Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience, but it can also be very challenging. Puppies require a lot of attention and training to ensure they grow into well-behaved adult dogs. Here are five puppy behaviors to nip in the bud early:
1. Chewing:
Puppies love to chew on anything they can get their teeth on. Similarly to humans, puppies go through a teething phase where chewing helps to relieve discomfort as their adult teeth come in. While chewing related to tooth discomfort may be natural and ultimately end, chewing as a result of boredom or exploration is a habit to redirect immediately. To prevent destructive chewing, provide your puppy with plenty of chew toys and supervise them closely. If your puppy starts to chew on something they shouldn’t, redirect their attention to a chew toy instead. You’ll also want to ensure your puppy has had enough exercise – whether from a walk or play time in the back yard a tired puppy is less prone to chewing on things they aren’t supposed to.
2. Biting:
Puppies also love to bite, and while it may be cute when they’re small, it can become a problem as they grow older. To discourage biting, teach your puppy bite inhibition by yelping or saying “ouch” in a high-pitched tone when they bite too hard. You may even ignore then for 20 seconds to let them know that biting is not ok. The goal is to encourage playfulness but discourage rough play. If saying “ow” is not enough you can consider putting them in their crate. This must be done gently and without harsh words. A crate should always be viewed as a safe space for your dog and a calming environment, never a punishment. By leading them gently to their crate in a calm manor they can take a moment to calm down from the aggressive play.
3. Jumping:
Puppies love to jump up to greet their owners, but this behavior can become problematic as they get older and larger. To prevent jumping, ignore your puppy when they jump up and only give them attention when they have all four paws on the ground. You can also train your puppy to sit or stay when greeting people instead. Consider adding a dog bed that your puppy can associate as their “Place”. Whenever company arrives or your puppy needs to wait in a certain spot you can use the command “Place” and they should return to the bed or mat that you’ve designated as place.
4. Separation Anxiety:
Puppies can become anxious and upset when left alone, which can lead to destructive behavior and excessive barking. To prevent separation anxiety, gradually introduce your puppy to being alone for short periods of time and provide them with plenty of toys and comfort items, such as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. Bored puppies with separation anxiety are a recipe for chewing, digging, and are more prone to accidents. By tiring them out before you leave you may help to lessen their separation anxiety and leave a tired puppy who is ready for a nap.
5. Housebreaking:
Potty training can be one of the most challenging aspects of owning a puppy. To prevent accidents, establish a consistent routine and take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals and naps. Praise your puppy when they go potty outside and never punish them for accidents inside. Work long hours during the week or just need someone to help let your puppy out to potty and keep to their new routine? Peak City Puppy offers a new puppy service to help with exactly this!
There are several puppy behaviors that should be addressed early on to prevent them from becoming problematic later on. Chewing, biting, jumping, separation anxiety, and housebreaking are all behaviors that can be addressed through consistent training and positive reinforcement. With patience and dedication, you can raise a well-behaved and happy puppy. Next check out our article on Potty Training your Pet.
