Preventing Puppy Problems to prepare them for Adulthood
Combatting the Top 5 Negative Behaviors: Tips For Puppy Parents
1. Chewing Everything in Sight: Puppies love to explore the world with their mouths, which often leads to them gnawing on furniture, shoes, and anything else within reach.
• To curb this behavior, provide plenty of appropriate chew toys and redirect their attention whenever they start to nibble on something off-limits.
2. Excessive Barking: While barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, incessant barking can quickly become a nuisance.
• Start by identifying the triggers for your puppy’s barking, whether it’s boredom, excitement, or fear, and address them accordingly. Additionally, consider enrolling your pup in obedience training to learn commands like “leave.”
3. Jumping Up on People: It’s adorable when a tiny puppy excitedly jumps up to greet you, but it becomes less endearing as they grow older and larger.
• Teach your puppy to greet people politely by ignoring them when they jump and rewarding them when they keep all four paws on the ground. Consistency is key in reinforcing this behavior.
4. Separation Anxiety: Puppies form strong attachments to their human caregivers and can experience anxiety when left alone.
• To prevent separation anxiety from developing, gradually accustom your puppy to spending short periods alone, provide them with comforting toys or blankets, and establish a consistent routine to help them feel secure.
5. House-Soiling Accidents: Accidents are to be expected during the house-training process, but consistent accidents could indicate a problem.
• Establish a regular bathroom schedule, supervise your puppy closely indoors, and use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to encourage proper elimination outside. Do not use puppy pads as this encourages inside house use as opposed to getting them used to going outside from the start.
