Preventing Puppy Problems: Essential Tips for a Well-Behaved Dog

1. Set Boundaries with Furniture

Allowing your puppy on the furniture might seem harmless at first, but it can lead

to problems down the road. Dogs who are frequently on furniture may start to feel entitled to it, making it harder to establish boundaries later. In our opinion this is especially important for competitive, territorial, and high drive dogs, e.g., bully breeds, GSD, terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, and even Chihuahuas.

• How to Start: Designate a specific space for your puppy, like a cozy dog bed, elevated cot, or mat. Whenever they try to climb on the furniture, gently guide them back to their bed and reward them with a treat when they stay there. They should have a bed in every room they frequent, as well as a crate. Using a "Place" and "Crate" command will help them understand where they should go. Dogs learn through associative and episodic memory systems, so whatever they are allowed or not allowed to do will become a habit over time

• Consistency is Key: Make sure everyone in the household follows the same rules. If some people allow the puppy on the couch and others don’t, it will create confusion and inconsistency, which can make training more challenging. A lack of consistency creates what we call the "grandma effect." This occurs when the dog avoids a person in authority and constantly seeks out the path of least resistance with another member of the pack. Everything should be black and white

2. Prevent Resource Guarding of Food and Toys

Resource guarding, where a dog aggressively defends food, toys, or other items, is a natural instinct that can develop if not managed properly. This behavior can lead to aggression, especially around children or other pets.

• Introduce Handling Early: While your puppy is eating, gently touch and handle them to help them feel comfortable with people near their food. Avoid sudden movements that could make them anxious and reward them with a small treat when they remain calm. We like to show our clients with new puppies our half-and-half technique. This simple method involves feeding half of their food by hand, then placing the remainder in their bowl. An important but optional step is to include a quick obedience session while handfeeding. This helps them get used to luring and following a target, which will eventually transition from the food itself to just your hand.

• Teach the “Trade” Game: Practice trading their toy or treat for another item or treat of equal or higher value. This reinforces the idea that giving up their items leads to a positive outcome. Always trade up to avoid creating frustration or reinforcing guarding behaviors. This is not only a good time to work on your "Out" command, but you can also start teaching "Fetch". The two-ball fetch method is a great way to teach a reliable "Fetch" command and prevent resource guarding. Start by showing your dog one ball and throwing it. When they bring it back, don’t reach for it—instead, show them the second ball to grab their attention. As they drop the first ball in anticipation, throw the second one. Repeat this pattern to encourage a smooth fetch and release cycle, making fetch more enjoyable and less possessive.

3. Address Play Biting

Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths but play biting can quickly escalate if not managed early. Teaching your puppy to control their mouth is essential, especially for preventing nipping or biting later on.

Redirect to Toys: When your puppy starts biting your hand or clothing, immediately offer a toy to redirect their energy. Praise them when they bite the toy instead of you. It may help to use a clip leash or slip lead to control their movements and keep them away from your skin. To maximize the effectiveness of redirection, test different toys to find which ones hold your puppy’s attention best.

Teach “Ouch” as a Signal: When your puppy bites too hard, say “Ouch” in a firm, slightly high-pitched voice, stop playing momentarily, and ignore them. This mimics how puppies naturally learn bite inhibition from their littermates. Once they calm down, resume play to reinforce that gentle play is rewarded. Ignoring them in this way uses what is called negative punishment, meaning you remove something desirable—in this case, your attention. Avoid eye contact and turn your back or side to them.

Using “No” vs. “Ouch”: "No" can also be used instead of "Ouch," but it’s essential to

remember that puppies struggle to generalize. If "No" is used for multiple undesirable behaviors, it may take longer for them to understand what specifically they’re being corrected for. Given that play biting can be a significant issue, using a unique signal or command for this behavior may help expedite learning.

We don't want to reward the biting. Only use this method when you feel the dog is out of control. This method works best as a transition into training or a game.

Play Bite Correction Hold: If play biting persists, you can use a play bite correction hold. Hold the puppy against your chest with one hand and make the “OK” sign (👌) with the other. Place the “OK” sign ring around their snout and hold them firmly in place. Wait until you feel their heart rate slow down and hear them release a long sigh, then gently set them back on the ground. Be sure to use markers to capture the desired behavior: say “No” before picking them up and “Good” when you set them down.

4. Stop Demand Barking

Puppies quickly learn that barking can get them attention, treats, or playtime,

which can develop into demand barking—persistent barking to get what they want. Addressing this behavior early will help your dog develop patience, self-control, and good manners.

Ignore the Barking: When your puppy barks for attention, treats, or play, avoid responding to or looking at them. Any acknowledgment, even a "No," can reinforce that barking is effective. Instead, calmly ignore the barking until your puppy is quiet, then immediately reward the calm behavior with a treat, praise, or gentle attention. This teaches them that quiet behavior, not barking, gets positive responses. If they’re in a crate, wait until they’re completely quiet before letting them out. Going to them while they’re barking or crying in the crate can unintentionally reward the noise, reinforcing the habit.

Teach the “Quiet” Command: Start by rewarding moments when your puppy is naturally calm and quiet. As they start to understand, introduce the “Quiet” command when they’re silent and reward them for following it. Gradually, begin using the “Quiet” command during mild barking episodes, and praise them when they stop. Consistent use of the command helps them associate silence with a positive outcome. If they bark, wait patiently for a pause, then say “Quiet” and reward them when they respond. Over time, your puppy will learn that “Quiet” signals them to stop barking, and they’ll anticipate a reward for doing so.

Avoid Reinforcing Demand Barking During Playtime: If your puppy barks at you to initiate play, resist the urge to respond or engage. Giving in when they bark teaches them that barking is a reliable way to get attention or start playtime. Instead, wait for a moment of calm before initiating play on your terms. This reinforces that calmness, not barking, is what earns them positive interactions. During play, if barking resumes, temporarily pause the game, ignoring your puppy until they quiet down again, then resume playing to reward the calm behavior.

Managing Crate Barking and Crying: When a puppy is in their crate, they may bark or whine to get your attention, especially if they’re still adjusting to crate training. It’s essential to avoid going to them when they’re vocalizing, as this can reinforce barking or crying as a way to be released from the crate. Instead, wait until they’re silent, even if just briefly, and reward the quiet behavior by calmly letting them out. Over time, they’ll understand that being quiet is the key to being released, not barking or crying.

5. Provide Enough Exercise to Prevent Inappropriate Behaviors: This is a Mandatory Tip for a Well-behaved Dog

One of the main reasons puppies develop problematic behaviors—such as excessive chewing, digging, or barking—is a lack of sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. Puppies are full of energy, and without a proper outlet, they’ll find their own (often inappropriate) ways to release it.

• Daily Walks and Playtime: Puppies need at least two sessions of exercise per day, depending on their breed and age. Short walks, playtime in the yard, or a safe open space are great ways to keep their energy levels balanced.

• Mental Stimulation Matters: Physical activity is crucial, but so is mental engagement. Use puzzle toys, obedience training, and interactive games like hide-and-seek to stimulate their minds. This will help reduce boredom-related behaviors like chewing or digging.

• Monitor and Adjust: Watch how your puppy behaves after exercise. If they seem restless or engage in unwanted behaviors, try increasing the amount of physical or mental exercise. For very active breeds, incorporating additional activities like agility training or scent games can be especially beneficial.

Consistency, Patience, and Positive Reinforcement

Every puppy is different, and they all learn at their own pace. The most important factor in training is consistency—ensuring the same boundaries and rules are upheld by everyone interacting with the puppy. Reward positive behavior and always approach training with patience and love.

By following these tips, setting boundaries early, and teaching these key skills, you’ll help your puppy develop into a well-behaved adult dog who respects your home, interacts safely with others, and knows how to communicate effectively without unwanted behaviors. Enjoy the journey with your new furry friend!

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