Puppies are constantly communicating — mostly with their body rather than their voice. Learning to read those signals is the fastest route to a calmer household.
Quick answer: key takeaways
- Watch the whole body: ears, tail, weight, mouth and eyes together.
- Good dog-dog play is loose, wobbly and pauses often.
- Give your puppy the choice to leave any interaction.
- Predictable household interactions reduce conflict and over-arousal.
1. Learn to read the signals
- Loose, wiggly body and soft eyes: comfortable.
- Lip licking, yawning, turning away: ‘I need a bit of space’.
- Stiff body, closed mouth, hard stare: stop the interaction now.
- Tucked tail and lowered body: worried, not naughty.
2. Understand what good play looks like
Healthy play swaps roles, has natural pauses and both dogs return for more when separated. Continuous chasing, pinning or one dog trying to escape means it is time to step in calmly.
3. Manage interactions with people
Ask visitors to ignore your puppy on arrival and let the puppy approach. Children should stroke the chest or shoulder rather than the head, sitting down, with an adult present.
4. Structure household interactions
- Feed pets separately and in peace.
- Give every animal an area the others cannot reach.
- Keep greetings at the door low-key and brief.
5. Always leave a way out
A puppy who can walk away rarely needs to escalate. Choice is the most underrated tool in social behaviour.
What is normal, and when to seek help
- Brief squabbles that resolve instantly can be normal between dogs who know each other.
- Repeated tension, guarding, or any incident that leaves a mark needs professional support from a vet and a qualified behaviourist.
Week 1 Puppy Settle-In Guide
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