5 Puppy Training Mistakes Every Owner Makes (And How to Fix Them)

Inconsistent commands and expectations
Dogs learn faster when everyone uses the same cues and enforces the same rules. If you say “off” but someone else says “down,” your pup won’t know which word to obey. Likewise, allowing couch access sometimes and scolding the dog other times confuses them.

Fix it: agree on a single command for each behavior and make sure all family members use it. Decide which behaviors are always allowed and which are not, and stick to that.

Repeating commands and confusing cues
One of the biggest mistakes people make is repeating a cue over and over when the dog doesn’t respond. This teaches the puppy that the first few commands are optional. It can also confuse them if you change your tone or body language.

Fix it: say the cue once and wait. If the dog doesn’t respond, guide them into the correct behavior gently and reward them. Clear cues and immediate reinforcement speed up learning.

Using punishment instead of positive reinforcement
Punishment or “aversive” methods—such as yelling, leash corrections, shock or prong collars—are largely ineffective and can damage your relationship with your dog. Negative reinforcement can create fear and reactivity rather than trust and cooperation.

Fix it: reward desired behaviors with treats, praise and play. Positive reinforcement has been shown to be more effective and humane.

Skipping early socialization or overwhelming the puppy
Lack of early socialization can lead to adult dogs that are reactive toward other dogs or fearful around unfamiliar people. On the other hand, flooding a puppy with too much, too soon—forcing them into scary situations—can backfire.

Fix it: expose your puppy to new people, animals, sounds and places gradually and positively. Watch for signs of stress (tucked tail, pinned ears, yawning) and take breaks. Socialization should be about gentle introductions, not overwhelm.

Holding training sessions too long
Dogs have short attention spans. Research and trainers recommend keeping sessions short—five to ten minutes a few times a day—to prevent boredom and frustration. Long sessions can cause your pup to lose interest.

Fix it: practice one or two behaviors per session and end on a positive note. Multiple short sessions will help your puppy retain information and look forward to training.