Choosing the right puppy is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a dog owner—and the step that most people rush through during the excitement of the holidays. A great match supports your lifestyle, energy level, training goals, and family dynamic. A poor match can lead to stress, frustration, and long-term behavior issues.

Before bringing home a holiday puppy, ask yourself whether the Christmas season is the right moment. Puppies need consistency, a calm environment, and strong leadership from day one.

Here’s some factors to consider.

We talk a lot about calmness and confidence. Why? Because these two qualities are absolutely essential for effective dog leadership and training.

Dogs are incredibly sensitive to energy. They won’t follow an unstable or emotionally reactive leader. Whether you're showing anger, frustration, nervousness, fake enthusiasm, or aggression — your dog will sense that inconsistency. You might be able to get short bursts of obedience through treats or commands (we call this bribery), but you won’t build true trust, respect, or a deep desire to follow.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we believe that successful obedience training starts long before you teach your dog a command. It begins with you—specifically, your energy, emotions, and attitude.

At the heart of effective dog training lies one essential element: the relationship between you and your dog. True training success begins not with commands or treats, but with understanding—understanding your dog’s instincts, psychology, and unique motivations, and responding to them in a way that builds trust and respect.