Oh the puppy blues~ some puppies sail through puppy-hood smoothly and put nary a paw wrong all the time they are growing up (I like to think that mine are in that category of course!), others are a bit more strong willed and will keep you on your training toes, regularly asking “who’s in charge here?” and you’ll need to be quick to answer that all the leadership spots have been taken thank you very kindly!

That being said, having a structured start with a fair amount of discipline and guidance even as babies helps loads, but sometimes even the best of puppies will make rather alarming departures from the path you want them on, not to panic!

Often it’s simply a need for more opportunities to vent puppy energy, like all young creatures, puppies need to be able to run and play, it’s amazing how much better a puppy will listen to your commands when he’s had a half hour to let off a bit of steam!  Look at it from the puppy’s viewpoint, life is so much fun and learning to sit can be rather dull, make training fun and try to time your sessions for after your little fellow has worn himself out slightly, he’ll listen ever so much more diligently!

Remember to make doing the right thing fun and rewarding, doing the wrong thing, not so much! Your voice is your most valuable tool, use it wisely, use it with great timing, praise sincerely, reprimand firmly but fairly and hang in there, your puppy baby will be all grown up before you know it!