Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time, filled with joy and the promise of a loving companion. However, it’s also common for new owners to face significant behavioral challenges. This article addresses prevalent issues like jumping, nipping, excessive barking, digging, and indiscriminate licking, offering practical solutions based on canine behavior expertise. Understanding and addressing these normal, yet often frustrating, puppy behaviors is key to building a harmonious relationship with your dog.
Addressing Jumping and Nipping at Visitors
Puppies often jump and nip when greeting new people due to overexcitement. While attempting to manage this by having visitors ignore the puppy initially and then calling him while restrained might seem logical, it can inadvertently increase his drive. This “restrained recall” can build frustration, leading to an even more intense greeting behavior.
What to do: Keep your puppy on a leash when guests arrive. Use leash pops, as taught in obedience classes, to prevent pulling and jumping. Do not allow him to approach guests until he is calm. Let him sniff them, but immediately interrupt any jumping or nipping with a gentle leash pop. Guests should ignore him until he has settled down. Once he is calm, they can pet him, but any jumping should result in a return to ignoring him.
Managing Nipping When Your Back is Turned
When you turn your back to ignore a puppy, it can sometimes be perceived as an invitation to play or a challenge, leading to nipping at legs or ankles. The common tactic of turning away is often misunderstood as true ignoring; for a puppy, it can feel like a game.
What to do: Practice true ignoring by acting as if you don’t see or hear him. This means no eye contact, no talking, and no touching. While he may still jump initially, most dogs will desist if they receive absolutely no attention. If ignoring proves too difficult, a gentle, non-engaging correction, such as a nudge with your knee or a push with your hand without verbal cues or eye contact, can be effective. The primary goal is to withdraw all attention, especially from your face.
Tackling Persistent Evening Barking
Constant barking, especially when it lasts for extended periods, can be incredibly stressful for owners. Conflicting strategies, such as ignoring at one moment and trying to comfort or command the dog to stop the next, can confuse the puppy and prevent any single method from being effective.
What to do: Implement a consistent strategy. Apply the “Play Hard To Get Rule” consistently, meaning you only give your puppy attention when you initiate it. This applies not only during barking episodes but at all times. Even when he approaches calmly, ignore him unless you have invited him for attention. Wait until he has moved away slightly, then call him to you for affection. This teaches him that attention is earned and initiated by you, not demanded by him.
Preventing Destructive Digging and Chewing
Destructive behaviors like digging in the yard and chewing on inappropriate items (gutters, drip systems) often stem from boredom, excess energy, or a need to explore. While deterrents like chili powder might offer temporary relief, they lack consistency.
What to do: Ensure your puppy receives adequate exercise and has appropriate chew toys, such as bones or stuffed Kongs. If digging is targeted, reapplying deterrents like chili powder consistently to specific spots can help, especially when the puppy is unsupervised. For chewing on household items, consider safe, non-toxic sprays designed for this purpose and ensure he has plenty of stimulating chew alternatives. Teaching a solid “Leave It” command, often covered in a Basic Obedience Class, is crucial for addressing these behaviors effectively.
Managing Excessive Licking
Excessive licking of household surfaces and objects can be another sign of boredom, anxiety, or simply a puppy’s way of exploring his environment. Similar to digging and chewing, providing sufficient outlets for his natural behaviors is key.
What to do: Address excessive licking by ensuring your puppy is getting enough physical and mental stimulation. Provide a variety of safe chew items and implement a strong “Leave It” command. For surfaces, you can use pet-safe deterrent sprays, but always test for staining first. The underlying principle remains the same: fulfill his needs for exploration and activity in approved ways.
Fulfilling Your Puppy’s Needs
It’s important to remember that many of these challenging behaviors are simply normal canine activities that humans may not appreciate. Young dogs have a natural surplus of energy, a need to play, a desire to chew, and a drive to explore their world through their senses. As owners, our role is to fulfill these needs in constructive ways, rather than solely focusing on suppressing the behaviors. Providing ample exercise, training, opportunities for exploration, and appropriate outlets for chewing can significantly reduce unwanted behaviors and foster a well-behaved companion.
Chad Culp – Certified Dog Trainer, Canine Behavior Consultant, Owner of Thriving Canine.
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