Dealing with Normal Puppy Behavior

As cute as they are, puppies are a handful to train! You need be patient and understanding with your puppy, you must work on training him as soon as he comes home with you. If left unattended, cute puppy behavior will evolve into adult dog behavior problems. For example, mouthing or gnawing is a very normal puppy behavior but it can be difficult to break the habit once your dog is grown and biting. This behavior can be helped by offering a chew toy with one hand and petting your puppy with the other. If your puppy still attempts to mouth on your hands, immediately look at your pup, make an abrupt “ouch!” and cease any petting or attention you were giving the puppy. Ignore your puppy, leaving the room if you must, in order to stress to him that mouthing is an unacceptable behavior. Once your puppy is calm again, return and try the chew toy method again.  

Another common puppy behavior that must be correct is jumping up. Dogs will jump on and at their owners in order to get attention. If you push your dog away, he is still receiving a type of attention. When your dog is jumping on you, fold your arms, and command “off.” If your dog knows the “sit” command, then give it. Keep your back turned and ignore him until he has all four paws on the floor, then calmly turn to him and praise him. If he begins jumping once you face him, repeat the ignoring process. 

Never tap, slap, or hit your dog for nipping or jumping. These are ineffective for training purposes and will likely backfire in the following ways: 

• Your dog will become “hand-shy” and develop a fear of hands

• Your dog will become fearful of you and begin avoiding you

• Your dog will respond defensively towards you and your family

• Your dog will misinterpret the slap as an invitation for rough play, in which he will get even more aroused and likely to nip and jump 

Tugging or wrestling games may be fun, but it encourages undesirable behavior such as grabbing, lunging, and competition with you. Please review the “Fun Things to Do with Your Dog” portion of this manual for appropriate outlets for your dog’s energy. The whole family should be using the same techniques. Otherwise, it can be very confusing to your dog and can make the training process difficult.