4. Common Puppy Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

Most people who give up their dogs didn't plan to. They made preventable mistakes before they even brought their puppy home. Here are the six biggest ones.

Mistake #1: Choosing With Their Heart, Not Their Head

That puppy in the window is adorable. But is it right for your life?

The cute puppy might be a high-energy breed that needs 3 hours of exercise daily. The rescue might have anxiety issues you're not equipped to handle.

Choose based on fit, not just feelings.

Think about your actual lifestyle. How much time do you have? What's your energy level? What's your experience with dogs?

A Cocker Spaniel and a Border Collie might both be cute, but they need very different things from their owners.

Mistake #2: Underestimating The First 3 Months

People think "I'll hire a trainer if needed."

But you can't outsource the first 12 weeks. You are the trainer. You are doing the 2am toilet breaks. You are cleaning up accidents.

If you can't commit to this intensity, wait.

The first 3 months determine everything. This is when socialisation happens. When toilet training happens. When your puppy learns what behaviour is acceptable.

Miss this window, and you'll spend years trying to fix problems that could have been prevented.

Mistake #3: Not Having A Financial Safety Net

Most people budget for food and vet checks.

But what about the £2,000 emergency surgery? The behaviourist for separation anxiety? The damaged carpet?

Have a cushion or pet insurance from day one.

Financial problems are the number one reason dogs end up in shelters. Not because owners didn't love their dog. Because they couldn't afford them.

Mistake #4: Spending Their Entire Budget On The Puppy

If it's not obvious why this is a bad idea, I don't know where to start.

This is way more common than you'd think. People spend £4,500 on a trendy puppy from a backyard breeder, then won't pay £150 for flea and tick treatments.

The puppy is your smallest expense. Everything that comes after is what actually costs money.

Not sure if you've budgeted properly? Our community has financial calculators and real owners sharing what they actually spend. You'll also find advice on where you can save money and where you absolutely can't cut corners.

Mistake #5: Skipping Puppy School

Here's what you need to understand: if you don't successfully socialise your dog before 16 weeks, you will have a dog with terrible behavioural issues.

Just because you got a Cavapoo or a cute doodle doesn't mean they won't develop problems. In fact, these dogs tend to be some of the worst behaved adults we work with.

You need proper puppy school for socialisation. You need to learn how to identify problem behaviours before they become problems.

This isn't optional. It's critical.

Mistake #6: Thinking All Trainers Are A Waste Of Money

This isn't necessarily a mistake, but it's a trade-off you should understand.

You can get a trainer to help you prepare your puppy, or you can get a trainer to help you repair your dog later.

Prevention is cheaper, faster, and less stressful than correction.

The Pattern Nobody Talks About

Notice what all these mistakes have in common? They happen before you get the puppy.

By the time people realise they've made these mistakes, they're already struggling. Their puppy is already developing problem behaviours. They're already overwhelmed and exhausted.

The solution? Address these issues now, before you commit.

Get Ongoing Support For Your Puppy Journey

Avoiding these mistakes is just the beginning. Having support throughout your puppy's first year makes all the difference.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific concerns and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Complete puppy courses covering everything from choosing the right breed to surviving the first 3 months
• A supportive community of other puppy owners who understand the challenges
• Financial calculators and lifestyle quizzes to help you prepare properly
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources including breed selection guides and trainer recommendations

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to avoid these common mistakes and raise a happy, well-adjusted puppy.