Carrie's Canines on puppy blues, biting & bonding: what new puppy parents really need to know

Puppyhood is magical, exhausting, and nothing like the Instagram version this episode is the honest conversation every new puppy parent needs.In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy talks with Carrie of Carrie's Canines and Friends, a dog trainer with a decade of experience helping first-time puppy parents navigate the toughest early months. Carrie draws on her own journey - including raising a reactive dog - to unpack sleep deprivation, biting, puppy blues, and why building relationship and bond matters more than quick obedience wins. If you're in the thick of puppyhood (or preparing for it), this one will make you feel a lot less alone.In this episode:✅ Why "puppy blues" are completely normal and why even experienced trainers feel them✅ The real reason your puppy is nipping, jumping, or biting (hint: it's rarely about defiance)✅ How much sleep puppies actually need, and why overtiredness fuels bad behaviour✅ Why your puppy isn't a "blank slate" and how genetics and breeding shape who they become✅ How to build the relationship and bond that makes recall, lead work, and everything else easier✅ What socialisation really means (it's not meeting every dog and every person)✅ Why asking before letting your puppy be petted by strangers matters✅ How to set your puppy up for the life you actually want to live with them, pub trips, cottages, and allKey takeaways:• Puppy blues are a normal part of the adjustment and it's okay to find it hard, even when you love your puppy• Don't take water away before bed to manage toilet training; work through the overnight stage humanely instead• Hold off on expensive toys and beds early on as they're likely to be chewed before your puppy grows into them• Prioritise relationship and bond above obedience and the rest follows more easily once that's in place• Socialisation is about calm, positive exposure to the world in short bursts, not overwhelming your puppy with every dog and person you meet• Training doesn't end after a six-week puppy course - it continues for lifeCarries Canines websiteCarrie's Canines & Friends Facebook page🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk