Your New Puppy: Dog Training and Dog Behavior Lessons to Help You Turn Your New Puppy into a Well-Behaved Dog

YNP #110: Let’s Talk Puppy Witching Hour

It’s been a great day. Your puppy has been an angel. And then out of nowhere, your puppy flips a switch.  The biting gets more intense. They stop responding to anything you say. They’re lunging, they’re frantic, and for a second, you actually wonder if something is wrong with them. Or with you. This is puppy witching hour. And it is so much more common than you think. It usually hits in the evening, right when you’re tired, and your patience is running low. And if your puppy had a full, active day, that might actually be exactly why it’s happening. This is not a sign that your puppy is aggressive, out of control, or that you’re doing something wrong. This is a normal developmental phase, and once you understand what’s driving it, you’ll know exactly what to do and what to skip. In this episode, I talk about: What puppy witching hour actually looks like and why it’s so disorienting Why overstimulation and exhaustion trigger this kind of frantic behavior The toddler tantrum connection and what it tells us about puppy emotional development Why this is NOT the moment to discipline, redirect, or try and teach your puppy anything What your puppy actually needs in these moments (hint: it’s not more exercise) How the habits you’re building outside of these episodes will make them less frequent over time Enjoying this podcast?  Please rate and review it wherever you listen.  This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #046: Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still be Struggling Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #078: Games to Play With a Nipping Puppy Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #060: Kids and Puppies YOUR Perfect Puppy: If you’re looking for ongoing guidance with situations like this, this episode is also a great example of the kind of real-life problem-solving we do inside YOUR Perfect Puppy, where I help you turn everyday chaos into manageable routines that work for your household.

YNP #109: Three Things I Wish Every Puppy Parent Knew Week One

YNP #108: What It Means to Prepare for Your New Puppy

YNP #107: Stop Dinnertime Chaos

YNP #106: Three Ways to Upgrade Your Walk

Potty training was going so well… until it suddenly wasn’t. Let’s discuss why potty training regression is completely normal, what it actually means, and how to get back on track without feeling like you’ve failed your puppy. You have a stretch of good days, you start to feel confident, and then all of a sudden, the accidents are back. It feels like you’re back at square one, you start asking what you did wrong, and you might even wonder what’s wrong with your puppy. Here is the truth.Regression is normal. It doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean your puppy forgot everything. It means you are in the middle of the process. If this episode really resonates, I also recommend Episode 79: “Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training?” where I walk through the three key points I always cover with clients who are stuck. In this episode, I talk about: What potty training actually looks like (progress in NOT a straight line) The most common reason for potty training regression. Why regression seems to happen right at the end. How a small change in routine can have a big impact on your progress. The difference between a random accident and true regression. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy: A free download that walks you through my complete process YNP #065: YOUR New Puppy: My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone! Additional Potty Training Episodes: YNP #009: Why Indoor Pads Should Not Be Used When House Training Your Puppy YNP #010: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #039: Common Potty Accidents YNP #041: Raising a Puppy in an Apartment YNP #056: Potty Training for a Working Household YNP #072: Should You Use a Potty Bell? YNP #079: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training? YNP #085: How to Handle Potty Training Overnight YNP #090: When Your Dog Hates the Rain YNP #092: Why Not to Punish Puppy Potty Accidents