Getting a puppy is not a decision to be made lightly. Not only will a dog be with you for years, but training takes time, commitment and effort.
Dogs are often likened to children, and the comparison is apt in many ways. Like babies and toddlers, puppies need a lot of sleep and extra care when they’re teething; they require potty training and have to be taught appropriate behaviour. Meanwhile, obedience training, food, medical bills and pet accessories can rack up hefty bills.
According to Rachel Rodgers, a clinical animal behaviourist and the Head of Training and Behaviour at Napo Pet Insurance, people underestimate how taxing training a young dog really is.
“It. Is. HARD. I’ve got an eight-week-old puppy who’s been home with me for three days, and I’m absolutely shattered – and that’s coming from someone with over a decade of experience,” she tells Country Living. “Don’t expect it to be easy or smooth sailing. It’s not. It takes time, consistency, patience, and a whole lot of hard work.”
In fact, according to Dr James Ede, a veterinary surgeon, the first 100 days after a puppy arrives in your home are the most crucial.
“Training not only provides essential mental stimulation but also helps to build a strong bond between you and your dog,” he says. “It lays the groundwork for them to grow into well-mannered, confident, and well-socialised adult dogs who can safely and happily be part of family life.”
Owning a dog, and especially training one from the ground up, is an all-encompassing endeavour – and it should be.
With National Pet Month well underway, we’ve collated common pitfalls to avoid in puppy training, so that you and your dog can forge a meaningful connection that lasts for life.
Mistake no. 1: Not prepping for your dog’s arrival
You can make mistakes before your new dog has even arrived. According to Rachel, the first thing expectant pet owners should do is puppy-proof their home. “Get down on your hands and knees and look at your house from a puppy’s perspective,” she says.
Tidy away or secure dangling wires and anything you’d rather not see tiny tooth marks on. Baby gates are helpful, and a puppy pen is essential. Rachel also recommends checking your fencing thoroughly. “That tiny gap you didn’t even notice? Your pup will find it. Prepare properly and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress – and stuff.”
Mistake no. 2: Going to work as usual
A puppy joining you is not unlike bringing a newborn home from the hospital, so taking time off work or making other arrangements is highly recommended.
“Puppies are hard work from day one. Most won’t settle happily on their own at night to begin with,” says Rachel. “Be prepared to sleep downstairs, wake up multiple times to take them out for toilet trips, and start the day early when they’re up and hungry.” Sound familiar? “A campaign for ‘pupernity’ leave really wouldn’t go amiss!” she adds.
James echoes Rachel’s advice. “I think more owners should feel encouraged to take time off if needed, as puppies require constant attention during this early development stage. If you don’t have the time, it may not be the right time to get a puppy,” he tells us.
Mistake no. 3: Introducing your dog to other people too soon
Many new owners want to introduce their puppy to friends and family, however, Rachel advises against this. “As tempting as it is to introduce your new pup to all your friends and family straight away, don’t. The first few days are all about settling in and getting into a routine,” she says.
She notes that very young dogs need roughly 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day. “If they don’t get enough rest, they become overtired, bitey and generally gremlin-like. So even if people come over, don’t wake your pup up for cuddles. Let them sleep.”
Mistake no. 4: Overexercising
Puppies are little balls of energy – a quality that puts them at risk of injury, James warns. “Activities like chasing a ball or running after a person on a bike for sustained periods of time can put strain on their developing joints when they are very young,” he says.
Particularly at the beginning, when new owners want to do everything right, it might be tempting to want to walk them or play with them all day long – this urge, too, should be resisted.
“Just like toddlers, puppies need a balance of rest and play,” says James. “Adequate downtime is essential for healthy physical and social development. Over-exercising can lead to joint pain and orthopaedic issues, affecting muscles, bones and ligaments.”
He advises to “always pay close attention to your puppy’s behaviour. If they seem tired, make sure they take a break for five to 10 minutes to recover.”
As a guideline for the length of a walk, James recommends about five minutes of walking per month of age. That enthusiasm about walks and playtime? Great, but save some for the rest of your dog’s life.
Mistake no. 5: Jumping to teaching them tricks
Teaching your puppy the staples (e.g. ‘sit’, ‘paw’, ‘heel’) is not itself a mistake, but Rachel warns that an eagerness to do so lets many dog owners forget the most important skill of all: holding it.
According to James, toilet training should start as soon as the puppy arrives at home, and ideally when they’re between 16 to 18 months old. “Introducing a routine is incredibly helpful – puppies need the loo just as often as babies, as they’re not born with full control of their bladders,” he says.
New owners should take their puppy outside after every meal, after playtime, when new visitors arrive, before they are alone, after they’ve woken up and before bed. Signs that your dog needs to follow a call of nature can “mirror human behaviour” and may include fidgeting, circling or attempting to squat, says James.
Mistake no. 6: Shouting at your puppy
Shouting at your dog isn’t going to make things better. “Never shout if they get it wrong,” James stresses. “Shouting or punishing your puppy can leave them startled and confused. In that frightened state, they won’t connect the punishment to the accident.”
But your dog won’t just misunderstand you – it can cause serious damage. “[Shouting or punishing] can lead to serious anxiety in the long run,” James warns. Instead, he recommends using positive reinforcements, encouragement and correcting behaviour with treats. “There’s no such thing as a bad dog. In those early stages, they’re constantly learning. It’s the puppy parent’s job to guide, support and encourage them through every step.”
Mistake no. 7: Accidentally teaching them ‘bad’ behaviours
Young dogs are always in learning mode, even outside of designated ‘training sessions’. A puppy learns through every interaction with their owner and their surroundings.
“A lot of ‘problem’ behaviours in puppies come from us unintentionally teaching them things we don’t want,” says Rachel. These can include jumping up at people: they jump and we pick them up; stealing objects: when they steal a sock and we chase them, they learn that stealing leads to a fun game; and struggling to be left alone: when we talk to them constantly. Training a puppy requires razor-sharp attention and a lot of stamina.
Mistake no. 8: Thinking of socialisation only as playing with other dogs
Playtime with other dogs (once they’re vaccinated!) is a great experience for your puppy, but when animal behaviourists speak of socialisation, they don’t just mean making friends: it’s about equipping your dog with the skills they need to become a part of society.
According to Rachel, it’s crucial to introduce your dog to different sights, sounds, smells, surfaces and experiences.
“Think about fireworks. Your dog needs to experience loud noises in a safe and controlled way between 12 to 16 weeks. If you get your dog in spring or summer, they might not hear fireworks until November – and by then they could be in their second fear period, making it a much scarier experience,” she warns.
You can simulate certain experiences by playing recordings (Rachel recommends SoundCloud) while your dog is eating, playing or relaxing. “You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it makes.”
Owning a dog is a full-time commitment; understanding the demands of puppy training and knowing if you can truly meet them is the first step to responsible pet ownership. For those who may struggle with a puppy, consider adopting an older dog.
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