There’s nothing like bringing home a new puppy. Those tiny paws, that wagging tail, and those adorable puppy eyes can melt anyone’s heart. Still, sooner or later, new dog owners will face puppy accidents, overwhelming situations, and may wonder if we “made a mistake.”
I Want The Calm Puppy
Bringing Home a New Puppy: Give Me The “Calm” One
Bringing home a new puppy is an exhilarating experience, filled with the joy of tiny paws, wagging tails, and those irresistible puppy eyes that can melt anyone’s heart. However, this excitement often coincides with challenges, such as puppy accidents and overwhelming situations that can leave new dog owners feeling exhausted. Many people ask breeders for the “calm one,” but predicting a puppy’s future temperament can be complex. Though the personalities of the puppy’s parents might provide some insight, many breeders may not fully understand them, and new owners often find it difficult to ask the right questions.
Even for those who train puppies professionally, time constraints can limit opportunities to research reliable breeders. Good options are often discovered through word of mouth. There is a general belief that breeders who prioritize the love of the breed and adhere to important socialization milestones—like those recommended in Puppy Culture—may produce more well-adjusted puppies than those motivated primarily by profit. Puppies raised in a home environment, with the nurturing of only one litter at a time, often show signs of better socialization and development.
Puppy Kindergarten Research
At Duke University, Dr. Brian Hare and researcher Vanessa Woods conducted an intriguing study at their Puppy Kindergarten research clinic, focusing on the development of seeing-eye and service dogs. Their research highlighted the impact of maternal styles on puppy behavior. Specifically, they discovered that puppies raised by mothers exhibiting a helicopter parenting style—characterized by being overly involved and responsive—tended to be more needy, more susceptible to separation anxiety, and developed stronger attachments to their caregivers. Conversely, puppies with more independent mothers, who were less responsive to their needs, grew to have more independent personalities. This independence is particularly advantageous for seeing-eye dogs, as these dogs often need to make critical decisions, such as refusing to enter dangerous situations for the safety of their owners (Hare & Woods).
Did I Make a Mistake Getting a Puppy?
Even if you didn’t end up with the “calm” puppy, you still have valuable opportunities for rearing that can significantly impact their later development so you havn’t made a misatek if you are putting in the time, effort, and right mindset. Your primary task is to take early socialization seriously; it’s crucial and demands patience, the use of cognitive & fun training games, and an understanding that nighttime crying or destructive behaviors often arise from a puppy’s developmental needs.
Don’t Make This Mistake
Not properly socializing a puppy can have significant negative effects. Additionally, mistreating or neglecting them can be swift and severely detrimental to their development.
Step Into Your Puppy Journey
On the positive side: following the recommended guidelines for the first 16 weeks of your puppy’s life sets a strong foundation for their development. During this critical period, there’s a socialization threshold that puppies need to reach through exposure to new dogs, people, and environments. After this threshold, additional exposure may not significantly impact most dogs. Ultimately, being part of a loving and supportive family plays a crucial role in helping your puppy grow into a well-adjusted and happy adult.
Your main objective is to recognize a puppy’s inherent talents and support them in thriving within a role that fits their abilities. Most pet owners need the assistance of a qualified puppy trainer who can guide them through this journey, addressing issues such as mouthing, nipping, jumping, chewing on belongings, and potty training.
Let Us Guide You & Your Puppy
You could spend hours scrolling through online tips — or you could save time, frustration, and confusion by working with a certified trainer who tailors each session to your dog’s personality and your home routine.
Professional trainers help you:
- Identify small problems before they become big ones.
- Teach effective communication through body language and timing.
- Set up your home for success — from schedules to enrichment ideas.
- Build consistency among everyone in your household.
Yes — You Should Train Your Puppy!
Training your puppy isn’t just worth it — it’s the key to raising a happy, well-behaved dog. While those early puppy days are full of joy, an untrained dog can lead to chewed shoes, costly repairs, and preventable stress.
Our positive puppy training programs are designed to prevent accidents, build confidence, and create a safe, loving bond between you and your pup.
Early training means better results. The first few months are the most important time to shape good habits and prevent behavior problems before they start. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or experienced handler, trainers everywhere agree: early puppy training sets the foundation for a lifetime of success.
Read Shelly’s Top 5 things to teach a puppy here
The Fetch Worthy Puppy Training Program
At Fetch Worthy Dog Training in South Austin, we understand the unique needs of puppies and their owners. That’s why we’ve developed our comprehensive In-home Puppy Training Program to give your new best friend the best start in life.
Fetch Worthy founder Shelly Haines has helped hundreds of families train new puppies and has become a puppy expert.
Key Features of Our Program:
- Positive Reinforcement: We use reward-based methods to make learning fun and effective for your puppy.
- Customized Approach: Every puppy is unique, and our program adapts to your pup’s individual needs and personality.
- Foundational Skills: We focus on essential skills like potty training, basic obedience, and socialization.
- Owner Education: We train puppies and teach you how to continue the training at home.
What Sets Us Apart
- Early Start: We begin training as soon as puppies are ready, typically around 8-10 weeks old.
- Holistic Approach: Our program covers not just obedience, but also socialization, handling, and problem prevention.
- Ongoing Support: We’re here for you beyond the initial training period, offering guidance as your puppy grows.
- Personalized Training Homework: We create videos just for you to show you what to do with your pup and what to look for.
- Trainer comes to you: Our puppy program takes place in the convenience of your own home, plus we can also go out to public areas for even better puppy socialization.
As Sharon, another satisfied client, shares:
“Shelly Haines has worked wonders with our puppy. She helped with potty training and then onto sit, down, stay and loose leash walking. Her suggestions and training on all of these have been so insightful and helpful. Shelly has taught us how our puppy thinks in order to help him become the wonderful companion we want him to be. I highly recommend Shelly and her company, Fetch Worthy!”