Did you know…

Dogs can recognize over ___ human facial expressions.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Bringing home a new puppy feels like signing up for years of joy, chaos, and tiny teeth marks on your shoelaces. But early training is where everything really starts to click. It’s how puppies learn the world is safe, predictable, and full of good things, especially when they make the right choices. The more positive experiences they have early on, the more confident they’ll be exploring your home, meeting new people, and tagging along on future adventures.

Training also lays the groundwork for trust. When you spend a few minutes each day teaching simple cues, your puppy isn’t just learning “sit” or “stay”. They’re learning how to rely on you. And that bond becomes the foundation for everything else: staying safe outside, handling vet visits, navigating busy sidewalks, even learning how to settle at home without getting into trouble.

And yes, it makes life easier for both of you. A puppy who understands boundaries, can focus, and feels secure is far less likely to chew the couch or dash toward a squirrel without warning. Training won’t prevent every puppy mishap, but it gives them the tools and the confidence to grow into a dog who can take on the world with you.

Those first puppy months can be exciting, but are also unexpectedly chaotic. From unpredictable potty habits to sudden barking and stubborn leash pulling, the puppy phase can test anyone’s patience.

Zigzag, the #1 rated puppy training app, makes those early months easier with:

• Bite-size lessons tailored to your puppy’s breed, age & personality

• Trusted, science-based training created by expert behaviourists

• 24/7 access to expert dog trainers/behaviourists for personalised advice

• Ziggy, your dedicated AI K9 consultant, always available when you need support

• Completely FREE to download and start using - with optional premium features if you want extra help

Download Zigzag for FREE today, and start your journey to puppy happiness.

Thank you to Zigzag for sponsoring Daily Dig.

Meet today’s dog of the day, Zeus! This majestic German Shepherd is the picture of loyalty and smarts, and we wouldn’t want to challenge him in a staring contest either.

Thank you to one of our Daily Dig readers for sharing Zeus with us. Want your dog featured next? Send us a photo, their name, and a few lines about your dog for a chance to be in an upcoming edition of The Daily Dig.

Teaching your dog a new cue can feel like magic one minute and chaos the next, and it turns out that sleep may be a reason why. Researchers found that dogs learn new cues more effectively when they nap afterward, especially after a deeper, longer stretch of sleep. It’s similar to the way humans “sleep on” new information, letting the brain file it away so it sticks.

Dogs in the study who snoozed after training performed their new cues better a week later than dogs who played, walked, or kept training. Even trainers say they see this every day: mental work can wear a dog out faster than a long walk, and that tired brain needs quiet time to settle and store what it learned.

If your dog seems checked out or overwhelmed during training, it’s okay to pause. Keep sessions to five or ten minutes, avoid stacking too many cues at once, and choose calm, familiar spaces. A little rest, especially a nap, can do more for learning than pushing through another round of “sit.”

From tiny dreamers to surprising truths, here’s what’s making tails wag:

• 🐶 Free online training personalized for your puppy

• 💤 Shih-tzu puppy has the sweetest happy dreams

• 🤔 4 common dog behaviors we often misread

Those first puppy months can be exciting, but are also unexpectedly chaotic. Zigzag, the #1 rated puppy training app, makes those early months easier.

Download Zigzag for FREE today, and start your journey to puppy happiness.

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: Dogs can recognize over 100 human facial expressions.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! Reply to this email with the best pictures of your dog. Be sure to include their name and a short description so they can be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🥰 Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your dog’s favorite trick for a surprise in your inbox!

Welcome to Daily Dig! We’re a small team of dog lovers who strive to bring a pawsitive dose of pup content to your inbox every morning. Join our pack of over 180,000 paw pals when you subscribe today!