Why You Shouldn’t Delay Training Your Dog’s Behavior

A common sentiment among dog owners is, “I thought my dog would grow out of it.”

It's easy to see why. Puppies are often playful, impulsive, and bursting with energy. Behaviors such as jumping, pulling on the leash, barking, or mild reactivity, which typically emerge between five months and a year old, can seem like harmless phases.

However, the reality is that most dogs don’t outgrow these behaviors—they grow into them.

When “Just a Phase” Becomes a Habit

I frequently observe behaviors taking root between five months and a year old. This is when dogs begin testing limits, gaining confidence, and forming habits, whether they’re beneficial or not.

Initially, minor growling, leash pulling, or ignoring commands might not appear serious. Perhaps it only occurs in specific situations or is easy to redirect at the moment.

Over time, though, these behaviors become ingrained. Each time your dog practices a behavior, such as lunging during walks, barking at strangers, or guarding toys, it gets reinforced.

For instance, if your dog growls over a bone and you step back, they learn that growling is effective. If they pull towards another dog and you keep moving, they learn that pulling gets them closer.

Though unintentional, these small moments create a pattern. Once this pattern is consistently reinforced, it becomes much more challenging to change.

Why Early Training is Important

Training isn’t just about obedience or teaching tricks. It’s about communication, trust, and prevention.

Starting early lets you shape your dog’s mindset before unwanted habits take hold. It teaches them how to navigate the world with confidence, manage excitement or frustration, and look to you for guidance rather than reacting impulsively.

Addressing problem behaviors as soon as you spot them means you’re not just correcting; you’re redirecting. You’re showing your dog what to do instead of what not to do.

While we can't control all aspects of our dogs’ personalities or instincts, we can control our responses and what behaviors we allow to continue. The earlier we step in, the faster and more positively our dogs learn.

The Cost of Waiting

Many people don’t recognize there’s an issue until it escalates—when growling turns into snapping or lunging becomes biting. By then, the dog may have spent months or even years practicing that behavior. It’s not impossible to correct, but it takes considerably more time and consistency.

The good news is you don’t have to let it reach that point.

If your dog begins showing signs of reactivity, resource guarding, fear, or even stubbornness, that’s the ideal time to start training, not when it becomes a severe problem. Early intervention saves time, stress, and money, and it can also strengthen your bond with your dog.

In Short: Don’t Wait, Start Now

Your dog is always learning, whether or not you’re actively training them. The question is: what are they learning?

If we don’t guide them, they’ll make their own interpretations, and those lessons might not be what we’d prefer.

So, don’t wait until your dog’s behavior worsens or crosses a line. The best time to start training is when you first notice any undesirable behavior. The sooner you begin, the sooner you and your dog can get on the right track.