Our sweet Cockapoo, Pepper, is turning one this month and let me tell you, he’s been spicing up our lives since day one! He’s full of energy, joy, and just enough mischief to keep us on our toes. Watching him grow has been a total delight, and along the way, we’ve learned a few things about raising a happy, well-behaved pup.

If you’re a new puppy parent or thinking about becoming one, here are a few simple tips that helped us teach Pepper the basics—and kept our sanity intact!

Training can be easy and fun. We kept it short, sweet, and consistent. Here are a few tips:

• Sit: Hold a treat just above your pup’s nose and slowly move it back toward their ears. As their nose follows the treat, their bottom naturally goes down. The moment they sit—praise and reward!

• Stay: Once your pup knows “sit,” hold your hand out like a stop sign and say “stay.” Take a small step back, and if they stay put, reward them. Slowly build up distance and time.

• Come: Use an excited, happy voice and say “come” while gently tugging the leash or showing a treat. Celebrate big when they arrive!

Keep sessions short and always end on a high note. Puppies have short attention spans—kind of

Pepper may be cute, but that doesn’t mean he runs the house (though he tries!). It’s important to set boundaries early. Puppies actually feel more secure when they know the rules. Being firm doesn’t mean being harsh—it just means being consistent. If "no" means "no," stick to your guns when they give you those big puppy eyes!

All puppies need to play and some breeds like Pepper need more activities to keep them out of trouble. It’s how they learn and burn off that never-ending energy. We invested in a simple playpen, and it’s been a game changer. He has his toys, cozy bedding, and food all in one safe space. It gives him room to roam while keeping our shoes and furniture safe from those sharp little teeth. We got one with an easy-to-clean floor that had plenty of room to play with his toys and walk around. Very quickly, it became his favorite place – a sanctuary for both him and us!! Here’s the one we got: https://amzn.to/42zC2lI

Even with the playpen, daily exercise is a must (for Pepper and us!!). A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. Walks, games of fetch, or zoomies in the backyard help prevent boredom (and the chaos that comes with it). Bored pups get creative—and not in a good way!

With a little structure, a lot of play, some good old-fashioned walks, and lots of consistency and patience, your pup can thrive too.

Pepper may only be a year old, but he’s already taught us so much about patience, joy, and unconditional love.

If you’re a dog lover like us, may your days be filled with lots of tail wags, furry cuddles, and puppy kisses!

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