How to Deal With Common, Puppy Behavior Problems with Pet Peeves dog daycare
A puppy that fits right into the palm of an owner’s hand is enough to melt your heart. Almost every person wants to raise a puppy at some point in their lives. The 
adorable factor is off the scales. However, puppies come with a lot of responsibility. In little time, they’ll be adults with either good or bad behavior. Pet owners living in Golden should be aware of the behavioral issues that can worsen over time if they aren’t addressed during a puppy’s first year. Take a crash course in dog training so that Fido is a joy to have around.
Understand Natural Behaviors
Lakewood pet owners must first realize what is considered natural or unnatural when it comes to a puppy’s behavior. It’s true that barking, nipping and howling are natural behaviors. They represent how a dog communicates with other members of its species. From a human perspective, however, these behaviors aren’t welcome.
It’s important to understand natural behaviors so that the pup isn’t corrected at the wrong time. Barking at an intruder is entirely justified compared to the same barking directed at a family member. Correct the dog in the proper context.
Consistency is Key
Handle the puppy’s behavior by starting with consistent corrections. Every time the pup barks unnecessarily, pet owners must use a command. Saying “stop” with a hand motion is particularly helpful. When the correction is consistent, the puppy will eventually stop that unwanted behavior.
Pet owners may want to speak to their dog daycare facility when it comes to certain commands. The dog daycare workers can continue with the consistency so that the puppy isn’t confused. Both the hand motion and verbal command must be used together for the best communication between humans and puppies.
The Barking Pup
Barking is the most basic form of communication for a puppy. Take any dog to the kennel, and it will bark for territory, anxiety and other reasons. Train the pup at home to bark only when it’s necessary, such as when a stranger approaches the house. When the pup barks out of turn, say the word “quiet” in a firm yet calm way.
Encourage quiet by giving the pup tiny treats when it obeys the command. With consistent commands, the pup’s excessive barking should fade away.
Whining Issues
Whining in puppies occurs for many different reasons. They normally stem from lack of confidence. The puppy might be nervous as it encounters a dog daycare situation, or it misses its owner during a long workday.
Build up the pup’s confidence with dog training classes that bond owners to animals. When the owner isn’t present, the pup still feels comfortable in its own skin. Be mentally and physically present for the pup when the owner is home. These interactions create a strong-willed pup that listens to commands.
Biting or Nipping Concerns
Biting isn’t a big deal when the puppy is small, but it’s a real problem as it grows larger and stronger than before. When the pup nips or bites a finger, pull the hand back and make a yelping sound. Give the puppy a stern “no” immediately after the reaction.
This primal reaction tells the pup that the owner is injured. By being consistent with reactions, the dog will stop this behavior so that the owner doesn’t react in such an animated way.
The Bouncing Puppy
Pet owners must overlook the “cuteness” factor when it comes to bouncing or jumping onto people or household items. Each time that the animal jumps, tell them “no.” Give the pet a treat when it doesn’t jump too. These cues tell the animal that jumping isn’t a good behavior in the household.
Resource Guarding
Resource guarding is the act of being aggressive about an object, such as food. This behavior is entirely natural because of competition in the wild. When it comes to guarding food, simply be aware of the situation. Feed the dog in its own, personal area. Keep children and other animals away as the pup eats.
If guarding pertains to a certain toy, allow the pup to have that item as its own. Guarding on excessive levels, however, should be evaluated by a professional. Pups shouldn’t be territorial about everything in their world.
Unnecessary Aggression
If pet owners notice any aggressive behaviors in their puppy, the time to train it is now. Taking the pup to any dog boarding facility in the future will be nearly impossible if aggression becomes a habit.
Understand the pup’s triggers, such as a neighbor’s dog infringing on a territory. Keep these two dogs away from each other if possible. Try to socialize the animal with other people too. Aggression is often the fear of the unknown, which happens a lot in social situations.
Find out more about socializing your dog
Find out more about signs of an aggressive dog
Turning to the Professional Dog Trainers
It’s not always fun and games as a Golden dog owner. Be honest with the pup’s behavioral progress, and turn to a dog training facility. One or two classes each week for several months may be all that’s necessary to help a pup with a certain behavior.
Certain facilities, including dog boarding, can also offer training. Pet Peeves experts are known for their commitment to pet families as behavioral issues become a frustration of the past. It takes effort from every party for the changes to really sink in with the puppy.
Tips from kennel professionals are always helpful. Pet owners can also look toward their veterinarians for further help. Some pups might have behavioral issues that require medical intervention, for example. Regardless of the chosen pathway for behavioral help, a healthy puppy will continue to thrive well into its adult years. Early efforts from loving owners are the keys to a happy, strong>Lakewood household.
