Surviving the puppy months
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting—and let’s be honest—a little overwhelming. The puppy months are filled with love, laughter, and plenty of frustrating moments (usually involving sharp teeth and chewed furniture).
If you’re wondering, “Is this normal?” or “Will it ever get easier?”—the answer is yes. These early stages are temporary, but how you respond now can shape your dog’s future behavior and your relationship for years to come.
Here’s how to survive the puppy phase with your sanity (mostly) intact, and lay the foundation for a confident, well-mannered adult dog.
Adjust Your Expectations
Puppies aren’t born knowing the rules. They don’t come pre-installed with “sit,” “don’t bite,” or “go potty outside.” They explore the world with their mouths, have short attention spans, and need repetition, patience, and positive guidance.
It’s normal to feel exhausted or even frustrated. Remind yourself: this is a baby dog learning how to live in a human world.
Prioritize Potty Training
Accidents happen—but consistency is key. Set your puppy up for success by:
Taking them out frequently (every 1–2 hours, and after eating, playing, or waking up)
Praising and rewarding immediately after they go
Supervising indoors or using a crate/pen to prevent sneaky accidents
Avoiding punishment—it doesn’t teach what you want, only that you’re scary
Stick to a routine and track potty times if needed. It takes time, but they’ll get it!
Redirect Biting and Chewing
Puppy biting is a normal part of development, especially during teething. While you can’t stop the urge to chew, you can teach your puppy what’s appropriate:
Offer plenty of chew toys (rotate them to keep things interesting)
Use frozen Kongs or wet washcloths for teething relief
If biting people: calmly remove attention or redirect to a toy
Avoid rough play that encourages biting your hands or clothes
Build the Basics
Now is the perfect time to start positive training. Puppies learn quickly, and early training helps prevent future behavior problems. Focus on:
Name recognition and check-ins
Sit, down, and polite greetings
Crate training and settling on a mat
Loose leash walking (start in low-distraction areas)
Short, fun training sessions build communication and confidence—and tire them out mentally!
Emphasize Rest and Routine
Puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep per day. Without enough rest, they get cranky, bitey, and overly energetic—just like a toddler.
Create a predictable routine with:
Scheduled potty breaks
Naps in a quiet, safe space
Playtime and training in short bursts
Wind-down time before bed
Overstimulated puppies don’t just “run it off”—they need help learning how to settle.
Socialize Smartly
The critical socialization window is short—roughly 3 to 16 weeks—but it’s powerful. Gently expose your puppy to:
New people and environments
Different surfaces, sounds, and objects
Other friendly, vaccinated dogs
Handling (ears, paws, grooming tools)
Keep experiences positive and at your puppy’s pace. Quality over quantity matters most.
Know That Regression Is Normal
Even well-trained puppies may seem to “forget” their training as they hit adolescence (around 5–7 months). Don’t panic—regression is part of growth. Stick to the routines, reinforce good behavior, and continue training with consistency and patience.
