Puppy Training Mistakes

Published on April 19, 2025

Training a puppy is an exciting journey, but mistakes can set back progress and frustrate both you and your pup. When I brought home my first puppy, a bouncy Golden Retriever mix, I made several errors that slowed our progress. Through trial and error, I’ve learned what to avoid, and I want to share these insights to help you train your puppy effectively from the start.

One big mistake is punishing harshly. I once raised my voice when my puppy chewed a shoe, and she cowered, losing trust. Positive reinforcement works better—use treats or praise to reward good behavior like sitting. I switched to small bits of chicken, and she responded eagerly within days. Another error is holding long sessions. My early 20-minute attempts left her distracted; 5-10 minutes is ideal for her young attention span. I now break training into short, fun bursts, which keeps her engaged. Inconsistency is a trap too—I let her jump on guests once, then scolded her later, confusing her. Stick to the same commands and rules every time for clarity.

Skipping socialization is another pitfall. I delayed introducing my pup to other dogs, and she barked at a neighbor’s pet later on. Early exposure to people, pets, and environments helps—take her to parks or friends’ homes by 12-16 weeks. I also overlooked crate training initially, thinking she’d adjust alone. Without it, she had accidents, but a gradual introduction with treats made it her safe space. Ignoring her signals was a mistake too; a wagging tail meant play, but I pushed commands, leading to tantrums. Watch her body language and pause if she’s stressed. For a structured approach, use our Activity Planner to schedule training and play.

Rushing advanced tricks before basics is common. I tried “roll over” before “sit,” and it flopped—master simple commands first. Overfeeding treats can lead to weight gain; I now use her kibble as rewards. Lack of patience frustrated me early on—she didn’t sit on day one, but by week two, she got it. Every puppy learns at their pace, so celebrate small wins. My biggest lesson? Enjoy the process. Those early missteps taught me resilience, and now my pup responds to “sit,” “stay,” and even “come” with a wagging tail. Tailor these tips to your puppy’s breed and personality, and consult a vet or trainer if needed.