It's been a great day. Your puppy has been an angel. And then out of nowhere, your puppy flips a switch.
The biting gets more intense. They stop responding to you. They're lunging, they're frantic, and for a second, you actually wonder if something is wrong with them. Or with you.
This is puppy witching hour. And for something that feels so wrong, it's actually quite normal.
You may have noticed that it usually hits in the evening, right when you're tired, and your patience is running low.
And if your puppy had a full, active day, that might actually be exactly why it's happening.
This is not a sign that your puppy is aggressive, out of control, or that you're doing something wrong. This is a normal developmental phase, and once you understand what's driving it, you'll know exactly what to do and what not to.
In this episode, I talk about:
- What puppy witching hour actually looks like and why it's so disorienting
- Why overstimulation and exhaustion trigger this kind of frantic behavior
- The toddler tantrum connection and what it tells us about puppy emotional development
- Why this is NOT the moment to discipline, redirect, or try and teach your puppy anything
- What your puppy actually needs in these moments (hint: it's not more exercise)
- How the habits you're building outside of these episodes will make them less frequent over time
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Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:
Your New Puppy's Podcast: YNP #046: Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still be Struggling
Your New Puppy's Podcast: YNP #078: Games to Play With a Nipping Puppy
Your New Puppy's Podcast: YNP #060: Kids and Puppies
YOUR Perfect Puppy: If you’re looking for ongoing guidance with situations like this, this episode is also a great example of the kind of real-life problem-solving we do inside YOUR Perfect Puppy, where I help you turn everyday chaos into manageable routines that work for your household.
What's Next?
Feeling a little unsure about what to do with your new puppy? You’re not alone!
You’re just a human trying to raise a dog.
That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy.
And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up.
Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy. I'd love to support you through this journey.
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