilience, confidence, and social comfort. Troubleshooting: If the puppy becomes overtired (zoomies, biting), end play early, potty, and crate for a brief rest before resuming.
Evening & Bedtime Routine
7:30 p.m. — Potty & Bedtime Wind-Down Offer a potty break, then quiet time with a chew or gentle massage before bedtime. Why: Creates a calm association with nighttime and signals the day is ending. Troubleshooting: Avoid rough play or stimulation before bed — it can delay sleep.
10:00 p.m. — Final Potty & Overnight Crate Time Give one last potty opportunity before settling the puppy into the crate for the night. Why: Prevents overnight accidents and strengthens the habit of holding it until morning. Troubleshooting: If accidents occur, adjust timing (earlier dinner, more frequent evening breaks).
Key Takeaways
Consistency builds confidence. Keep routines predictable but flexible to fit your lifestyle.
Balance activity and rest. Overtired puppies struggle to learn; rested puppies are focused and calm.
Use every moment as a lesson. From potty time to dinner, structure creates success.
Stay patient and positive. Every puppy learns at their own pace — celebrate progress, not perfection.
Was this routine helpful for you and your puppy? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Be sure to follow our YouTube channel for step-by-step training videos and real-life puppy progress stories, or check out our Instagram page for daily tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and adorable student updates.
If you’d like personalized guidance or want to learn more about our training programs, contact Canine Learning Academy today — we’re here to help you and your pup build confidence, connection, and lifelong skills together.
I’m the founder of Canine Learning Academy, Huntington Beach’s premier destination for Puppy Training, and I’m so pleased you’re here!
We are training the next generation of puppies with our innovative science-based, force-free, fun & effective approach from our state-of-the-art facility.
The right input now determines the successful adult dog of tomorrow so come and experience the difference of elite puppy training!
