Here’s a comprehensive and practical guide for new owners of a 10-week-old Leonberger puppy. Leonbergers are gentle giants with affectionate, intelligent temperaments. Early training, socialisation, and structured routines are essential to raise a happy, well-balanced adult.
📅 1. Establishing a Routine
A consistent daily routine helps your puppy feel secure and learn what to expect.
Example Daily Schedule:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30–7:00am | Wake up, toilet break |
| 7:00am | Breakfast |
| 7:30–8:00am | Play and short walk/socialisation |
| 8:00–10:00am | Nap |
| 10:00am | Toilet, play/training session |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00–3:00pm | Nap |
| 3:00pm | Toilet, gentle play or walk |
| 5:00pm | Dinner |
| 6:00–7:00pm | Toilet, light play and bonding time |
| 8:00pm | Toilet and settle for the night |
💤 Leonberger puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep per day. Overstimulation can lead to overtiredness and poor behaviour.
🚽 2. Toilet Training
Toilet training requires consistency, patience, and praise.
Key Tips:
Take your puppy outside:
After waking up
After eating or drinking
After playtime
Every 1–2 hours during the day
Always use the same toilet spot and cue word (e.g., “go toilet”).
Praise and reward immediately after they go in the right place.
Never punish accidents. Clean with an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent.
🚨 Watch for signs they need to go: sniffing, circling, whining, or heading to the door.
🍽️ 3. Feeding
A Leonberger puppy needs a nutritionally balanced, large-breed puppy food to support slow and steady growth, protecting joints and bones.
Feeding Guidelines:
Feed 3–4 small meals per day.
Use a high-quality large breed puppy kibble (check labels or consult your vet).
Always provide fresh water.
Monitor weight weekly – overfeeding can cause rapid growth and skeletal issues.
Avoid high-calcium foods and supplements unless directed by your vet.
⚠️ Avoid rawhide, cooked bones, or any treats high in fat or salt.
🐶 4. Socialisation
Leonbergers are naturally friendly but can become wary or timid if under-socialised. Introduce your puppy to a wide variety of people, animals, environments, and experiences in a positive, controlled way.
Positive Socialisation Includes:
People of all ages, ethnicities, wearing hats/uniforms/etc.
Other vaccinated, friendly dogs (puppy classes are great!)
Vets, groomers, car rides, vacuum cleaners, umbrellas
New surfaces: grass, gravel, sand, metal grates
🐕 Attend a puppy preschool class for early learning and social exposure.
🧸 5. Play & Enrichment
Playtime helps puppies learn boundaries and build relationships.
Good Play Practices:
Use soft toys, balls, puzzle feeders.
Tug-of-war (with rules) can be great.
Avoid roughhousing or encouraging jumping – they’re big dogs in training!
Use interactive toys to reduce boredom and support mental development.
🧠 Introduce basic training games during play to keep them thinking (e.g., sit, stay, find it).
🐕 6. Exercise
At 10 weeks, Leonberger puppies need minimal structured exercise—their joints are developing and too much can lead to injury.
General Rule:
5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice per day.
For 10 weeks (~2.5 months): no more than 10–15 minutes twice a day.
Ideal Activities:
Leash walks on soft surfaces
Gentle fetch on grass
Supervised play with other puppies
❌ Avoid stairs, jumping, running with older dogs, or slippery floors.
🛏️ 7. Crate Training & Sleep
Crate training helps with toilet training, creates a safe den-like space, and prepares your puppy for travel or vet stays.
Crate Training Tips:
Choose a crate large enough for adult size with a divider.
Make it comfortable with a soft bed and safe chew toy.
Never use the crate as punishment.
Start with short periods, and slowly build up time.
🧸 Always give a toilet break before crate time and after waking up.
🧑🏫 8. Training Basics
Start early with gentle, positive reinforcement training.
Beginner Commands:
Name recognition
Sit
Come
Stay
Leave it
Use short sessions (3–5 minutes) and reward with treats, toys, and praise.
📚 Consider professional trainers who specialise in large breeds.
🧼 9. Grooming & Handling
Leonbergers will have a thick double coat, so early grooming is vital.
Start now with:
Gentle brushing a few times per week
Handling feet, ears, tail, mouth (for vet/groomer visits)
Bathing only when needed, with dog-safe shampoo
Nail trimming every 2–3 weeks
Teeth brushing 2–3 times per week (use puppy toothpaste)
🪮 Make grooming a positive bonding time with treats and patience.
💉 10. Health & Vet Care
Ensure your puppy is up to date with:
Vaccinations (core + any region-specific)
Flea, worm, and tick prevention
Microchipping and registration
Talk to your vet about:
Desexing age (varies for giant breeds—often after 12–18 months)
Growth rate and joint care
Diet and supplements
❤️ Final Thoughts
Raising a Leonberger is a rewarding journey. Their gentle, calm nature and loyalty make them a joy to live with, but their size means early investment in training and routine is essential. The habits you build now will shape a confident, well-mannered adult dog.
Would you like a printable version of this guide or a checklist to use daily?
