Six Mistakes You Should NEVER Make With Your Puppy (Seriously)
No, no, no. You can’t just wing it when a puppy arrives at your home. Especially if it’s a giant breed that’s going to hit 60 kilos in no time… If you mess this up early, it’ll be total chaos later.
So if you want a puppy that makes your jaw drop and turns into an absolute legend — balanced, sharp, powerful — there are a few things you should never do. Let me break them down for you.
1. Don’t humanize them
This one’s classic. You walk your puppy in your arms because they’re small and cute. You treat them like a baby. Big mistake.
That’s humanizing the dog. They need to walk, explore, smell the world. They’re not plush toys — they’re dogs. And the sooner they start behaving like one, the better their mental and emotional growth.
2. No routine = big problem
Puppies thrive on structure. Especially up to one year of age, they need to eat three times a day: morning, noon, night.
Choose hours that work for you, but stick to them. Food, playtime, sleep — routine helps them feel safe and forms their habits. Without that structure, you get chaos.
3. Don’t allow everything
Yeah, I get it. “He’s just a baby.” “It’s fine, it’s cute.” NO.
Yes, puppies chew and destroy things. But you can’t just let them do whatever they want. Set boundaries. Because that cute little puppy? In a few months, it’ll be massive.
What you allow now will be how they act as adults. Teach them properly now — you’ll thank yourself later.
4. Don’t skip socialization
This one’s huge. “I don’t take him out ‘cause I’m scared he’ll get sick…” — Big no-no.
Your pup needs to hear city sounds, see cars, walk on different surfaces, meet other dogs. Some of that the breeder might’ve started. But the rest? That’s on you.
Expose them to all kinds of environments early. It builds confidence.
5. Don’t scold them hours later
Your puppy pees indoors at 10 AM, and you scold him at noon? Useless.
It has to be immediate. If he’s chewing a cable, say “NO!” — firmly. That tone? That’s what they learn from.
Three hours later, he won’t remember. He’s not ignoring you — he’s just confused.
6. Don’t over-bathe
Yes, puppies get dirty. But no, you don’t need to bathe them every few days.
Only wash when necessary, and use dog-friendly shampoo with the right pH. Human shampoo damages their coat and skin over time.
I bathe mine once a month, tops. Maybe twice if they roll in something nasty. But not more than that — their skin is delicate, and over-washing harms them.
That’s it. Six common mistakes you must avoid if you want your puppy to grow into a calm, powerful, incredible dog.
It’s not just about love. It’s about structure, timing, and doing things right.
Catch you later!