14 Precious Pearls of Pupper Wisdom Your Fellow Pawrents Want You to Know

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Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Aug 25, 2026 10:45 AM EDT

With all the noise and trends surrounding how to raise your pupper best, it can be utterly confusing to know where to start and how. So we figured we would start at the beginning, with some wisdom passed down from pupper pawrent to pupper pawrent.

Much like hooman advice, dog advice is best given by someone who has spent years dedicating themselves to doggos. And much like the aforementioned hooman advice, it is best heard from the mouths of the pawrents on the front lines, living with their pups each and everyday. These are the people who have seen dogs come and go, they've raised them from puppies and they've buried them in their yard. They've seen them through births and held them through storms. So you had better believe that with all that experience, these pawrents know a thing or two about the puppers they so diligently pawtect.

Now you might be wondering why we would look to bring you such general advice. Why not focus on the specific needs of a pup. Well, the truth is that a pup's needs change on a case by case basis. Even two pups of the same breed might need totally different toys, food and bedding. But one thing that is constant across all doggos is their relationship to their pawrent and the way that is conducted. And with these pearls of wisdom we hope you will learn a thing or two to help you handle the ups and downs of doggo pawrenthood and enjoy the precious time you have with your pupper. 
 

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  • 01
    "Love them every day, through every activity, good and bad. They don't last long enough."
    via TheGreatGena

    Brown small dog playing on beach

    Scene shown is a visual representation.


     

  • 02
    sachielzack When your dog won't come at you don't chase him, as dogs read this as initiation to play. I'd also add that when your dog is off leash and find something arguably yummy/interesting to keep in his mouth don't chase him down yelling; instead, throw yourself in some bushes/high grass and pretend to have found something even more interesting. When the dog come to you and drop what he's holding, reward him with your "findings" (ie wurstel, or even better dryed up or is such as lungs).
    via TheGreatGena
  • 03
    TOPFN CSSENTIAL TOPFIN ALL-IN-ONE Andromeda
    via Farmerka5
  • 04
    nothanksyouidiot You and your dog are a team. Have fun together.
    via TheGreatGena
  • 05
    ThrowRAzilla To let your dog be a dog. Don't get upset if they roll in deer sl, or run in the mud after a bath, or want to chase small animals ... they can't help it! Deer si smells sooooo yummy to them
    via TheGreatGena
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    Cheezburger Image 10656954624
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    Realistic-Spend7096 Love them every day, through every activity, good and bad. They don't last long enough.
    via TheGreatGena
  • 08
    [deleted] Every interaction with your pup/dog is a training opportunity Learn to speak dog, as in learn what their body language and behaviour is telling you.
    via TheGreatGena

  • This is such a good point. Unlike our hooman children, dogs do not interact with us nearly as much or in such depth. So when we do have direct interaction with our puppers, those are the moments that we are teaching them how we expect them to behave. Whether that means letting them run off with the ball, playing their own version of fetch which turns into them stealing all your socks at home. Or it means teaching them how to retrieve on command, drop on command and play while respecting your instructions.
     

  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10656954880
    via Farmerka5
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    halfadash6 Specifically for the puppy days, freeze a meal into two kongs (or whatever volume you need). This was life saving for us with a rambunctious pup in a tiny apartment. Also, reward calmness. Lots of dogs need to be taught how to just chill.
    via TheGreatGena
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    justalittlewiley It's always your fault. Dog does something wrong? You only have yourself to be mad at for not anticipating and taking enough time to train
    via TheGreatGena

  • While this is a little too self-depricating in our eyes, it has a very valid point and one that is not addressed nearly enough. Our dogs are a product of us, their pawrents. If your dog has a certain behavior that is problematic, the onus is on you, not the dog. You are the one they look to when learning how to behave in the world. If you allow it, they do it. We could all do with taking a look at ourselves and having a stern conversation about how we can grow up a little bit more and take more responsibility for our puppers.

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    Cheezburger Image 10656955904
    via Farmerka5
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    The Yankunian Learn a relax protocol. My dog goes OTT when he's playing with other dogs and can be a be a bit of a jerk. Someone on Reddit told me to teach him how to relax when it gets too much. If he's getting boisterous, I yell 'RELAX!' in a firm tone. He usually will break play and come toward me. If he ignores me more than twice, he gets put back on a short lead and walked way from the fun in circles until he calms down. Then he has to sit for a minute before he can join the others.
    via TheGreatGena
  • 14
    tmntmikey80 I have several pieces of advice I've gotten as a first time owner, especially as a reactive dog owner: Let them sniff. Go at their pace. If training isn't going to plan, don't blame the dog, figure out what YOU are doing wrong. Set your dog up for success. Obedience doesn't solve everything. Focus on your dog feeling safe vs what they can and cannot do. Use management. It is your friend. Science over anecdotes.
    via TheGreatGena
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    Cheezburger Image 10656954112
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    bananapartay You don't like every person out there... Your dog doesn't need to like every single dog. We put too much pressure on dogs to be friendly with everyone and every dog
    via TheGreatGena
  • 17
    Ms-Anon-Y-Mous Just hang tight during the "teenage" months (usually from 6 months to one year old in small breeds). Pure H E double hockey sticks. Been through it thrice.
    via TheGreatGena
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    Cheezburger Image 10656955136
    via Farmerka5
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    frojujoju Walking the dog with a harness and a 10-15ft long leash, following the dog where the dog wants to go and stopping when they start sniffing. If you have a dog that pulls on the leash constantly, you should try this for a month. Absolute gamechanger.
    via TheGreatGena
  • 20
    [deleted] Teach your dogs mannerisms you'd like them to have. Such as kindness, calmness, protection. My favorite is calmness or to relax. My doodle can be active, enjoy others (i encourage this) and play well. But he's named after Bob Marley and we must learn chill
    via TheGreatGena
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    Cheezburger Image 10656954368
    via Farmerka5
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    One-Sandwich5588 I dont have a yard, so we have to go for p walks 3-4 times daily. So far, the best advice has been, "Your dog has preferences on where they like to p, so pay attention and go there." This really saves time when the weather is bad or when I want to spend my day doing other things.
    via TheGreatGena
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    Cheezburger Image 10656955392
    via Farmerka5
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    Cheezburger Image 10656956160
    via Farmerka5

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