5 Puppy Training Mistakes Most New Dog Moms Make—And How to Fix Them Fast

Bringing home a new dog feels like living inside a Hallmark movie — the tiny paws, floppy ears, and that new puppy smell (yes, it’s a thing). But once the honeymoon phase wears off and you’re Googling “how to get pee out of rugs” at 2 a.m., reality hits: this will take actual work.

I’ve been there — standing barefoot on a chew toy while holding a bag of training treats and wondering if I’m doing anything right.

Whether you’re raising your first pup or have a few dog hair-covered battle scars, here are five common training mistakes — and what works instead.

1. Skipping Socialization

The Mistake: Thinking socialization just means meeting a few neighborhood pups at the local dog park.

Why It Matters: Puppies have a short, crucial “socialization window” between 3 and 16 weeks — basically, their golden age of forming opinions about the world. What they do (or don’t do) during this phase sticks. A well-socialized puppy becomes a calm, adaptable adult dog. A poorly socialized puppy can grow fearful, anxious, or even reactive.

The Fix: Think of socialization as building your puppy’s “life skills resume.” It’s more than dog playdates. It’s “Here’s a vacuum. It’s loud but safe. Here’s a man in a hoodie. He gives snacks.” The goal is to create calm familiarity with various people, sounds, and textures — not forcing new situations but gently introducing them.

I made a game of it with my puppy: a different “weird but safe” adventure each day. We walked across hardwood floors. Met the UPS guy. Sat near a playground and watched kids scream with joy. And every time? Treats and praise.

Try adding a few of these to your puppy’s weekly rotation:

• People: Kids, adults, people in sunglasses, wheelchairs, or uniforms
• Sounds: Blenders, leaf blowers, sirens, hairdryers
• Textures: Tile, gravel, sand, metal grates
• Places: Vet lobbies, car rides, pet-friendly stores, porches with wind chimes

If your pup seems unsure? No pressure. Just take a step back, stay upbeat, and try again later.

Pro Tip: Make a checklist and aim for 3–5 new experiences daily. They can be tiny — even just walking past a garbage truck. These little wins add up and build bravery fast.

2. Being Inconsistent with Commands

The Mistake: Sometimes saying “Down,” other times yelling “Off!” and wondering why your puppy stares at you like you just recited Shakespeare in Klingon.

Why It Matters: Puppies aren’t stubborn — they’re confused. They learn through patterns and repetition, not mind-reading. If one person says, “Come,” another says, “Here, girl!” and someone else chirps, “Let’s go,” your poor pup has no clue what earns praise and what gets a sigh of frustration.

Think of it like this: if your GPS gave you three different routes to the same place — all with slightly different names — you’d be pretty lost, too. Mixed messages = mixed behavior. Consistency isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

The Fix:
Pick one word for each command and lock it in. No synonyms. No variations. No switching things up because “Down” sounds boring today. If you say “Down” to mean “lie down,” but your partner uses it to mean “get off the couch,” your dog’s just going to lie on the couch and look smug about it.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to keep things straight:

• Sit = sit. Not “sit down,” “take a seat,” or “park it.”
• Down = lie down (use Off when you mean “get down” from furniture or people)
• Come = come to you. Not “here,” “over here,” or “let’s go”

The Fix: Choose one word per command and stick with it. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same language (no “sit” vs. “sit down” debates). Keep commands short and positive. Consistency is the secret sauce.

Pro Tip: Make a family command chart and slap it on the fridge. It doesn’t have to be fancy — just something to keep everyone on the same page (including the babysitter, the dog walker, and yes, even your well-meaning aunt visiting from Ohio).

Extra Tip: Skip the TED Talk and keep it snappy. Dogs respond best to short, upbeat cues. Think: “Sit!” Not: “Can you please sit down for mommy like a good little gentleman?” Clear commands lead to faster training — and fewer “Why is the dog ignoring me?” moments.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Use “Sit,” not “Sit down” one day and “Sit” the next.
• Use “Down” for lying down (and “Off” for getting off furniture or people).
• Use “Come” for recall—not “Here,” “Come on,” or “Over here.”

3. Relying Too Much on Treats

The Mistake: Handing out treats like candy at a parade and then wondering why your puppy suddenly turns into a statue the second your hands are empty.

Why It Matters: Puppies are adorable but also master negotiators. If they figure out that “sit” only counts when there’s a treat in your hand, they’ll start treating you like a vending machine. No snack? No service. You want a pup who listens because they want to — not one who’s constantly checking your pockets for a pepperoni payoff.

The Fix: Start with treats — absolutely. They’re gold when teaching something new, especially in distracting environments. But once your pup consistently nails a command, it’s time to shake things up. Here’s the trick: don’t reward every single time. Instead, keep ‘em guessing — like a slot machine, but way cuter.

Try this:

• Sometimes, reward with a treat.
• Sometimes, toss a toy or play tug for 10 seconds.
• Sometimes, give verbal praise (“Yes! Good girl!”) and a happy belly rub.
• Sometimes, a happy “yes!” is enough.

This is called a variable reward schedule — and it works wonders. It keeps your dog motivated without turning you into a walking treat dispenser. Better yet, it builds real-world reliability. You teach your puppy that listening is worth it, even if the cookie jar stays closed.

Pro Tip: Start turning treats into jackpots — save them for incredibly unforgettable moments, like an instant recall in the middle of chaos. That way, treats feel like a surprise bonus, not a payment plan.

In short: Teach with treats. Sustain with trust, play, and praise. Your future self (and your treat budget) will thank you.

4. Punishing After the Fact

The Mistake: Coming home to a shredded flip-flop and launching into a dramatic monologue — while your puppy tilts their head, blinks, and looks vaguely remorseful (but is just confused or low-key scared).

Why It Matters: Dogs don’t do time travel. They live in the now. So when you scold them for something they did 20 minutes ago — or even five — they’re not connecting the dots the way we think they are. That “guilty” look? It’s not guilt. It’s “Uh-oh, mom’s mad, and her voice got weird.” It’s body language that says, “Please don’t yell at me. I don’t know why you’re upset, but I’d really like a snack, and for this moment to be over.”

Punishing after the fact doesn’t teach your puppy what not to do — it just makes them wary, anxious, or afraid of your reactions. And that’s the opposite of what we want when building trust.

The Fix: Correct in the moment — or not at all.

If you catch them mid-misstep (chewing a shoe, eyeing the trash can, attempting to redecorate the rug with pee), here’s your three-step plan:

1. Interrupt: Make a quick, calm noise like “Eh-eh!” — just enough to snap them out of it.
2. Redirect: Hand them an appropriate alternative, like a chew toy or a puzzle feeder.
3. Reward: Praise like crazy when they take the bait and chew what they should be chewing.

If you don’t catch them in the act? Deep breath. Clean it up. And take it as a note to adjust the environment for better puppy-proofing, not scold the pup.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Close closet doors (goodbye, shoe buffet)
• Use baby gates or playpens when you can’t supervise
• Give safe outlets for chewing, digging, or exploring
• Crate or tether when you’re busy and can’t keep eyes on them
  

Pro Tip: Assume your puppy will make mistakes — and manage their world like a toddler-proofed house. Set them up for success instead of reacting after the damage is done. You can even grab my Puppy-Proofing Quick Checklist — because a little prevention goes a long way (and saves your shoes).

In short: Correct calmly in the moment, don’t scold in hindsight, and design your home like your puppy is the world’s cutest chaos gremlin. Because they kind of are.

5. Expecting Too Much, Too Soon

The Mistake: Wondering why your 12-week-old pup isn’t potty trained, hasn’t mastered “leave it,” and still thinks your hand is a chew toy… and quietly panicking that you adopted a furry little menace.

Why It Matters: Puppies are adorable, wiggly, zero-chill babies. They’re not born with impulse control or the ability to hold it for hours. They don’t automatically understand your house rules. And just like toddlers, they need time, repetition, and lots (and lots) of patience to figure out how to be a functioning family member. Expecting perfection too early sets you both up for frustration. Worse, it can chip away at the trust you’re working so hard to build.

The Fix: Adjust your expectations to match your puppy’s age and stage — and allow yourself permission to slow down.

Here’s a general guide:

• 8–12 weeks: Accidents are frequent. Supervision is nonstop. You’ll feel like you live outside. This is normal.
• 4–6 months: Better bladder control and basic command understanding. But still needs reminders (and occasional cleanups).
• 6–12 months: Some puppies get it by now. Others? Still sneaking socks and forgetting their name in public. Also normal.

Instead of measuring “success” by how few accidents happen, try celebrating the little wins:

• Potty outside after a nap? Treats and a dance party.
• Chose a toy over your sandal? Praise like they cured cancer.
• Didn’t bite your sleeve during play? Victory lap.

Puppies repeat what gets rewarded. Catch good behavior in the act, even if it feels tiny or noticeable. That’s how confidence — and good habits — grow.

Pro Tip: Track progress week by week, not day by day. There will be setbacks. Off days. Growth spurts. Random regressions. It’s not failure — it’s development.

In short: Your wild, clumsy, nippy little sidekick is learning — but they’re still under construction. Lead with patience. Train with joy. And remember: the dog you dream of having? You’re raising them right now.

Final Woof:

Puppyhood is chaotic, heart-melting, and—let’s be honest—completely exhausting some days. There will be chewed shoes. Missed potty breaks. Sleepless nights. And moments when you wonder if you’re totally screwing it up.

But you’re not. You’re doing better than you think.

Every consistent command, every patient redirection, every happy “yes!” you whisper when they finally get it—those little moments are adding up. You’re not just training a dog. You’re building something bigger: a bond rooted in trust, love, and shared adventures.

You’re raising your future best friend. The one who’ll dance through your joy, sit beside your heartbreak and look at you like you hung the moon—even if you forgot breakfast.

These wild, wonderful puppy days fly by in a blur of zoomies and snuggles—but the love you’re building? That sticks for life.