I see a lot of new owners here feeling frustrated, tired, or like they made a mistake. I want to share a mindset that helps put those first few weeks into perspective.
Your puppy just left his litter mates and entered a world he does not understand yet. He is not giving you a hard time, he is looking for direction. Everything he learns now comes from how you lead.
Even if you had adopted an older dog from the shelter, you would still be doing the same thing. Building communication, structure, and trust through consistency and repetition. Dogs learn through cause and effect, not emotion. Every interaction teaches something.
Keep the days simple and repeatable. Feed, go out, play, rest, repeat. Predictability creates stability. Leadership is not about control, it is about clarity. Be consistent, follow through, and the dog will start to find confidence in your direction.
Figure this out and you will start seeing progress and building the bond you wanted from the start.
What part of bringing a puppy home turned out to be harder than you expected?
submitted by /u/Russ_Norcross
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