HELP! I’ve Adopted A BIG MISTAKE! – Surviving Puppy Regret
So, you’ve brought home a puppy, and instead of feeling like your life is now filled with joy and cuddles… you’re sitting on the floor at 2am Googling, “Why is my puppy *insert potentially annoying behaviour*?!”.
Your entire schedule is now littered (pun intended) with a million puppy-related duties that you didn’t even think of, everything has been peed on, your clothes are full of holes… You might feel like you’ve made a huge mistake—but with the right understanding and training, this phase will pass!
First things first: you are not alone. Puppy regret is real. Many new puppy owners experience a wave of guilt, frustration, and even panic in those early months. It is a huge responsibility to be suddenly caring for a little creature who is confused, and speaks a totally different language!
When you’re running on no sleep, trying to juggle life, and dodging razor-sharp puppy teeth, it’s no wonder you’re questioning your life choices. But remember—this is a developmental stage, not forever!
Let’s have a look at how we can understand and cope with some of these common puppy problems…
1. The Witching Hour – Evening Zoomies
That hour before bedtime when your puppy turns into a furry tornado? Completely normal. Puppies, often experience a burst of energy in the evenings, and if you don’t help them channel it, they are going to find somewhere to put it!
What to Do:
Be proactive, and not reactive, If you know it’s going to happen every evening, get prepared! Set a reminder for 20 minutes before they go into goblin mode, and give them somewhere to put that energy!
Structured Play – Use this time to play, train and bond! Games like tug, or short training games, will help channel that energy into a more productive place.
Outlets for Natural Behaviour – Natural chews, latex toys, and soft toys give our puppies opportunities for outlets for natural behaviours like shredding, dissecting and chewing.
Wind-Down Routine – Like toddlers, puppies thrive on routine. After play, dim the lights, offer a chew, and encourage a quiet settle in their bed.
Enforce Nap Times: Provide Ample opportunities to rest throughout the day, puppies need around 18+ hours of sleep a day! A lot of the time, this final act of madness is a sign our pups are overtired.
Use Pens and Barriers: We want to keep our puppies safe, but we also have things we need to do without a furry Jaws hanging from our ankles. Set up a safe area for your puppy to hang out in the same room as you.
2. Teething Terror – The Biting Phase
Those razor-sharp puppy teeth hurt, and your arms might look like you’ve wrestled a cactus. But biting is normal puppy behaviour—they’re exploring, teething, and learning bite inhibition.
What to Do:
Don’t shout, shriek or scream: Contrary to popular belief, this can rile puppies up and reinforce biting, depending on the personality of your pup. For a less confident puppy, it might even scare them.
Reward BEFORE biting: Every time you sit down with your puppy, be armed with a toy or a few treats in your pocket. Watch them closely, don’t wait for them to bite: get in there first, and reward for engaging with you without teeth!
Redirect Attention : The key to this is timing, redirect their attention onto a toy before they start going to town on your fingers and arms. Be lively and animated, a still chew toy is nowhere near as fun as a wriggling human. If teeth land on skin, the game/interaction stops!
Frozen Chews: Frozen carrots, wet cloths, or frozen Kongs soothe sore gums.
Teach “All Done”: Use play and training sessions to teach your puppy when an interaction is ‘all done’, this causes less frustration as they know what to expect.
Use Pens and Barriers: They can’t bite you, if they can’t reach you! There is nothing wrong with putting your puppy where you can observe them, but they can’t get to you. Avoid making this a punishment, give them something to do and pop them away!
3. Appetite for Destruction – Why They’re Eating Chewing!
Shoes? Gone. Skirting boards? Chewed. Sofa cushions? Exploded. Puppies don’t destroy things because they’re “naughty”—they do it because:
They’re teething
They are exploring the world via their mouth
They’re bored
They are overtired
They haven’t learned what’s okay to chew yet
They are trying to tell you something!
How to Save Your House:
Management Is Key – Puppy-proof like you would for a toddler. Use pens, baby gates, or crates to make sure your pup can’t access inappropriate items while they learn.
Offer Legal Chewing – Give them loads of chew options: natural chews (life stage appropriate please!) latex or rubber toys, stuffed toys, frozen Kongs.
Enrichment, Not Furniture – Scatter feeding, snuffle mats, and training games help burn mental energy, so they don’t turn your home into a crime scene.
Take A Closer Look: If your puppy is chewing on items around the home, I want you to look at the items they are opting for and find the closest match as an alternative. E.g. if they are chewing your leather sofa or shoes, have a look at some leather chews for them to sink their teeth into!
4. Toilet Training Troubles
Feel like your puppy has peed everywhere except outside? Don’t worry—house training takes time, and accidents are part of the process. Prepare yourself for this with stocking up on enzymatic cleaner, and moving anything you value (like expensive dry-clean only rugs!) out of the area!
Toilet Training Tips:
Supervise, Supervise, Supervise: If your puppy isn’t sleeping, take them outside every 30–60 minutes!
Be QUIET: Say your toilet cue, and then be quiet! If they don’t go after 5–10 mins, pop back inside for a few minutes, go back out and try again.
Reward Instantly: Praise and treat the second they finish outside.
Predictable Routine: After naps, meals, and play, straight outside they go.
Don’t use Puppy Pads: Puppy pads confuse our pups! You’ll end up having to train them twice, once to go on the pad, and then again when you take the pad away! Start as you mean to go on, and dedicate the time to training them properly.
5. No Time for Yourself – The Clingy Shadow Puppy
You imagined quiet evenings with your dog curled at your feet. Instead, you can’t even pee without tiny paws scratching at the door. Puppies hate being alone because they’re still learning independence, and all of their instincts are geared towards sticking with their family. We’ve already interrupted that by taking them away from Mum and their litter, so in the early stages (up to 6 months), it is really important to try to stick around as much as possible!
How to Get Your Life Back:
Pen & Crate Training: – Teach them that settling in a safe space is a good thing, not a punishment. Even when you’re home, pop them in their crate/pen with a chew for short periods so they learn that being alone is normal.
Start Small: Practice leaving your puppy for just 1–2 minutes with something fun (rotate regularly, so it doesn’t predict absence) and build up gradually.
Get a Sitter : Whether this is a professional, or trusted friends or family, line up a variety of people to help before you get your puppy! Let’s face it, most people will jump to look after your pup for you for a few hours.
Right now, it feels like you’ll never have a moment’s peace. But with consistency and time, you will get your life back.
6. Managing Your Own Expectations
You might be dreaming of a calm, obedient dog already—but puppies are babies! Their brains are still developing, and training takes months of consistent practice.
Your Survival Tips:
Lower your expectations – Focus on sleep, toilet training, and socialization for now!
Take breaks – Crate or pen training gives you some breathing space.
Ask for help – Puppy classes or private training can save your sanity.
You Haven’t Made a Mistake – You’re Just in the Hard Part
Right now, you might be convinced you’ve ruined your life. But every puppy owner who has felt this way (and that’s most of us!) says the same thing: it gets better, and it’s worth it.
Need More Help?
If you’re overwhelmed, I can help you with 1-2-1 puppy training sessions—tailored to help you survive this stage and enjoy your puppy again! Get in touch today to start turning “big mistake” into “best decision ever.”