When raising a puppy, it’s crucial to create an environment where they feel safe, secure, and supported. Certain behaviors from humans or other animals can be overwhelming, confusing, or even harmful to a puppy’s development. Avoiding these behaviors will help your puppy grow into a well-adjusted, confident, and happy adult dog.

Here’s a list of behaviors to avoid around a puppy…

Yelling or Using Harsh Punishment

• Why to Avoid – Puppies are highly sensitive to loud noises and harsh reactions. Yelling or using physical punishment can cause fear, anxiety, and confusion. It also undermines trust and creates negative associations with you and the environment.
• Better Approach – Use positive reinforcement methods, such as praise, treats, and gentle corrections, to guide their behavior. Focus on rewarding good behaviors rather than punishing mistakes.

Rough Handling or Over-Excitement

• Why to Avoid – Puppies are still learning about boundaries, and rough handling can hurt them or make them anxious. Overly excited play can overwhelm a puppy and cause stress.
• Better Approach – Be gentle and calm when interacting with your puppy. Use appropriate play that matches their developmental stage and energy level, and respect their need for quiet time and rest.

Inconsistent Training or No Training

• Why to Avoid – Inconsistency can confuse a puppy. If rules change constantly or if they aren’t given clear guidelines, they may become unsure of what is expected, which can lead to undesirable behaviors.
• Better Approach – Establish a consistent routine and stick to the same commands for training. Puppies thrive on structure, so make sure everyone in the household is on the same page regarding expectations and rules.

Excessive Physical or Social Isolation

• Why to Avoid – While it’s important not to overwhelm a puppy, social isolation can lead to fear, anxiety, and attachment issues. Puppies need to be exposed to different people, places, and situations to develop confidence.
• Better Approach – Gradually expose your puppy to various environments, sounds, and social situations (such as meeting new people and other dogs) to help them build social skills and reduce the risk of fearful behavior later on.

Neglecting Their Potty Needs

• Why to Avoid – Ignoring a puppy’s need to go outside or making them wait too long to relieve themselves can cause frustration, accidents, and hinder the potty training process.
• Better Approach – Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after eating, drinking, and waking up from naps. Stick to a consistent potty routine to help them learn where it’s appropriate to go.

Too Much Free Roaming or Unsupervised Time

• Why to Avoid – Puppies are naturally curious and may get into dangerous situations when left unsupervised. They can chew on things they shouldn’t, or they might accidentally injure themselves.
• Better Approach – Use a crate or puppy pen to safely contain them when you cannot supervise. When they are out, supervise them closely to prevent accidents and teach them what’s safe to explore.

Forcing Them into Uncomfortable Situations

• Why to Avoid – Forcing a puppy to confront things they’re fearful of (like loud noises, unfamiliar people, or new environments) can create lasting negative associations and worsen fear or anxiety.
• Better Approach – Gradually expose your puppy to new experiences in a calm and positive way, ensuring they have time to adjust and feel safe. Use treats and praise to reward brave behavior, and go at their pace.

Playing Aggressively or Encouraging Aggressive Play

• Why to Avoid – Rough play that involves biting, chasing, or teasing can encourage puppies to develop bad habits, like biting, nipping, or acting out aggressively. It can also lead to accidental injuries.
• Better Approach – Engage in gentle play, using appropriate toys, and teach your puppy bite inhibition (the ability to control the force of their bite). If they bite too hard, stop the play and redirect their attention to a toy.

Overfeeding or Giving Inappropriate Food

• Why to Avoid – Overfeeding or giving a puppy human food (especially toxic foods like chocolate, grapes, onions, etc.) can lead to obesity, nutritional imbalances, or health issues.
• Better Approach – Feed your puppy a balanced, age-appropriate diet according to your vet’s recommendations. Stick to puppy food designed for their age, size, and breed, and avoid feeding them from your plate.

Ignoring Their Socialization Needs

• Why to Avoid – Puppies need proper socialization, particularly during the first 16 weeks, when they are most impressionable. Without exposure to different people, dogs, and environments, they may become fearful or aggressive as adults.
• Better Approach – Expose your puppy to a variety of people, other dogs, and new environments, ensuring the experiences are positive. Puppy classes or playdates with other vaccinated dogs can be helpful.

Scaring Them with Sudden Movements or Loud Noises

• Why to Avoid – Sudden movements, such as quickly reaching for a puppy or making loud noises, can startle them and cause fear, anxiety, and mistrust.
• Better Approach – Move slowly and calmly around your puppy, especially when they are still learning about their surroundings. Speak softly and avoid making abrupt gestures that could scare them.

Rushing Training or Expectations

• Why to Avoid – Expecting too much too soon can lead to frustration for both you and the puppy. Puppies need time to develop the skills they need, including potty training, obedience commands, and house manners.
• Better Approach – Be patient and realistic with your expectations. Focus on teaching one command or skill at a time, and celebrate small victories. Training should be fun, rewarding, and done in short, positive sessions.

Allowing Puppies to Constantly Jump or Be Picked Up

• Why to Avoid – While it’s tempting to pick up your puppy all the time, it can cause confusion or even physical strain on their developing joints. Allowing constant jumping can encourage undesirable behavior.
• Better Approach – Teach your puppy appropriate manners, like sitting calmly before being picked up. Use positive reinforcement to encourage gentle behavior and discourage jumping or rough handling.

Not Providing Enough Mental and Physical Stimulation

• Why to Avoid – A bored or under-stimulated puppy may develop destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture or excessive barking. Puppies have a lot of energy and need proper outlets.
• Better Approach – Provide a variety of toys (chew toys, interactive toys, etc.) and engage in daily activities like walks, playtime, and basic training. Mental stimulation through puzzle toys or obedience training is also essential.

Allowing Unsupervised Interaction with Other Dogs (Especially Unvaccinated)

• Why to Avoid – Puppies are vulnerable to diseases like parvo and distemper before they’ve had their full series of vaccinations. Interacting with unvaccinated or unfamiliar dogs can put them at risk.
• Better Approach – Only allow your puppy to interact with other dogs who are up-to-date on vaccinations. Until your puppy has received all their shots (usually by 16 weeks), avoid places like dog parks or areas where unknown dogs frequent.

In Summary

To raise a healthy, confident, and well-behaved puppy, it’s crucial to avoid behaviors that can cause fear, confusion, or harm. Treat your puppy with patience, gentleness, and consistency. Focus on positive reinforcement, socialization, proper training, and providing a safe, supportive environment. By being mindful of how you interact with your puppy, you’ll help them grow into a well-adjusted adult dog.