Observe or Confine: The Simple Strategy That Prevents Unwanted Behaviors
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By Justin Hall | Right Tree Dog Training Atlanta
The Freedom Trap
Most behavior problems start with too much freedom, too soon. Whether you’ve just brought home an energetic puppy or adopted an adult dog from the shelter, the key to avoiding problems isn’t more commands or corrections, it’s structure.
“Observe or Confine” is a simple rule that helps you prevent the majority of issues dog owners struggle with: chewing on things they shouldn't, potty accidents, counter surfing, and more. Your new puppy or dog should either be directly supervised or safely confined. There is no in-between. And if you follow this principle consistently, you’ll be amazed at the results.
This method is especially important in the early stages. For puppies, it should be maintained for at least the first 8 months of life. For newly adopted adult dogs, commit to at least 1 full month of this practice before gradually introducing more freedom. And remember: if your dog ever regresses or starts making poor choices again, you can always return to the Observe or Confine approach to reset expectations and reinforce good habits.
Your Dog Can’t Make Good Decisions (Yet)
You love your dog. But you shouldn’t trust them...not yet.
It’s unfair to expect your dog to make good choices when they haven’t been shown what those good choices are. They don’t automatically know not to chew your shoes, pee on the rug, or jump on your guests. That knowledge comes from clear, consistent guidance, and that starts with controlling their environment.
By limiting their opportunities to make mistakes, you give yourself the chance to teach, reward, and build trust. This principle is absolutely crucial when raising a puppy. Puppies are naturally curious and impulsive, and they learn by exploring. Without structure, they’ll explore the wrong things. But the same logic applies to newly adopted adult dogs. Even if they’ve lived in a home before, your home is brand new to them, and the rules aren’t clear until you make them clear.
Prevention is Better Than Punishment
You could spend your time correcting problems, or you could spend far less time preventing them.
Every time a dog rehearses a behavior, that behavior gets stronger. Let a dog continually bark out the window and it becomes their go-to response. If they jump on the counter multiple times and grab a tasty morsel, they’ll check it every time they can. The more times they practice it, the more the behavior becomes engrained.
“Observe or Confine” eliminates that rehearsal time.
When you catch bad choices early or avoid them entirely, you’re not just saving your couch, your baseboards, and your nerves. You’re shaping a dog who understands your expectations and feels calm and confident in their routine.
The Observe or Confine Rule
The rule is simple:
If your dog is not in their crate, they must be under your supervision on a leash
There is no safe “middle ground” where your dog wanders the house while you’re cooking, on a call, or checking your phone. Even two unsupervised minutes can result in a potty accident, chewed shoes, or a major setback in training.
Think of it like parenting a toddler. You don’t let them explore the house freely without watching because they’re still learning what’s safe, appropriate, and expected.
The Leash Rule
Unless your dog is crated, they should be wearing a leash in the house.
This is one of the most powerful yet underused training tools. The leash allows you to:
Interrupt undesirable behavior immediately
Guide them to the right behavior (e.g. place, settle, follow)
Prevent darting, jumping, and counter surfing before they happen
Reinforce calmness through light tethering or controlled movement
Use a lightweight 4–6 ft leash indoors, and simply let it drag. You’re not yanking or micromanaging. Just giving yourself a handle if they start making poor choices.
Confine When You Can’t Supervise
f you can’t watch them, crate them.
That means during:
Meals
Showers
Work calls
Quick errands
Bathroom breaks
Even short periods of unsupervised freedom can unravel your progress. Crating during these moments keeps your dog safe, your house intact, and your training consistent.
The crate is not a punishment, it’s a calm space where they can decompress, nap, or enjoy a chew toy. Especially for puppies, crate time helps prevent overstimulation and teaches patience. For new adult dogs, it provides predictability and security as they adjust to your home.
Putting It All Together
Let’s look at what a successful day looks like:
Adult Dog Schedule
Morning:
Potty break
Leash on, structured walk or short training/play session
Supervised indoor time (Observe)
Crate time while you get ready for the day (Confine)
Midday:
Potty break
Supervised enrichment or short obedience session
Leashed downtime with you or back in the crate while you work
Evening:
Walk or structured play
Observe time while the family unwinds (dog is leashed and calm)
Confine while eating dinner or doing chores
This structure isn’t forever. But it is essential during the early phase of training. Once your dog consistently makes good choices, you’ll start rewarding them with freedom they’ve earned. You should commit to this for at least 30 days for an adult dog.
Puppy Schedule
Puppies need significantly more rest—often up to 18 hours a day. They also need frequent potty breaks (usually every month of age equals how many hours they can hold it). Their day should revolve around short periods of activity and learning, followed by crate rest.
Example Puppy Routine:
Potty break
Short training/play session (5–10 min)
Supervised explore time (Observe)
Crate nap (1–2 hours)
Repeat
Throughout the day:
Take potty breaks after naps, meals, and play sessions
Use crate time to prevent overstimulation and teach calmness
Keep observe sessions brief and purposeful
Keep in mind that this structure should continue consistently through at least the first 8 months of a puppy’s life to build lasting habits. If you ever find your dog falling back into undesirable habits, simply return to this practice. It’s always there as your training safety net.
FAQs
“Isn’t this too restrictive?”
It might feel that way at first, especially if you're used to letting dogs have free roam. But freedom without guidance causes anxiety, not confidence. Dogs thrive when they understand the rules and boundaries. Over time, they earn more freedom as a result of your structure.
“What if my dog cries in the crate?”
That’s common at first. Make sure they’re getting enough exercise and engagement outside the crate. Offer a chew or stuffed toy. Stay calm and consistent don’t let whining earn them freedom. Here's another great tip that makes a hug difference in crate training CLICK ME
“When can I stop using the leash indoors?”
When your dog consistently ignores distractions, settles calmly, and listens to direction inside. Think of it like training wheels, you’ll remove it when they’ve proven they don’t need it.
“Can I use a playpen instead of a crate?”
For short periods, yes. But crates are better at promoting calm behavior and sleep. Pens often invite pacing, barking, or attempts to escape. Crates encourage rest.
Conclusion: Clarity Creates Confidence
Dogs don’t initially need endless freedom to be happy they need consistency, leadership, and structure. The “Observe or Confine” method is simple, effective, and transformative. It builds trust. It prevents problems. And it sets your dog up to thrive in your home, It may feel strict at first, but the payoff is worth it: a calm, well-behaved dog you can enjoy anywhere.
Start today. Be consistent. And give your dog the guidance they need to succeed.
If you would like some more help getting a new puppy off to the right start or welcoming a new dog into your home, please get in touch with us! We would love to help you and your newest family member:
or
Email us info@righttreek9.com
