Imagine you have a blank sheet of paper in a typewriter.  You have been informed that you can only fill the page once and with no erasures allowed.  In addition, you only have a few weeks to fill the page, and to top it all off, what you put on that page will leave its effect for the rest of the reader's life! This is how I view the first weeks of a puppy's life!  From the time they arrive in your house, to the time they reach 4 months of age, you can fill that blank page with lots of information.  This period of "sponge" learning is the best time to teach the puppy. Unfortunately, it often goes  unnoticed by many people.   Much of this time period in the puppy's life  already contains so much stress and negativity due to the natural occurrences of  its development. Chewing, teething, house soiling, nipping, and other behaviors are all "wrong" to us, but perfectly normal for a puppy.  As humans, we want to eradicate all these needs completely, when what ought to do  is shape  them into positive and acceptable behaviors.  So, what's a human to do?  Start shaping that behavior from the first day you receive the puppy, instead of waiting till he's 5 or 6 months old!  Use positive moments to teach!  Now, since most people can't follow the puppy around all day cramming information into its head, it is important to be able to utilize some planned time periods when teachable moments occur!   
RECOGNIZING THE TRAINING MOMENTS IN YOUR PUP'S LIFE!   It is not hard, once you have the tools, to utilize minutes and even seconds in the puppy's daily schedule for positive behavior shaping.  What follows covers some of  the more basic places to start   I hope this will encourage you to understand how to look for these moments on your own!
FEEDING TIME:  Since this occurs two to three times during a day, it is a perfect time to teach! First, the mere act of having your puppy watch you prepare its meal, teaches him a valuable lesson in leadership order.  As the household leader, meal prep indicates to the puppy that he depends on YOU for his meals.  This is important to the puppy's attitude! Second, you can use this time to begin shaping the "sit" exercise.  Simply hold one piece of food at the pup's nose and slowly move your hand backward. As his head tips back to follow the piece of food, the pup's bottom will reach the floor.  Immediately praise and pop the food in his mouth.   You need not add the command "sit" until he is consistently sitting with the hand motion. Third, you can use this time to teach your puppy to "kennel up".  Crate training is always easier if you train the puppy to like his crate.  This is best accomplished with food, so what better way than to feed him his meals in his crate!!!!  Once you have prepared the meal for the pup head for the crate and say "kennel" as you go there.  As you put the food in the crate, repeat the "kennel" command.  (You can use any command you wish to for this, just make sure you always use the same one.) Fourth, if you have a  puppy who is doing a lot of growling or nipping, and guarding of toys or food, feeding time  further enhances your leadership position.  Once the puppy has done his brief  sit for food, hold the bowl in your lap as you sit in a chair and feed the puppy 8 or 10 pieces by hand. Then, set the bowl down at your feet and remain near the puppy as he eats. Say nothing if he growls and do not back off  or react.  When he is quiet, softly say "good boy" and remain where you are till he is done. Once he accepts you standing near him as he eats, further reinforce his good behavior by adding a  piece of cheese or liver to his bowl as he eats. As you can see, feeding time presents many moments for you and your puppy! Try to think of as many ways as you can to use this time, even as your puppy grows older.
POTTY TIME:  You can teach your puppy commands that mean an immense amounts you are housetraining him.  For instance, in the morning as you get the puppy up, say "time to go out" or "do you want to go out?" and head straight for the door.  Praise as you go out the door, and praise as he approaches his potty area.  Assign a command to the actual act.  "Hurry Up" or "Better go now" are great commands to shape his behavior for the future.   Once he knows them, through time and repetition, you can use them to literally have him go on command.   
PLAY TIME:  Teaching during play presents the largest variety of   moments for your puppy. You can shape his behavior simply by praising when he picks up a toy he can have.  As he goes toward a toy and picks it up, you can "name" the item--for instance--bone.  "Good boy, get your bone."  I have gone so far as to name different types of ball for my dogs. "T-ball" and "squeaky" ball mean two distinctly different things to the dogs. You can teach the puppy to release a toy as you play, too.  When the puppyish tugging with you, give the command "release" or "enough."  Often, if you say it sharply (not loudly), the puppy will drop the item right away.   If he does, you can praise, withhold the item for a few seconds, then resume your game. Practice this in short sessions every time you play with your puppy.  Contrary to popular opinion, this will not make your puppy aggressive, as long as YOU control the game, not him. Teaching this commandos a way of controlling the action.  Puppies actually need rough play and tug is a good way to wear him out and release frustrations. If your puppy does not release on your command, simply squeeze his lower jaw at the back corners--firm pressure of gums against teeth.  You must hold onto the item you are tugging with one hand and do the squeeze with the other. The puppy will release with firm, constant pressure and when he does release, praise!   Soon, you will have a puppy who releases when told and with whom you can play tug games with confidence!   Anytime you want to stop the game, just trade him a chew bone and take the tug elsewhere until you want to play again.
SOME SUBTLE TIMES:  Recognizing other moments could also be called, learning to read your dog.  Dog behavior is fairly easy. They have no hidden agendas. When your puppy looks at the garbage can it means he is THINKING about getting into the garbage!   This is the time to teach by sharply clapping the hands and giving a clipped "hey" or "ahh-ahh."   This will surprise the puppy and also further convince him that you are a wise leader worthy of his respect.  This type of moment takes place practically all day long -- plants newspapers, books, shoes; puppies want them all! Another subtle instant in your puppy's life is also one of my favorites. When your puppy is calm take your index finger and gently stroke between his eyes, in an upward motion, smile and look him straight in the eye.  Do this as he falls asleep, as you  brush him, or as he is sits near you getting abet of  attention.  Tell him you love him and that he is such a good puppy!  You are shaping positive attention and teaching the puppy to look at you. Use this technique as often as you can, for short periods of time and you will have a puppy who loves to look at you.  This is the basis for all future training.   
A FINAL THOUGHT:  Now that you've started writing on that blank sheet of paper, continue thinking up creative ways you might be able to teach your puppy.  In addition, don't stop just because he gets older. You can continue even as you go on to obedience training.  Remember, just keep it positive, and make it fun!

Barbara L. McNinch Author: Training Your Rottweiler Loved and owned by: Esmond's Go For Broke, CD, CGC, Brisco Von Der Konigsbrucke, CD, CGC  Fondly remembering: Shirwin's Cody In Command, CDX