Having a puppy is an exciting time in any household, but it can also be frustrating when your puppy starts exhibiting behaviors that you find annoying or destructive.
It can be hard not to get frustrated or even angry when your puppy chews up your furniture, barks incessantly or has accidents on the carpet. However, it’s important to remember that puppies are not evil, they are simply animals that need to be trained and taught appropriate behaviors.
With a little patience and consistency, you can help your puppy learn the right way to behave and become a beloved member of your family.
Biting and Chewing
One of the most frustrating behaviors that puppies exhibit is biting and chewing. Puppies naturally explore their environment with their mouths, and they can’t differentiate between their toys and your personal belongings.
It’s important to give your puppy plenty of appropriate chew toys and discourage them from chewing on anything else. If your puppy starts to nip or bite at you, gently say “no” and replace your hand with a chew toy.
Consistency is key when it comes to correcting this behavior, and it may take some time for your puppy to understand what is expected of them.
Barking
Barking is another common behavior that can be frustrating for pet owners. Some puppies bark out of boredom or anxiety, while others are trying to alert their owners to something.
It’s important to figure out why your puppy is barking so you can address the underlying issue. If your puppy is barking out of boredom, make sure they have plenty of toys and attention throughout the day.
If they are barking out of anxiety, try to soothe them with a comforting toy or blanket and consider hiring a professional to help with behavior training.
Potty Training
Accidents in the house are inevitable when you have a young puppy, but it’s important to start potty training your puppy as soon as possible. Potty training requires consistency and patience, and your puppy may have accidents along the way.
You can start by limiting your puppy’s access to certain areas of the house and taking them outside frequently, especially after meals or naps. Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they go potty outside, and avoid scolding or punishing them for accidents in the house.
Jumping Up
Puppies love to jump up on people, especially when they are excited. However, jumping can be dangerous and even scary for some people.
It’s important to teach your puppy that jumping is not an acceptable behavior, and there are several ways to do this. You can start by ignoring your puppy when they jump up and only giving them attention when they are on all fours. You can also teach them a command like “off” or “down” and reward them when they follow through.
It may take some time for your puppy to understand what is expected of them, but with consistency, they will learn that jumping is not acceptable.
Conclusion
Puppies are not evil, but they can be frustrating when they start exhibiting behaviors that are inappropriate or destructive. It’s important to remember that puppies need guidance and training to learn the right way to behave.
With patience, consistency, and love, you can help your puppy become a well-behaved and beloved member of your family.