Most people know that adopting a new puppy isn’t going to be a walk in the park. At such a young age and in a completely new location without their mom, puppies tend to act out and misbehave in potentially dangerous ways if not addressed before they mature. While some behaviors are harmless, there are still many that every dog owner should prioritize fixing to ensure their future life with their pet is smooth sailing. Tackling a puppy’s behavioral issues early on is the best way to ensure their health and happiness as they grow.
Addressing Puppy Behavioral Issues Early
Biting – Some puppies love to bite, and at a young age, it can be mostly harmless. However, especially with larger breeds, this behavior can result in expensive mistakes and severe injuries when your dog comes of age.
The ASPCA recommends that puppy owners teach their dogs in the same way that young puppies learn together when playing. When puppies playfight, biting too hard will injure their playmate and stop the fun. Over time, puppies usually understand that less-aggressive bites are the way to go when interacting with friends. When you play with your puppy, react with exaggerated sounds and movements anytime your dog bites too hard. Depending on their reaction, you may need to take a time out or move away from your dog to let the message sink in.
Chewing – Similar to biting, a puppy probably won’t know the damage their teeth can do to furniture and other things in your house. If you ever find your young pup chewing on something they shouldn’t be near, make a point to take them away from the area and provide them with something else to chew, like a chew toy or bone. If your dog is in the mood to chew something, an immediate new opportunity to chomp on a tasty treat should help build habits in their brain about what is allowed and what isn’t.
Whining / Begging – A loud, whining dog is not a welcome guest in most households, but dog owners can fix this behavior before it gets out of hand. Dogs usually whine when they are in pain, stressed, or powering through internal injuries – which is okay. Whining in this context is one of the only ways your dog can alert you of a potential problem. However, whining in order to get extra treats or food from the dinner table is not desirable.
First, identify why your dog is whining. Usually, if they are not lethargic and have no apparent changes in their personality or behavior, you can rule out injuries. If so, your dog is probably just trying to get your attention when they are bored.
To stop your dog from whining for attention, make an effort to ignore their pleas instead of scolding them or addressing them. Similar to cats that have evolved to meow toward humans, dogs have learned that barks and whines are an effective way to grab their owner’s attention. If they whine excessively but eventually stop without intervention, reward them with treats and attention. Make sure not to immediately interact with them, which might create an association in their mind with their recent vocalizations.
Some puppies don’t take well to any type of behavioral improvement until they go through a training program with their owner. If you are interested in a comprehensive obedience and behavior training program for your dog, contact Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training today.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training provides professional training services to dog owners in Sarasota and Bradenton. Whether puppy or mature dog, we can help with obedience training and playcare. Call us today for more information.
