Welcoming a new puppy into your home is pure joy — until they bolt through open doors, hide under furniture, or start chewing expensive couch legs like they’re chew toys. Fortunately, you don’t need harsh corrections or complicated commands to teach good behavior. With the right tools and a simple technique called redirection, you can guide your puppy toward great habits from day one.

🎯 Step One: Gear Up Early

Start with a well-fitting collar and attach a lightweight leash as soon as your puppy comes home. Let them drag the leash around as they explore (under your supervision, of course). It may look funny at first, but it’s incredibly useful — the leash becomes your steering wheel while they learn the house rules. Be careful when picking out a collar, some collars come unbuckled easily. The plastic buckles can sometimes unbuckle or break easily. I usually like default to this style of collar. The same goes for the leash, try to stay away from plastic clips or easy-connect style leashes that can break connection easily. When they are puppies a smaller leash is what you want. When we get into different types of training, longer leashes are necessary, but for now a short leash works well for in the house.

Leaving the leash on the new pup in the house:

• Prevent door dashes when someone opens an exit

• Stop them from sneaking under beds or furniture

• Gently lead them away from trouble without chasing them

• Respond instantly when a correction is needed

• Teach boundaries (if you want to keep them in one room vs roaming)

🔁 Step Two: Master the Art of Redirection

Puppies don’t naturally know what behaviors are okay — they just act on instinct. Instead of yelling or punishing, focus on redirecting them toward behaviors you do want.

• Chewing the couch? Remove them using the leash and hand them a chew toy instead, remember we want positive reinforcement. Pulling them away and saying "No" is all we are looking for. Give them a chew toy and then praise them for chewing on it. Likewise, if they are chewing on a toy, praise them and make a big deal out of them chewing on the correct item. (positive reinforcement)

• Sniffing the trash can? Guide them away and redirect their focus to a ball or rope

• About to bolt outside? Step on the leash to stop momentum and redirect their attention

With repetition, they learn: “Do this, not that.” Redirection teaches them what to do rather than just punishing what not to do — and dogs learn faster (and happier!) that way.

🚫 Why Punishment Alone Doesn’t Work

Correcting a puppy without showing them the right behavior leads to confusion. If you yell at them for chewing the couch and walk away, they only learn to fear being caught — not what they should chew instead. Redirection bridges that gap by immediately giving them a “yes” behavior to replace the “no.” This is why it's good to have lots of chew toys on hand, the faster you can redirect the better.

📅 Step Three: Be Fast and Consistent

The beauty of leaving the leash attached is that it helps you correct in the moment — not 30 seconds later when the opportunity is gone. The quicker the redirection, the quicker your puppy connects the dots. Over time, they naturally choose good behaviors because they’ve been consistently guided into them.

✅ Conclusion: Redirect Now, Enjoy a Well-Behaved Dog Later

Training a puppy doesn’t have to be chaotic or frustrating. With a collar, a leash, and a commitment to gentle redirection, you can shape their habits without scolding or stress. Every time you stop unwanted behavior and immediately guide your puppy to a better option, you’re building trust, confidence, and lifelong manners. Stick with it — the polite, obedient dog on the other side of puppyhood is absolutely worth it.

Leash, Redirect, Repeat: The Smart Way to Teach Puppies Good Behavior