So you brought home a puppy. Welcome to the chaos. It’s fun, it’s exhausting, and your life now revolves around potty breaks, chewed-up slippers, and wondering if you’ll ever sleep in again.
If you’re anything like I was, you’re probably googling things like “why does my puppy eat literally everything” and “how to train a dog without losing your mind.” Same.
The truth? Training your puppy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. But there are a few super common mistakes almost every new dog owner makes—and if you can avoid them early, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress (and probably your favorite shoes too).
Let’s walk through the five big ones.
1. Not Being Consistent (Even When You Don’t Realize It)
This one sneaks up on people. One minute, you’re letting your pup jump on the couch because it’s cute—and the next, you’re frustrated that they won’t stay off when guests come over.
Puppies don’t know the difference. They’re just picking up patterns.
If one person says “down,” another says “off,” and someone else is feeding scraps at the table… your dog’s getting mixed signals, and you’re all going to be annoyed.
Try this: Make a simple list of house rules and basic commands. Nothing fancy—just stuff like “no couch,” “crate at night,” or “we say leave it, not no.” Stick it on the fridge or share it with roommates. You’ll be shocked how much easier training gets when everyone’s on the same page.
2. Waiting Too Long to Start Training
This is a big one. So many people think, “I’ll start training once they’re older—they’re just a baby right now.” But the truth is, puppies are learning every single day, whether you’re actively training them or not.
Waiting too long just means bad habits have more time to settle in.
You don’t need to do a full bootcamp. Just start with tiny, 5-minute sessions. Teach them their name, “sit,” or “touch.” Reward calm behavior. Make it a fun part of your day, not a big chore.
Bonus: Early training = a more confident, well-adjusted adult dog.
3. Using Harsh Corrections (AKA Yelling or Punishing)
Here’s the deal: yelling doesn’t teach your puppy what to do—it just teaches them to be scared of you or confused about what’s wrong. That’s not what you want, right?
Old-school methods (like leash popping, yelling “NO!” constantly, or using shock collars) might stop the behavior in the moment, but they don’t build trust—and they can cause anxiety or worse long-term problems.
Instead, focus on this:
Reward the good stuff. Ignore or gently redirect the rest.
Saw your pup calmly sitting instead of jumping? Treat. They peed outside? Praise like they just won an Oscar.
Messed up? Stay calm. Interrupt, redirect, and move on.
Training should build your relationship, not scare them into obedience.
4. Skipping Socialization (or Thinking It Just Means Dog Parks)
When people hear “socialize your puppy,” they often think it means letting them meet a bunch of other dogs. But true socialization is so much bigger than that.
It’s about gently exposing your puppy to all the sights, sounds, people, and situations they’ll run into as adults—before they hit the age when they start getting wary of new stuff (usually around 14-16 weeks).
So that means:
1. Strollers, bikes, loud trucks, people in hats
2. Different surfaces like grass, tile, metal
3. Calm, friendly dogs of different sizes
4. Being handled (touching paws, ears, tail)
Make a “puppy adventure” list and knock out a few new things each week. Take treats. Keep it positive. And no—you don’t need to go to a dog park. In fact, I’d skip it at first.
5. Expecting Too Much, Too Fast
This one’s easy to fall into. You’ve been working on “come” for two days and they still ignore you. Or they had three accident-free days and suddenly pee on your rug. And you think, What am I doing wrong?
Answer: Nothing. They’re just… being a puppy.
Training takes time. Progress isn’t always linear. Some days will feel like wins, others like setbacks. The key is to stay patient and trust the process.
Try this instead of getting discouraged:
- Track small wins (first time they sat without a treat? Mark it!)
- Celebrate progress, not perfection
- Zoom out—where were you a week ago? Two weeks?
Puppies aren’t robots. They’re baby animals learning a brand-new language. And you’re doing great.
Quick Recap (Because You Probably Have to Go Take Them Out Again)
Here are the 5 big mistakes to watch for:
- Being inconsistent with training
- Waiting too long to start
- Using harsh punishments instead of positive reinforcement
- Skipping (or misunderstanding) socialization
- Expecting them to “get it” too quickly
Avoiding these? You’re setting yourself and your dog up for a way easier time
Want Some Help Getting Started?
I put together a free Puppy Training Starter Checklist that covers the basics:
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present, consistent, and kind.
The fact that you’re here, reading this, means you care—and that matters so much more than getting it right 100% of the time. Puppies are messy, training takes time, and no one gets it all right on the first try (or the second, or the tenth).
You’ve got this—and your pup is lucky to have you.