Puppy is known for its insatiable curiosity about everything. Their rambunctiousness is adorable, but some of their puppy behaviour…not so much. The first year in a puppy’s life can be a period of rapid growth and learning. Effective training is crucial to making your dog a great pet.

4 Puppy Behavior Problems You Can Change

No puppy can be perfect. Consider how a toddler responds to the world around him. Puppies chew, bite, and have accidents as part of their social and physical development. Early puppy behaviour is essential for them to learn how to maintain order within their pack, hunt and scavenge, and develop social skills. These skills are necessary for the wild. But not when it comes down to your rug, shoes, or skin.

Play-biting/Chewing

Many puppies would nibble, especially if they were raised to hunt. While this behaviour can be fine when the puppies play-bite one another, it can cause them to turn on you or your feet if they don’t have any playmates. Teething can also lead to chewing.

You can redirect the behaviour by saying “ouch!” each time your puppy tries to bite. If they keep going, you can get up and run away. It is best to give your dog lots of chew toys. If your puppy picks up something that isn’t allowed, you can swap it with a suitable toy.

Jumping up

Soon, your puppy will be able to jump up on you to get your attention. Strangers, children, and seniors are not often tolerant of their rowdiness. Some people find the excitement in your puppy’s return home charming. However, it can become a problem if they start jumping up on their laps and panting.

You can discourage them from doing this by playing down your presence whenever you visit the house. If they are jumping up, you should move away from them and not give affection. If they calm down, praise them verbally and give them a favourite doggie biscuit. Over time they will realize that jumping and excitement won’t bring them the reward they desire.

Troubles with Housetraining

It is hard work. Anyone who has house trained a puppy knows this. It will take some time before they can control their behaviour and learn where to go potty. This is possible with consistent training and the use of a crate.

You can start crate training your puppy from an early age. This will allow them to sleep and be independent when you are not there. They can also be used at night. Keep in mind that puppies need to relieve themselves more frequently because they have smaller bladders. It would be best to take your puppy out every hour, depending on how old they are. Puppy pads can be used during training.

A plastic clicker is another useful tool. It makes a clicking sound when you press it. This click can be used in conjunction with a treat to ensure your dog goes to the right place. It would be best if you also cleaned up any accidents with an enzyme-based cleaner to discourage repeat accidents.

Digging

Dogs have an instinct to dig. This is because it helps them find food. Canines will dig up roots and insects in the wild. They also hide food so they can return later. This instinct could be dangerous for your dog if they are constantly digging on the floor, furniture, or flower beds.

Instead of punishing them, allow them to explore a part of your yard. A sandbox is a container that can be filled with dirt or sand, and your dog will love digging up the toys.