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Bringing home a puppy is exciting, exhausting and often nothing like you imagined, so what actually matters in those first few weeks?
In this episode of The Yappy Hour, Nathan is joined by puppy behaviourist Jeanette Muldoon, co-founder of Easy Peasy Puppy Training and The Family Dog Club, for a reassuring and practical conversation about raising puppies without getting caught up in perfection.
Jeanette explains why sleep, safety and connection matter so much in early puppyhood, what puppy biting and zoomies may be telling us, and why socialisation isn’t about meeting as many dogs and people as possible. They also talk about managing arousal, creating safe spaces, building confidence and helping puppies learn to spend time alone at their own pace.
Most importantly, Jeanette shares why there is no single timeline your puppy should be following, and why understanding the puppy in front of you is far more useful than comparing them with somebody else’s.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why puppy biting can become more intense when puppies are tired or overstimulated
✅ How sleep, arousal and behaviour are connected during puppyhood
✅ Why the first week at home should focus on safety and settling in rather than intensive training
✅ What good puppy socialisation actually looks like and why more isn’t always better
✅ How to recognise when your puppy may be overwhelmed and respond to their body language
✅ How management, enrichment and safe spaces can help puppies regulate and settle
✅ Why your puppy isn’t “behind” just because another puppy is learning something faster
Key Takeaways:
Puppyhood is a huge adjustment. The reality can be very different from the picture people have in their heads, so realistic expectation, and understanding the individual puppy you’ve brought home, really matter.
Connection comes before perfection. Young puppies aren’t deliberately being naughty. Management, guidance and reinforcing the behaviour you want to see are more useful than focusing on everything they’re getting “wrong.”
Sleep affects behaviour more than many owners realise. Biting, grabbing, zoomies and seemingly chaotic behaviour can all be signs that a puppy is overtired or overstimulated rather than in need of more exercise.
The first few weeks are about safety. Rather than rushing into a long training checklist, give your puppy time to settle, explore safely and learn that their new home and people are secure.
Socialisation doesn’t mean meeting everyone. Good socialisation is about positive experiences at a pace your individual puppy can cope with, including learning to feel safe around dogs and people without necessarily interacting with them.
Watch the puppy in front of you. Body language, breed, temperament and what’s happened that day all matter. A puppy who coped brilliantly with something yesterday may find the same situation overwhelming today.
There is no such thing as being “behind”. Puppies develop at different rates. Comparing yours with somebody else’s can create unnecessary pressure when the more useful measure is whether your puppy is progressing at a pace that’s right for them.
Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs.
Connect with Jeanette
Easy Peasy Puppy Training website
Easy Peasy Puppy Training Facebook
Connect with Nathan and Yappily
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