Internet puppy advice, rated
Is that puppy advice true?
By Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM
The short answer
- A lot of puppy advice online started from a real worry, then drifted. The worry is usually fair. The fix often isn't.
- Good advice tends to come from veterinary groups, vet schools and your own vet, and it rarely promises a cure-all.
- Watch out for tips that skip the vet, sell you something, or tell you to be the boss.
- When two sources disagree, ask your vet. That's what they're there for.
The game
Tank's BS-meter
Claim 1 of 10 · Score 0
The internet says:
"Bite him back so he knows how it feels."
Tank lives next door and has opinions. 0 means mostly true. 10 means hold onto your wallet.Questions I get every day
How do I know if puppy advice online is true?
Ask who's saying it and what they're basing it on. Good advice usually comes from a veterinary group, a vet school or your own vet, and it rarely promises a cure-all. If a tip skips the vet, sells you something, or sounds like the dog's "in charge," be careful. When in doubt, ask your vet.
Does a warm, dry nose mean my puppy is sick?
No. A dog's nose changes temperature and wetness all day, after naps, by a heater or after a drink. It isn't a thermometer. Watch the whole puppy instead: his energy, his appetite, his poop and his breathing. If something's off, call your vet.
Do I need to be the alpha with my puppy?
No. Veterinary behavior experts recommend reward-based training only, because punishment can make fear and aggression worse. Most behavior that gets called dominance is a puppy who's scared, in pain, overexcited or still learning the rules.
Should my puppy stay inside until he's 6 months old?
No. His socialization window starts closing around 12 to 14 weeks, long before 6 months. Carry him, use a stroller, visit healthy vaccinated dogs and go to a well-run puppy class. Skip dog parks until 4 or 5 days after his last puppy shot.
Where this comes from
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). Humane Dog Training Position Statement, 2021, and Position Statement on Puppy Socialization, 2008.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Top 10 toxins for dogs, 2025.
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). 2019 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). General Guidelines, 2025.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Canine parvovirus infection, 2025.
- Basco AN, McCormack ER, Basco WT Jr. Public Health Reports. 2020;135(2):238-244.
General education, not veterinary advice. Your vet's plan for your puppy comes first.