I'll see how we get on.....

In this blog we look at that age old adage 'we'll see how we get on.....' Training should be preventative, rather that reactive

I'll See How We Get On......

It's a phrase I hear often. People enquire about puppy training, but they delay structured training, or support, hoping to save time or money or thinking their puppy will “grow out” of certain behaviours. But when that cute puppy grows into an unruly adolescent, the reality of unaddressed issues sets in.

Behaviour problems don’t just appear overnight—they develop over time, often because they were unintentionally reinforced during puppyhood.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at why early training is essential, why the “wait and see” approach doesn’t work, and how committing to structured training at the beginning can save you and your dog stress, time, and money later.

Why Early Puppy Training Matters

The first few months of a puppy’s life are critical. Known as the socialisation period, this is when your puppy is most open to new experiences and learning how to navigate the world. What your puppy learns—or doesn’t learn—during this time lays the foundation for their behaviour as an adult.

Early training provides more than just obedience skills; it teaches puppies how to adapt, cope with new environments, and feel safe in a human world full of strange sights, sounds, and expectations. It also helps build a strong bond between you and your puppy based on trust and communication.

Early training isn’t about creating a perfect puppy overnight; it’s about preventing behaviours you don’t want from becoming ingrained habits.

Without structured training, puppies often create their own “rules” for how to behave. Chewing the table leg becomes their go-to stress reliever, barking at passers-by through the window, and pulling on the lead is how they explore the world. These behaviours aren’t 'naughty', they’re normal, but without guidance, your puppy won’t learn alternative behaviours that are more compatible with human life.

Early training helps puppies develop confidence, learn boundaries, and grow into well-adjusted adults. It’s a small investment now for a lifetime of harmony.

The Appeal of “I’ll See How We Get On” and Why It Doesn’t Work

It’s easy to put off training. Life gets busy, and those early days of puppyhood are often overwhelming. It might feel easier to wait and see if your puppy “settles” on their own. But here’s the truth: most behaviours don’t improve with time—they simply become habits or 'practised behaviours'.

Procrastination often stems from two common beliefs:

“My puppy is so young, we have plenty of time.” Puppies grow quickly, and behaviours that seem harmless now—like mouthing, jumping, or barking—can escalate as they age. The window for easy learning during the socialisation period closes faster than most people realise, often by 16 weeks of age.
“We don’t have serious problems yet, so we’ll wait.” Many puppy owners don’t see the value of training until issues become unmanageable. By the time adolescent behaviours like pulling on the lead, reactivity, or destructive chewing arise, they’ve often been “practiced” for months, making them harder to address.

Delaying training often creates more work in the long run. Committing early saves time, energy, and money later.

The Cost of Reacting Instead of Preventing

When training is postponed, you risk a variety of behaviour problems that could have been avoided with early guidance. Let’s look at some common scenarios:

Lead Pulling: Without training, puppies learn that pulling gets them where they want to go. By the time they’re a strong adolescent, walks become stressful, and retraining feels like an uphill battle.
Separation Anxiety: Puppies left without early independence training may struggle to cope when left alone, leading to barking, destruction, or distress that requires professional intervention later.
Reactivity: Without socialisation and appropriate structured exposure, puppies can grow into fearful or overexcited adults who bark, lunge, or struggle in public spaces.

The good news? These issues can often be prevented with early training that focuses on positive reinforcement, socialisation, and building confidence.

Beyond the behavioural benefits, early training also strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Training creates a language that helps your puppy understand what you’re asking of them, reducing frustration for both of you. Plus, it’s fun! Training provides mental stimulation that keeps your puppy happy and engaged, preventing boredom-related behaviours like chewing or digging.

Preventing behaviour problems through early training is far easier—and more enjoyable—than trying to fix ingrained issues later.

How to Commit to Early Puppy Training

If you’re ready to make the most of your puppy’s early development, here are some tips to help you commit:

Sign Up for a Puppy Class: A structured class offers professional guidance, controlled socialisation, and the chance to address common puppy challenges like mouthing, recall, and lead walking. Look for classes that use positive, force-free methods.
Start with Small, Consistent Sessions: Training doesn’t need to take hours every day. Short, 5-10 minute sessions that fit into your routine are more effective than overwhelming your puppy with long lessons.
Set Clear Goals: Focus on the behaviours you want to encourage—like sitting for greetings or walking calmly on a lead—rather than waiting to “fix” unwanted behaviours later.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward-based training motivates your puppy to learn. Use food rewards, praise, or play to reinforce behaviours you want to see.
Embrace Socialisation: Expose your puppy to a variety of suitable experiences, from meeting new people to walking on different surfaces. Positive socialisation prevents fear-based behaviours as your puppy grows. Remember all puppies are different, and appropriate socialisation for one puppy may be too much for another.

Commitment to early training doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Small, consistent efforts can have a big impact.

Conclusion: Don’t Wait—Start Now

When it comes to raising a puppy, the “I’ll see how we get on” mindset might feel tempting, but it often leads to frustration, extra effort, and preventable problems. By committing to early training, you’re giving your puppy the best chance to grow into a confident, well-behaved adult—and saving yourself time, money, and stress in the process.

Don’t wait until behaviours become a challenge. Take action now, and enjoy the rewards of a happy, harmonious life with your dog.

Ready to get started? Join a positive puppy training class today, or reach out for personalised guidance to help your puppy thrive. Prevention is always better than cure!