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written by petsfolio on Feb 05, 2026

Category // Dog Training

Is My Puppy Naughty or Confused Puppy Training Guide

Puppy training often leaves new dog owners confused, especially when they see their puppy chewing shoes, ignoring commands, or having accidents at home. The short truth? Most puppies are not mischievous; they are confused during puppy training, not disobedient. The difference when known can completely change your training, bonding, and way of raising your dog.

Puppy training

Puppies Don’t Think Like Humans

Puppies do not learn about rules, expectations, and what is bad the way we learn about them. They live now and redo what is working for them. When a behavior is rewarded, even probably by mistake, it will tend to recur.

As an example, when your puppy jumps on you and is given attention (including negative attention), it learns that jumping is effective. On their part, that is a victory.

Why Puppies Seem Naughty During Puppy Training

What we consider as naughty behavior is usually normal puppy behavior, with the lack of clear communication. Puppies are mouthy, energetic, and curious about of the world. Where the lack of direction or inconsistency in direction occurs, confusion manifests itself as waywardness.

Common reasons puppies appear naughty:

  • They are yet unaware of what you desire.
  • Training has not been regular.
  • They are too young to be expected.
  • They are fatigued, hyperactive, or hungry.
  • No one has shown them what to do instead

Puppy Learning

Signs Your Puppy Is Confused (Not Naughty)

The confusion usually appears to be the mess, but it is a learning stage. Your puppy may:

  • Abide by an order here and there.
  • Does well at home and fails outside.
  • Accidents occur even after using the potty.
  • Eats random objects rather than toys.
  • Appears to forget the training the next night.

This doesn’t mean your puppy is stubborn or disobedient—it means the lesson isn’t clear yet.

How Puppy Training Works: How Puppies Actually Learn

It is through association and repetition of the puppies that they learn, and not through punishment. They relate behavior to consequences. In case the result is favorable, they redo the action. In case it is incomplete or contradictory, confusion is experienced.

Proper puppy training revolves around:

  • Significant hints (similar word, similar tone)
  • Immediate rewards
  • Short, positive sessions
  • Repeating in other settings.

Common Puppy Training Mistakes That Cause Confusion

Most good owners do not intend to go backward, so they do such things as:

  • Giving instructions several times.
  • Substituting words (come, here, and come on).
  • Punishing rather than diverting.
  • Training only indoors
  • Asking a puppy to act like an adult.

Positive Outcome

These errors do not spoil your puppy, but they can slow down puppy training progress.

What to Do Instead

When your puppy is misbehaving, you need to change your frame of thinking so that instead of asking yourself why you are acting this way, you should ask yourself what I have not taught you clearly as yet.

Try this approach:

  • Recompense the action you desire, on the spot.
  • Divert undesired behavior amicably.
  • Make training sessions brief (510 minutes).
  • Control the environment (restrict the availability of trouble)
  • Patience, learning is a long process.

Age Matters More Than You Think

Rapid brain development occurs in puppies. Something your puppy has a hard time doing when you are 10 weeks together might just work when you are 14 weeks together. It does not always go upwards, and failures are normal.

The Big Takeaway

Your puppy is not out to be mean. They are attempting to find out an entirely new world with little knowledge and much excitement. Training becomes less time-consuming, less difficult, and enjoyable both to you and the person you are working with when you substitute frustration with clarity.

Ready for Expert Help?

Petsfolio Dog Training will guide you (step-by-step) and design unique training sessions and the best-proven techniques that work, particularly in your situation.

  • Change bewilderment to confidence.
  • Reshape better behavior through positive training.
  • Puppy training starts here begin your puppy’s training journey with confidence today.

Petsfolio Dog Training: Explore Petsfolio Dog Training and provide your puppy with what they need: clarity

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