Top Frustrations of New Puppy Owners

There’s nothing quite like a sweet little puppy. They are soft and furry, cuddly and sleepy. But even with those big eyes and floppy ears, puppies are serious business. While most owners know what they are getting into when they bring a new puppy into the home, even the most prepared humans can forget that puppies are a lot of work. From working with Dog Training Now families over the years, we’ve found that there are some common frustrations with puppy owners. Do any of these describe you?

They don’t sleep!
Puppy owners are often exhausted, with some owners comparing having a puppy to the newborn baby days. It is true, though, that new puppies simply don’t have the capacity to sleep through the night right away. Work right away to set up a consistent schedule, but recognize that you may be having another cup of coffee for that first month or two.

They are peeing everywhere!
Puppy potty training – the struggle is real. While they key is consistency and keeping your pooch close by until they master going potty outside, it can be easy to become frustrated or overwhelmed during the first months. Just when you think your puppy finally had a breakthrough, you find two new puddles on your living room floor.

They bite – and it hurts!
Sharp puppy teeth are no joke, and the little nips that they use to communicate can get out of hand quickly if you don’t address it. Invest in a few high quality chew toys and keep your boundaries consistent; they will get the message sooner than later.

They don’t listen!
Just like small (and big) kids, puppies are just learning all about the world they live in. Learning words and commands isn’t something that they will pick up at a young age. Patience and practice will ease your frustrations over time.

They chew on everything!
Puppies learn so much by putting things into their mouths. Unfortunately, this can mean that they are chewing on anything they can reach. Keep your puppy safe by puppy-proofing your home, keeping dangerous substances out of reach, and keeping a close eye on your puppy until he is old enough to be trusted with some independence.

Puppies are certainly hard work, but it is well worth it when you see that “a-ha” moment of recognizing a command or finally going potty in the yard instead of on your floor. Stick with it new owners, and don’t forget to ask for help with everything from potty training to preschool to obedience from our experienced trainers.