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Every time I think I’ve seen my fair share of cute puppies, along comes another ready to blow everyone else out of the proverbial water. They seem to hit their stride in both adorable looks and curiosity once they reach ages 6 to 12 months because the universe knew they’d have to balance the chaos with cuteness, so we forget all the naughty things they do.
One such pup is Button, an 11-month-old Pit Bull–Boxer mix who was recently gifted his first taste of freedom. His very first experience out of a crate alone proved to be an interesting dissection of the best places to sit, stand, and lay—and they did not disappoint!
It looks like little buddy had a good yet confusing time, but the good news is he didn’t get into any trouble (except standing on the table, because parkour!). A perfect gentleman who follows the rules, Button couldn’t be any more precious while exploring. He did a whole lot better than my sassy Corgi did when she was small, so kudos!
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Mom did explain the curious pup “had to be rescued from the table” and she removed things from the room he might destroy, but I’m sure Button standing on the table wasn’t on her 2026 Bingo card! It’s a good thing he’s so cute, right, Mom?!
He’s also a fast-growing boy. Depending on the breed, some puppies do the majority of their growing during the first 6 to 18 months of life. Already, Button has doubled in size.
Tips for Your Pup’s First Taste of Freedom
One of the first things I learned when leaving my puppy out of the crate was to take it slow and gradually build up their “freedom” time before venturing out for a few hours. It’s not clear what Button’s mom’s process was, but he can still be trained from where he’s at now.
Experts recommend first wearing them out with exercise so they’re too tired to get into trouble. You also want to make sure they’re calm when you leave and don’t make a big deal out of coming and going. Leaving them with a high-value toy or treat they only get when you leave can help, but there are some pups who aren’t interested, so it takes a little trial and error.
With patience, consistency, and a whole lot of praise (and treats!), I’m sure Button will grow bored with his parkour ways in no time flat!
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.