If there is one piece of puppy advice almost everyone hears, it is this: "Walk them more." "Play with them more." "Keep them busy so they do not get into trouble."
It sounds reasonable. Responsible, even.
So when a puppy gets bitey, chaotic, or completely unfocused, most new owners land on the same conclusion. They must need more activity.
But for a lot of puppies, that assumption is exactly what makes things worse.
🐕 Mistake #1: Trying to tire them out
The idea that a puppy needs to be exhausted in order to behave is incredibly common.
Longer walks. Extra playtime. More stimulation stacked on top of stimulation. It feels like the right move.
The problem is that puppies have very limited self-regulation. They do not know when to stop. When activity keeps piling up, many puppies tip straight into overstimulation.
That overstimulation often looks like zoomies, nonstop biting, frantic behavior, or a total inability to focus.
What looks like excess energy is often an overtired puppy who does not know how to settle.
Shorter, more intentional activity paired with regular rest usually works far better than constant motion.
🐕 Mistake #2: Constant mental stimulation
Mental enrichment is important. It is also very easy to overdo.
When puppies are given puzzles, games, or training tasks every time they look bored, they can learn to rely on external stimulation to regulate themselves.
Instead of winding down after an activity, they immediately start asking for the next one.
This creates a puppy who expects constant engagement and struggles when nothing is happening.
Limiting enrichment to specific times of day and allowing low-stimulation periods helps puppies learn an underrated skill. Doing nothing is okay.
🐕 Mistake #3: Assuming puppies will learn to relax on their own
Some puppies naturally settle. Many do not.
Resting, self-soothing, and relaxing are not automatic. They are skills. Without guidance, puppies often become demanding of attention or stay stuck in a constant state of alertness.
Teaching calm can look simple. Designated rest times. Encouraging relaxed behavior. Letting a puppy exist near their owner without interaction.
Once expectations are clear, many puppies settle much faster than people expect.
🐕 Mistake #4: Avoiding structure because they are just a puppy
It is tempting to avoid routines early on. Puppies are small. Their behavior feels temporary. Everything seems like a phase.
But most puppies do better with predictability.
Loose but consistent patterns like nap, potty, play, training, rest help puppies understand what comes next. That clarity reduces uncertainty, which often shows up as whining or attention-seeking.
Structure does not mean strict scheduling. It simply means the day makes sense.
🐕 Mistake #5: Managing puppyhood instead of training for adulthood
Many behaviors feel manageable when puppies are young. Constant engagement. Demand barking. Needing entertainment every few minutes.
But puppies do not grow out of habits. They grow into them.
Teaching calm early, reinforcing relaxation, and helping puppies adapt to an owner’s routine sets the foundation for an easier adult dog.
The goal is not just to survive puppyhood. It is to shape long-term behavior.
So what makes the difference?
It is not possible to out-exercise a puppy into calm.
Physical activity and mental stimulation matter. So do rest, routine, and learning how to settle.
A well-regulated puppy is not one who is exhausted. It is one who knows how to relax.
For many new owners, small changes in structure and expectations make a bigger difference than adding more walks or activities.
Often, less really is more.
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