02/10/2026
Recently, I came across a post where someone bravely reached out for help with their puppy. The video showed exactly what it was a high drive puppy doing very normal puppy things. I have a lot of respect for anyone willing to ask for help, especially publicly.
What shocked me was not the puppy’s behavior.
It was the response.
About 90 percent of the comments jumped straight to punishment. Shock collars. Choke chains. Dominance. Firm “no’s.” Make sure the dog knows who’s boss.
This article is not about those tools.
It’s about something much bigger.
Why is our first line of defense with a baby animal punishment?
Punishing a puppy for acting like a puppy is the equivalent of punishing a baby for crying. Puppies have needs. They have developmental stages. They explore the world with their mouths. That doesn’t make them bad. It makes them puppies.
When we miss that, we miss the entire point.
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A Shift in Perspective That Changed Everything for Me
One of the most important things my mentor ever said to me was this
The first year is about building confidence.
That sentence changed how I see dogs entirely.
Instead of yelling “no,” show your dog what you want.
Instead of focusing on stopping behavior, teach replacement behavior.
Reward what you like. Redirect what you don’t.
Once you really think about it, this approach feels like common sense.
In nature, mothers teach their young how to behave and how to survive. Humans teach their children how to regulate, communicate, and function in the world. So why are we so focused on telling puppies what not to do instead of teaching them what to do?
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My Advice Short Version
1. Research the breed
Every breed comes with genetic needs and behaviors. A working breed puppy is not broken because it is busy, vocal, mouthy, or intense. That is literally what it was designed to be.
2. Understand developmental stages
Most people do not realize puppies need a minimum of 18 hours of sleep per day. An overtired puppy looks hyper, wild, and unmanageable. People assume the puppy needs more exercise, when in reality it needs more rest.
3. Crate train properly
Crate training is not punishment. It is a gift. It allows puppies to fully turn off and get deep rest. Working breeds are often “on” even while sleeping, alert to every sound. A crate gives their nervous system a chance to truly decompress. It also limits opportunities to practice unwanted behaviors all day long.
4. Use food to teach, not just feed
Hand feed. Reward calm choices. Reward engagement. Use kibble to reinforce the behaviors you want to see more of. When biting or chaos ramps up, redirect to a productive behavior and consider that it may be time for sleep.
5. Invest in a qualified trainer
One hour with the right trainer can change the entire trajectory of a dog’s life. It is far cheaper than years of frustration, behavior fallout, vet bills, or rehoming heartbreak.
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Final Thoughts
Puppies are not trying to dominate us.
They are trying to learn the world.
When we lead with education instead of punishment, we build confident, regulated dogs. And confident dogs grow into stable adults. Noble Canyon K9 Facility
The goal isn’t control.
The goal is understanding.
