Woof! Welcome to the world of being a new puppy mum or dad! It's an exciting, tail-wagging journey filled with love, joy and, of course, a bit of mischief.
As you embark on this pawsome adventure, it's important to remember that the puppy stage can be challenging, though it doesn't last forever, and you are not alone.
With persistence, consistency and a lot of patience, you'll survive and hopefully thrive through the puppy phase to nurture your pup to be the best doggo they can be and live their best pupper life.
Embracing the Challenges of Puppy Antics
The naughty puppy stage is an unavoidable part of raising a young pup. It's a time when they're exploring the world around them, learning about their new environment and testing boundaries. While their antics can be adorable, they can be frustrating and exhausting.
Puppies are known for their chewing, nipping, and general mischief, though it's important to remember that this behaviour is normal and part of their development.
During this stage, you'll need to step up as a new puppy parent and guide them on the path to becoming a well-mannered adult dog. It won't be easy, and from personal experience, at times, you may feel like giving up. Though always keep front of mind that it is normal, it won't last forever, and you're not alone.
The goal is not only to survive through the mischievous puppy phase but to be the ultimate puppy parent with a well-behaved, happy, healthy dog. Here are 10 tips for surviving the naughty puppy phase:
Tip 1: Puppy-proof Your Home
Creating a pup-friendly haven and puppy-proofing your home is a must! Curious pups are like little fur-covered detectives, sniffing out and nibbling on anything they find intriguing. To keep your furry explorer safe and your possessions intact, it's time to think like a puppy. Here are two key action points to kickstart your puppy-proofing:
- Start by tucking away or securing tantalising chew targets like electrical cords, shoes, and small objects. You'll protect your pup's teeth and your favourite belongings – it's a win-win! To set boundaries and prevent off-limit excursions, put up baby gates and create a canine-safe zone.
- Don't fur-get, puppies have a nose for adventure, and that includes sniffing out cleaning products and medications. Store these items out of reach so your curious pup doesn't get into anything hazardous.
By taking these steps, you'll create a fun and safe home for your four-legged friend, turning it into a pawfect playground for endless tail-wagging adventures!
A Personal Journey: 'Puppy-proofing' is Falable
While we call it 'puppy-proofing', removing all potential puppy targets is impossible. Some seemingly harmless items can become a problem when your pup invents new uses.
Our Goldie, Ollie, would pick up everything and anything. As a pup, he had a few occurrences of eating things he shouldn't. His No. 2s were often an 'OMG, what is that' inspection. Thankfully, in the home, he has grown out of it. Even at age 6, we still have to be vigilant of his Hungry Hungry Hippo snappers while on a walk. His favourite is poo. He doesn't discriminant between species. Any poo will do.
A scary puppy incident was when we came home to a third of the blanket being chewed out. It looked like he chewed it to pieces and left most of it on the floor, though we could not be sure. So off to the vet, they induced vomiting, bringing up some blue blanket he had eaten and scans done to check for obstructions.
So no matter how much effort you put into preparing your home, expect some mishaps to occur and be prepared for how to handle them. When you see your pup getting into something they shouldn't, try and redirect their attention to something else.
- Jodie -
Tip 2: Consistent Training
Get ready to unleash some tail-wagging fun on your puppy training adventure! With their adorably brief attention spans, keeping each training session short and sweet is important – just 5 minutes will do the trick. Strive for a daily total of 15 minutes of paw-sitively engaging lessons. Here are four key action points to guide your puppy training:
- Establish a regular training routine that includes basic commands like 'sit', 'stay', 'come' and 'leave it'.
- Be consistent and practice daily, ensuring all family members use the same cues and techniques.
- Always end each session on a high note, ensuring your furry friend remains keen and thrilled for the next round of learning escapades!
- Enrol in a puppy class, it will launch your training on the right path and provide a safe environment to kickstart your pup's socialisation journey
A Personal Journey: Training vs Real Life
Short, fun and consistent training. Sounds simple, right? Not so much! There will be small steps, with some bounds forward, and then tumbles backwards. I can recall Ollie, our Golden Retriever. He would be perfect in training, though, when it came to practical implementation, with all the distractions, his training went out the window and off to Antarctica.
Be patient, consistent and acknowledge that your pup will make mistakes and test your limits. As training progresses, try introducing a little more distracting stimulus to get your puppy familiar with focusing through all the sites, sounds and smells.
- Jodie -
Tip 3: Tackling the Puppy Shark-Biting Phase
As a new puppy parent, you may face a challenging phase commonly known as the "shark-biting" phase. Puppies often use their mouths to explore the world and playfully bite or nip. Nevertheless, it's crucial to teach them bite inhibition at an early stage. Here are three action points to guide you through the puppy shark stage:
- Redirect their biting: When your puppy starts nipping, redirect them to a chew toy or a treat-dispensing toy. This teaches them what's appropriate to bite and chew.
- Use positive reinforcement: Praise and reward your puppy when they're playing gently or chewing on their toys. This encourages good behaviour.
- Use a time-out: If your puppy gets too excited and starts biting harder, calmly remove yourself from the situation for a short period. This teaches them that biting leads to a pause in playtime.
A Personal Journey: Redirection vs Growing-up
Although it sounds simple in theory, the reality is quite different! A long time ago, when I was a teenager, and the dinosaurs roamed the earth, my family had a German Shepherd puppy named Rambo. He was a beautiful shepherd who would lie calmly on the lounge with you.
Then all of a sudden, he would roll his eyes and, without warning, launch a puppy-shark attack at you. Mine and my mum's arms were covered in puppy bites. As Rambo was getting bigger, the frequency did slow, though, with his increased bite strength, it became more and more concerning.
I'm not sure that our efforts, like redirecting, worked, but thankfully, Rambo grew out of the shark-biting phase, and our arms recovered.
- Jodie -
Tip 4: Dissuading Persistent Attention-Seeking
Puppies often seek attention from their hooman family members and can use various tactics to achieve it. Some common undesirable methods used by puppies include barking, whining, jumping, nipping, or even engaging in destructive behaviour like chewing furniture or shoes.
While bonding and interacting with your pup is essential, setting boundaries and teaching them appropriate ways to seek attention is necessary. Here are three key action points to help you teach your pup manners and there is a time for play, hugs and snuggles:
- Establish a routine: Consistent routines for feeding, playtime, and potty breaks can help your puppy understand when it's time for attention and when it's time for independence.
- Teach the "settle" command: Train your puppy to settle down on their bed or a designated spot. Reward them for being calm and quiet, reinforcing the behaviour.
- Puppy time-out: If your pup's attention-seeking becomes too persistent, gently guide them to a separate space, like a playpen or crate, for a brief, supervised time-out. Alternatively, remove yourself from the room to give your pup time-out.
A Personal Journey: Consistency Wins
I can remember Ollie was as persistent as they come. Once he got into one of his attention-seeking temper tantrums, breaking him out was incredibly difficult.
He would get rather vocal and bitey. Trying to get him to 'settle' or to try and guide him away with our hands was 'attention', so giving him what he wanted. We tried to turn our back and ignore him until he settled. That worked for a short time.
Until he decided when we turn our back, he started to nip and latch on to the back of our pants at the ankle. Trying not to react, as that is reinforcing 'attention' we would slowly shuffle and slide over to the door and wiggle free, then dart into the other room and close the door.
We would not be gone long, but enough for him to 'settle' and then re-enter the room and repeat if he started back up.
Sometimes Ollie got the message, and other times it was beyond his little puppy brain's capability. We maintained our consistency, and eventually, incidences reduced and then stopped.
- Jodie -
Tip 5: Addressing Other Common Puppy Mischief
Puppies can exhibit a variety of hard-to-handle behaviours. While some of these antics might seem cute and funny when they're small, it's important to consider whether you'd want your grown dog to continue these habits.
Resist the urge to smile or laugh when your puppy engages in undesirable behaviours, as this can inadvertently reinforce them. Instead, focus on teaching your pup appropriate behaviours from the start, setting them up for a lifetime of good manners and a strong bond with you. Here are four common undesirable behaviours and tips:
- Jumping up: When your puppy jumps on you, turn your back and ignore them. As soon as they have all four paws on the ground, reward them with praise or a treat.
- Digging: Provide a designated digging area, like a sandbox, for your pup to unleash their instincts. Redirect them to this area when they start digging elsewhere.
- Excessive barking: Identify the triggers causing your puppy to bark, and work on desensitising them. Use positive reinforcement when they're quiet, and teach the "quiet" command.
- Scavenging food scraps: Discourage your puppy from eating food scraps off hooman plates, as it can lead to undesirable behaviours and potential health issues. Establish clear boundaries by feeding your pup in their designated area and keeping them away from the dining table during mealtime or lying quietly nearby. Encourage family members to avoid feeding the puppy from their plates and to dispose of leftovers properly.
Patience and consistency are key when dealing with puppy behaviours. Your pup will grow into a well-behaved and happy adult dog with time and proper training.
A Personal Journey: Puppy Parents Are as Strong as the Weakest Link
We have all been a victim of the 'puppy dog eyes' that look so sorrowful, like your pup is starving and wilting away to nothing. Don't fall for it! You know you take care of your puppy, and they are adequately fed and not starving. So resist and don't give in.
Speaking from experience, remember that consistency is key, and you are only as strong as the weakest link. If a family member or guest gives in and feeds your dog from their plate, they may not place puppy dog eyes on you, but they will continue to do so every time they see the weak link.
This is the scenario we are in with Ollie. John and I have always stood strong and never given Ollie any of our food. We have had visitors ignore our request not to feed him anything from their plate, and now they get laser puppy dog eyes every time, even though they only gave in one time.
Be strong and ensure everyone else in the house does not give in.
- Jodie -
Tip 6: Regular Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Providing your puppy with physical exercise and mental stimulation is essential for their overall well-being and happiness. A well-exercised and mentally engaged pup is more likely to be calm, focused, and well-behaved. Here are three key action points to ensure your puppy receives adequate exercise and mental stimulation:
- Create a balanced exercise routine: Schedule daily walks, playtime, and games like fetch to keep your pup physically active. Adjust the intensity and duration of these activities according to your puppy's age, breed, and energy level. Consult your vet for specific exercise recommendations.
- Engage their mind with interactive games and toys: Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Use puzzle toys, hide treats for your pup to find, or teach them new tricks to keep their mind engaged. Rotate the toys and games to maintain their interest and challenge their cognitive skills.
- Combine physical and mental activities: Incorporate activities that combine both exercise and mental stimulation, such as agility training or scent-tracking games. These activities not only challenge your pup physically but also require them to think, problem-solve, and focus.
A well-rounded approach to exercise and mental stimulation promotes a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy. By incorporating various activities that cater to their physical and cognitive needs, you'll strengthen the bond with your pup and set them up for a lifetime of good habits and overall well-being.
A Personal Journey: Routine Matters!
Ollie is alert and waits with anticipation each day for his morning walk, afternoon walk, dinner time, floor playtime, snuggle time, and bedtime.
A mental stimulation game we play is hide and seek. Typically, John will keep Ollie occupied while I go and hide somewhere in the house. John will give Ollie a verbal queue to find me, and off he goes on his hooman dog mum hunt. We go a few rounds, and then Ollie crashes for a pup nap.
- Jodie -
Tip 7: Socialisation
Socialisation is critical to your puppy's development, involving much more than just interacting with other dogs and humans. Proper socialisation teaches your pup how to behave appropriately in various situations, understand boundaries, and respect when it's not okay to approach other dogs or people without permission. Here are three key action points to guide you through the socialisation process:
- Start with controlled interactions: Begin by introducing your puppy to calm, friendly dogs and people in controlled environments. Gradually increase the complexity of the interactions while always monitoring your puppy's comfort level and responding accordingly.
- Teach your pup to ask for permission: Encourage your puppy to exhibit polite behaviour before greeting other dogs or people. For example, train them to sit and wait for your signal before approaching someone new. This teaches them boundaries and ensures their safety and the comfort of others.
- Expose your pup to various experiences: Introduce your puppy to different sights, sounds, and environments, such as busy streets, parks, and pet-friendly cafes. This exposure helps them become well-adjusted and less likely to develop fear or anxiety in new situations.
Remember that your pup should be fully vaccinated before introducing dogs from outside your home and that socialisation is an ongoing process that extends beyond meeting new dogs and humans.
By teaching your puppy to understand boundaries and exposing them to diverse experiences, you'll raise a confident and well-behaved adult dog that can easily adapt to various situations.
A Personal Journey: Restrained Socialisation Fail
Ollie loves everyone! As a Golden Retriever, social interactions with other dogs and people were easy. Trying to teach Ollie boundaries is still a work in progress.
Kids love Ollie, so we taught him to drop and lie down from a young pup to let kids approach him. However, that restraint is gone with adults and other dogs as he loses his puppy brain with excitement.
From the start with your puppy, train, praise and reinforce the behaviour you want your pup to have as an adult dog with each type of interaction.
- Jodie -
Tip 8: Use Positive Reinforcement
Using positive reinforcement is an effective and enjoyable way to teach your little one appropriate behaviours. This powerful training method focuses on rewarding desired actions rather than punishing undesirable ones, fostering a strong bond between you and your puppy while making the journey through the naughty stage more enjoyable. Here are three key action points to incorporate positive reinforcement into your puppy training:
- Identify rewarding incentives: Determine what motivates your puppy the most, such as treats, toys, or praise. Use these incentives to reward your pup for displaying desired behaviours, ensuring the rewards are given immediately following the correct action to reinforce the association.
- Apply the 'mark and reward' technique: Use a marker, such as a clicker or a specific word, to signal when your puppy has performed the desired behaviour correctly. Follow the marker with a reward, which helps your pup understand the connection between the action and the positive outcome.
- Maintain consistency and timing: Be consistent with your rewards and cues for various commands. Consistency helps your puppy understand what is expected of them and makes drawing connections and learning new behaviours easier. It's important to provide rewards promptly to avoid confusion caused by delayed reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is an effective and humane approach to help you and your puppy sail through the naughty stage. By identifying suitable rewards, using markers, and maintaining consistency, you'll set your puppy up for a lifetime of success and a harmonious relationship with you.
A Personal Journey: Teaching Bathroom Time
With both our Golden Retrievers, Zac and Ollie we identified early on that they respond well to praise and attention as a reward.
From day 1 when they arrived home John and I would say 'hurry up' when they did their business outside and provide praise afterwards. They soon learned the difference between being outside for enjoyment and play and being outside for bathroom purposes.
Using the words 'hurry up' prompts them to do their business and come back inside. It worked a dream with Zac. It also works with Ollie, though he is much more easily distracted before getting on with business.
- Jodie -
Tip 9: Remember You're Not Alone
Embarking on the journey of raising a puppy can be both exciting and challenging, but it's important to remember that you're not alone in this adventure. Connecting with fellow puppy parents and seeking support from various sources can make a world of difference in your experience. Here are three key avenues to find reassurance and assistance as a new puppy parent:
- Puppy classes and dog-friendly parks: Signing up for puppy classes or frequenting parks provides socialisation opportunities for your pup and allows you to connect with other puppy parents. Sharing experiences, tips, and advice can help you feel supported and understood during the naughty puppy stage.
- Online puppy parent groups: Joining online communities, such as Facebook groups or forums dedicated to puppy parenting, can offer a wealth of information and support. These groups allow you to ask questions, learn from other's experiences, and discover that many puppy parents face similar challenges.
- Your trusted vet: Your veterinarian is an invaluable resource for guidance and support throughout your puppy's life. They can provide expert advice on health, behaviour, and training and recommend additional resources or professionals if needed.
Navigating the naughty puppy stage can be made more manageable and enjoyable by tapping into the support of fellow puppy parents and professionals. By engaging with others who share your journey, you'll gain insights, tips, and the reassurance that you're not alone raising your happy, well-behaved pup.
Tip 10: Paws and Reflect: Puppyhood Won't Last Forever
As you navigate the whirlwind of puppyhood, it's essential to take a step back and appreciate the fleeting moments of joy, laughter, and even the occasional chaos. Amidst the challenges, cherish your pup's unique antics and create memories that will last a lifetime. One incredible way to capture these special moments is by investing in a personalised keepsake like our Puppy Angel vs. Demon Photo Personalised Leatherette Journal.
This beautifully crafted leatherette journal features an elegant cover engraved with a puppy angel vs demon design. It offers a stunning and functional space to record all the delightful shenanigans, milestones, and memorable moments from your puppy's early days. With every turn of the page, you'll be able to look back fondly on the heartwarming memories and even chuckle at your puppy's mischievous exploits.
So, as you embrace the journey of raising your little furball, don't forget to stop, savour the present, and preserve those precious memories with our exquisite personalised journal. It's a timeless treasure that will allow you to relive the magic of the puppy stage for years to come.
Embracing the Puppy Parent Journey
As we wrap up this journey, it's important to remember that surviving the puppy stage is a unique experience for each new puppy parent.
By understanding the challenges of the naughty puppy stage and implementing the tips shared in this article – such as socialisation, exercise, mental stimulation, redirection, positive reinforcement, and seeking support – you can make it through this phase with flying colours.
Keep in mind that every puppy is different, and what works for one may not work for another. At times, it might feel like nothing works but know that this stage will eventually pass.
Stay patient, consistent, and don't forget to savour the fleeting moments of puppyhood. By following these tips and adapting them to your pup's individual needs, you'll be well on your way to raising a happy, well-behaved dog that will bring joy to your life for years to come.