Puppy Training Mistakes You’ll Regret Later 

Avoid Common Pitfalls, for a Well-Behaved Dog

Enjoying our puppies is something we all want to do, but do we ever go too far with that love? The top 12 puppy training mistakes that most people make and later regret are listed below:

Rushing inside after the puppy does their business 

If your pet enjoys going on outside activities, they’ll quickly learn that the fun stops when they’ve had a chance to relieve themselves. As a result, you may notice that your dog postpones going outside to relieve himself until it is vital. This conduct might be problematic, particularly when you need them to go quickly. A better strategy is to let your dog out on a leash and wait outside for them to relieve themselves. After they’ve completed it, give them praise and treats, and then take them for a stroll or some yard play. Thanks to this strategy, they can correlate outdoor time with punctual potty breaks.

Getting way too excited when someone is at the door

It can be fun to share the excitement of friends or pizza arriving at the house, but getting your dog excited and running to the door or asking excitedly, “Who’s at the door?” can result in unwanted behaviors like running to the door, jumping on guests, or even running away from home. This can put their safety in danger. It’s advisable to start with a low-key greeting and educate your puppy on the appropriate ways to greet guests. Before guests arrive, consider leash-training and rewarding them with treats for remaining by your side. Instead, you may teach them to go to a specific location when the doorbell rings and then reward them with a delicious treat for staying there until the excitement passes.

Letting your puppy jump up on people

It’s normal to get excited when you see an adorable puppy, and the dog will return the favor. Puppies frequently use jumping to show affection because of their small size. It’s also essential to remember that if jumping is accepted now, they’ll carry on the habit even as they get bigger and might even endanger others with excitement. Teach your dog to stay on the ground with all four paws to address this. This can be accomplished by teaching them to sit quietly before receiving attention, petting, or using rewards strewn around the floor to divert their attention when meeting new people.

Feed them from the table

It’s difficult to ignore those longing eyes as they gaze up at you as you eat. However, rewarding your dog with food from the table creates a standard they will eventually learn to expect. Their pleading can soon become audible barks and whines until they get what they want. To prevent this, set mealtimes just for people and provide your dog with an alternate activity to keep them busy and happy. You can teach your puppy to stay on their bed or put them in their box or crate for peace of mind. Combining this with a chew that lasts a long time, like a stuffed Kong or a toy bully stick, will result in a winning tactic that will work for years.

Forgetting your pup is always learning

Puppyhood shouldn’t be the only time for training. Later on, concerns may surface, such as discomfort with grooming, veterinary procedures, possessiveness of food and objects, or fear of novelty. As a result, it’s critical to keep introducing socialization activities. Each operation should be broken down into smaller, more manageable parts and linked to a beneficial outcome for your puppy. For example, when giving your dog a nail trim, gently hold its paw and give them a tasty treat as a reward. Teach your puppy that it’s great when you approach them when they have food, toys, or chew objects to help with possessiveness issues. Gently approach them and offer them a delicious treat as a kind gesture. This method fosters your puppy’s confidence and comfort in various scenarios throughout their life by helping them connect previously complex events with favorable results. When your puppy has a chew toy or food, walk up and drop a tasty treat.

Keeping your puppy to yourself

Exposing your puppy to various new experiences, like visiting new locations, meeting new people, and playing with other dogs and pets, is essential. Failing to do so can lead to a lack of confidence, which can cause anxiety, hostility, and dread in a variety of settings. During the crucial stage between the ages of 3 and 14 weeks, socialization is vital. To avoid infection, ensure your puppy has received all the necessary vaccinations before socializing with other dogs. A puppy training class from a reliable provider can lay a strong foundation for socializing. For more opportunities to socialize with other dogs, consider taking your puppy to non-dog establishments like The Home Depot or Gap that allow dogs to socialize. Treats should always be available, and you should never coerce your puppy into doing something that would make them fear you. You may assist your puppy in becoming self-assured and environment-adaptive with time and encouragement.

Letting your puppy free-roam

Your house may seem to your puppy like a playground with lots of exciting things to do, like rip apart sofa pillows, use shoes as a potty, or unravel toilet paper. But you have to take responsibility because pups don’t know what constitutes appropriate behavior. To avoid such situations, your living area needs to be puppy-proofed. Give your puppy a room that has been puppy-proofed so they can explore while you watch. Use a crate to confine them when you can’t keep an eye on them, or use a gate or exercise pen to close off a small space. Ensure the puppy room is equipped with appropriate things for the breed, such as interactive balls that release rewards, a comfortable bed, an old shirt that smells like you, and chew toys. This arrangement also deters disruptive behavior in other parts of your house by keeping your puppy occupied and protected.

Letting your puppy give you love nips

Puppies use their teeth to explore, much like babies do with their hands. They mouth all the time; it’s natural, especially when they’re delighted. Playful nips can be innocent initially, but as your puppy grows older and becomes an adult, they can cause issues. Here’s a helpful tactic: anytime your puppy starts biting, direct their aggression toward their toys. Praise them for chewing and pulling on appropriate objects, and continue the play to reward this good behavior. Recall that this training period is brief, so use it while it lasts.

Allowing your puppy to pull during leash training

Because dogs work with what pleases them, they will probably carry on this habit until adulthood—even as larger dogs if you allow them to pull as puppies. This might wear out your shoulders and back and make walks less enjoyable. Be proactive and teach your puppy that enjoying a stroll while wearing a loose leash will result in goodies, praise, and more walks. But if you feel someone tugging, immediately stop walking. If you consistently train, your puppy will learn to walk nicely rather than run alongside you.

Your puppy doesn’t understand your cue

When teaching your puppy obedience commands, consistency is essential. They may become confused if you use distinct cue phrases for various behaviors. For example, you could use “down” when your puppy leaps up on you and “lay down” for lying down. Ensure everyone in the household knows the comprehensive list of all the habits you teach your puppy. Keep the list out of the way—possibly on the refrigerator for convenient access. Use cue words with different sounds to reduce your puppy’s confusion. Occasionally, even the best-trained pets may display odd habits.

When you don’t set boundaries

Your puppy might wander around unrestrained with ease. Without waiting for your cue, a puppy who bolts out the door or bounces onto the couch isn’t looking for your advice and may even put themselves in danger due to their excitement. Take advantage of everyday occurrences, like your puppy’s desires, to teach impulse control and encourage manners. In the door situation, teach your dog to “sit” until he or she can go outside. You encourage communication with your puppy and model good behavior by occasionally training them to behave themselves.

Giving up on nail clipping

For a young puppy, nail cutting can be frightening, but just because your puppy has cried, growled, or refused to cooperate during attempts at home doesn’t mean you have to have your veterinarian do this common task. To establish a good relationship when your puppy is still small, begin by gently stroking their paws and rewarding them with treats.

When handling your puppy’s paw, if they are having trouble, be patient and wait for them to calm down before releasing it. An electric toothbrush can also help them get used to the feeling of having their nails clipped. After letting your dog explore the toothbrush, switch it on close to their paw and give them some treats. Continue rewarding them, and gradually work your way up to holding the toothbrush against the paw. One part of owning a dog is the cost of grooming, but you may successfully handle this part of home care with persistence and encouragement.

If you have any questions, personal experiences or tips to share, I’d love your feedback. Please make comments below. Thanks for joining me on this journey regarding puppy training mistakes!

-Janice-