Expert Warns New Dog Owners: “You Must Follow This Key Rule From Day One”

Bringing a new puppy home is one of the most exciting experiences a person can have, and it is easy to get completely swept up in the joy of it all. Those first hours and days feel like a honeymoon, and every instinct tells you to cuddle your new furry companion nonstop. But according to Will Atherton, a leading clinical dog behaviorist with close to a million followers on TikTok, that instinct could actually be setting your dog up for long-term struggles. There is one rule, he says, that every new dog owner needs to commit to right from the very start.

That rule is teaching your puppy how to be comfortable and calm when left alone. It sounds simple, but it is something that a surprising number of new owners overlook entirely in those early weeks. The problem is that when a dog never learns to spend time by itself, it never develops the emotional tools to cope with solitude. Over time, that gap becomes separation anxiety, a condition that is genuinely distressing for both dogs and their owners.

Will Atherton has been vocal about the fact that separation anxiety does not appear out of nowhere. It develops gradually when dogs are never shown how to settle, self-soothe, and feel safe without their owner present. The mistake he sees most often is new owners waiting too long to introduce independent time, thinking the puppy needs to “settle in” first. According to Will, those first 24 hours with your puppy matter far more than most people realize.

The good news is that you do not need to do anything dramatic to get started. Encouraging your dog to sleep on its own or leaving the house for a short errand are perfectly valid ways to begin building that independence. The point is simply to make alone time feel normal and routine rather than something unusual or stressful. Will put it plainly when he said that it is completely fine to teach dogs to spend time on their own, but that you need a plan and you need to follow through with it.

@iamwillatherton One of the biggest mistakes I see new puppy owners make? 💥 Waiting too long to start teaching their dog how to be calm and comfortable on their own. Separation anxiety doesn’t come out of nowhere – it builds when we don’t show our dogs how to settle, self-soothe, and feel safe without us there. That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to start from day one. Not week two. Not once they’ve “settled in.” The first 24 hours with your puppy matter more than you think. Create calm routines. Build independence early. And make being alone feel normal – not scary. If you want help getting it right, we cover this inside our free Principles of Perfect Puppy Training course. It’s free, simple, and proven to work. ✅ Link’s in bio to join now and start your journey the right way. #puppytraining #separationanxiety #puppytips #dogtrainer ♬ original sound – Will Atherton (MSc)

When this approach is applied consistently from the beginning, the payoff is significant. A dog that learns early on how to be alone tends to grow into a calm, well-adjusted, and relaxed companion. It becomes a pet that can handle the realities of everyday life, like you having to go to work or run errands, without falling apart. That kind of emotional stability is one of the greatest gifts you can give an animal.

Of course, not everyone discovers this advice with a brand-new puppy in their arms. If you have an older dog that was never taught to be independent, all is not lost. Older dogs can absolutely learn new behaviors, though it does tend to require more patience and a more gradual approach. Seeking guidance from a qualified behaviorist and committing to a consistent routine can still make a real difference, no matter how old the dog is.

The takeaway here is that responsible dog ownership starts the moment your pet walks through the door. Every decision you make in those earliest days lays the groundwork for the kind of dog your companion will grow up to be. Building independence early is not about being cold or withholding affection, it is about setting your dog up to thrive in the real world. A dog that knows how to be alone is a happier, healthier dog overall.

If you have experience teaching your dog to be independent, or if you are currently navigating separation anxiety with your pup, share your thoughts and tips in the comments.