Common Puppy Behavioral ProblemsBefore addressing your puppys behavioral problems your need to make sure that they are completely healthy and
that any issue he is having is not medically related. For example peeing all over the house may be due to a bladder or urinary tract problem so always check with your vet first
when dealing with a problem behavior. Also make sure that your puppy is eating right, is on a consistent schedule and has lots of exercise. Exercise can single handedly stop all your
puppys problem behaviors. Think of it this way if your puppy is pooped from running around and playing in the yard with you than he wont have time to bit, nip or do any of the things that are causing you
problems so remember exercise, exercise, exercise. Also dont forget about love, understanding and being patient with your puppy. Dont set a time limit on house breaking. It will come when your puppy is ready and he understands.
The following is a list of the top puppy behavioral problems people encounter and some effective ways of dealing with them.
Mouthing
Mouthing is when your puppy is constantly putting his mouth on you, bitting you and nipping you all over. Puppies use their mouths like we use our hands. Its there way of communicating and
experiencing the world. It is very natural and needs to be re-directed into constructive outlets. Mouthing can also be due to teething (or teeth coming in to the mouth) and can be a way of relieving teething pain. Soaking a
small rag in water, ringing out the excess water and then freezing it will create an excellent cold toy that your puppy can chew on to relive teething pain. Using a can filled with coins as a shaker to startle your puppy whenever he is biting you used with a lound NO
can help teach him that biting it not a good idea. Using a small water gun filled with warm water can also act as a deterant. Simply give a little squirt whenever your puppy bites or mouths you and say NO. Once he stops its important to
re-direct his biting to a bone (never give your puppy real bones) or chew toy. Give him the chew toy as soon as he stops and praise him warmly.
Chewing
Chewing is another way puppies relieve teething pain. It can also be a sign of boredom or just a way to pass the time. Puppies love to chew so its important they know what they can and cant chew. Spraying
items that your dont want chewed with a puppy deterant spray can work. Hiding and storing precious items or keeping your puppy away from certain areas with your baby gate can also stop him destroying things that are important to you. Correcting
with a NO and then re-directing chewing behavior to a chew toy or bone (never give your puppy real bones) can also help stop this behavior.
Jumping
Jumping starts off as playful and fun but can turn into a bad habit when your cute little boxer puppy turns into a large adult dog and continues to jump on frightened guests. If jumping
is a problem for you try and aviod it early and correct the behavior when your puppy is young. Correcting with a NO, water guns and shaker cans are great ways of stopping the jumping in its tracks. Using a sit after the
jumping has stopped can also work. To stop jumping on furniture try placing ballons on the furniture you dont want your puppy on. When ever he jumps on the furniture pop a ballon and your puppy will most likely jump off and learn
that couch means loud noise means im not bothering with it. Dont do this with shy dogs as it can really freak them out. Also be consistent with the no couch thing or otherwise dont bother. You will just end up confusing puppy and
yourself.
Excessive Barking
Barking can be a big problem for you and your neighbors as well as a big headache. Never punish the barking and NEVR EVER tie up your dog for barking or for anything. Barking is a means of
communicating for your puppy and always has a reason. Many times its "Im protecting here so back away". He could also be trying to tell you that hes hungry, bored, lonely, unhappy or any number of things so be aware. The shaker can and water
gun methods work great here because they usually instantly stop the barking. Praise
and reward the silence and try using a trigger word for the silence like quite.
You can also try the Bark-Free Trainer from Sharper Image.
It is a great product that works in a very humane way to stop excessive barking. Whenever your puppy barks past a level that you are comfortable with the machine emits a high frequency sound
that only he can here that bothers him and makes him stop barking. Through reinforcement training he soon learns to stop barking like that. |
Bark-Free Ultrasonic Trainer
 
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Night Crying
When you first get your puppy he might cry or whine at night. He is doing this because he is scared and doesnt want to be left alone in the crate. You should try and keep the crate close to your bed in your bedroom.
Also try placing a warm bottle in a blanket inside the crate. This will simulate the warmth of his mother. Also try putting one of your socks or shirts into the crate so your puppy can have your scent around. This will also soothe your puppy. Finally you may want to
try and place a ticking clock wrapped in a shirt or small blanket in the crate as well. Place it close to the warm bottle. This will simulate the beating of your puppys mother's heart and can be very soothing to your puppy. Also try being patient and reasuring to your puppy.
Being alone in a new enviornment with new people can be scary to anyone so try and understand and shower him with affection and reassurance.
Peeing and Pooping
If you are consistent with your potty training and your puppy is healthy peeing and pooping should not be a problem. Of course the first few weeks or even months after
you get your puppy peeing and pooping in the house will be a problem. You need to be patient and consistent with your training. Take your puppy out many, many times a day, reward and praise when he goes outside and use a trigger word when he goes. Be aware of
submissive urination as well. Submissive urination is when your puppy pees because he is afraid of you and wants to show you how submissive he is. In the wild wolves use submissive urination as a way of telling the other wolves "Look I am totally at your mercy, please
dont hurt me". Submissive urination should never be punished because it will only make things worse. Be calm, quite and gentle and show him you are not a threat. Your puppy needs to trust that you are not going to hurt him or scare him and submissive urination should fade out.
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