Archive for the Category »Socializing A Puppy «

Why Do Puppies Bite Part 1?

By Admin
28
Nov 2009

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton’s third law of
Motion

We must first understand why puppies or dogs bite to understand how to stop them from biting or control their biting. The main reason I have found in my research is puppies bite because they are teething. Experts have determined the teething period for puppies range from 4 to 6 months up to a maximum of 10 months.

It is very crucial within this period for the new owner to control the puppy’s training process. All puppies like to play by being mouthy and chewing on anything they can get their sharp little teeth into. This is the time the new dog owner should control the puppy’s biting inhibition. The puppy must learn what is acceptable biting and what is not acceptable biting.

Within the litter puppies will play and bite naturally. However the mom will correct the puppy if the puppy bites mom while nursing, by rolling the puppy over and correcting it, or just get up and walk away. The mom in this situation is the pack leader and the puppy knows the rules of the pack. In the home, the puppy must understand that the new owner is now the new pack leader, and the rules of the pack. It is very important to correct a biting puppy if the behavior is not acceptable.

It is very important to socialize your puppy. Lack of socialization of your puppy between the age of 3 wks to 3mths with your environment, your children, other people and other dogs can also lead to growling which can lead to biting. You can read about socializing your puppy and the importance of this aspect of training in Socializing Puppy Tips:Aritcle.

All puppies explore things in their environment with their nose and mouth. They sniff around, find something, and next thing you know it is in their mouth. Many of times I have turned my back to see my dog with a dish towel I have dropped, my shoe that I left out, or a sock they found in the bedroom in their mouth.

There are different breeds of dogs that are known chewers. I have a Chocolate Lab that likes nothing better than to sit by my side with a chew toy in her mouth. She is just content to chew on that toy until she goes to sleep. I have taught my dog what is acceptable biting and what is not. It is acceptable to chew on the toy; however it is not acceptable to chew on my shoes. I did this by sternly saying no while pointing at my shoe and positively rewarding her with her chew toy. This worked for me and it may work for you.

Rewarding positive behavior will get you the acceptable behavior you want out of your new puppy. The rules are consistency in your training methods. Don’t reward the puppy for everything or the puppy may be confused. Some biting from the puppy may be acceptable but the intensity of the biting is what you are looking to control.

My adult dog has learned how to use her mouth to grab my arm when playing however the pressure is controlled. If the pressure is too intense I say no, she stops, or I walk away. This teaches her the biting was not acceptable and if she cannot control that she does not get to play.

Remember it is all in the training process. I never recommend the new dog owner using training in a negative manner. This can only add to your dogs inhibitions and could create the opposite behavior than what you expect. Positive reinforcement and rewards are recommended for a healthy and happy puppy.

Category: Aggressive Dog Behavior, Puppy Training Steps, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: agressive behavior, biting, dog, puppy, puppy training  Leave a Comment

How To Train Dogs Not To Jump

By Admin
27
Nov 2009

How to train dogs not to jump when greeting you at the door or greeting people on the street during a daily walk is not a simple task. Basic puppy training to stop dogs from jumping on friends, family members, and others is necessary for an obedient and healthy pet. The following 9 videos provide tips and tricks to training your puppy and dog not to jump when greeting others.

 

Why Dogs Jump on People. In this short 1.58 minute video find out exactly why dogs jump on people.

How to Generalize No Jumping Dog Obedience. In this 2.43 minute video generalizing no jumping obedience with a dog is demonstrated.

How to Play Memory Recall Games with Dogs. In this video which last 1.36 minute learn how to play memory recall games to teach your puppy how to come in low and not jump onto a person when greeting you or anyone the dog comes in contact with.

How to Practice Dog Greetings at the Door. Here the dog expert will show you in 2.01 minute how to practice training a dog in proper door greetings not jumping.

How to Reward your Dog. 2.46 minute video on how to reward your dog during dog training.

How to Start from Sit to Teach your Dog to Not Jump on People. Learn how to start your dog from the sit position to teach your dog not to jump on people in this 1.27 minute video.

How to Teach your Dog an Alternative Greeting.
In this 2.12 minute video you will learn how to teach your dog and alternative greeting that does not involve jumping on people.

How to Use a Dog’s Leash to Prevent Jumping. Here’s a great method to use when teaching your puppy not to jump. 2.40 minutes.

How to Use a Leash to Train your Dog Not to Jump. Learn how to use a leash to train your dog not to jump in this 2.09 minute video.

Category: New Puppies, Puppy Commands, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: puppy command  Leave a Comment

Socializing Puppy Tips

By Admin
26
Nov 2009

Socializing a puppy with family, friends, and other animals is an important aspect of dog ownership. A well adjusted and social dog is a well trained and happy dog. Socializing Puppies

It is never too early to start the process of socializing your puppy with unfamiliar surroundings, animals, and people. During the early stages of a puppy’s life the puppy is very impressionable to external influences. If the puppy’s experiences are positive at a young age then it is more likely the puppy will be open to them during his adult life. If his experience is unpleasant or absent the puppy may be apprehensive to these external influences later in life.

Socializing your puppy to external influences should be just as important to the new pet owner as is house breaking the puppy. The puppy should be exposed in a safe environment to other animals especially dogs and cats, and to other people in particular small children. The puppy should be exposed to various situations. Exposure to traffic and loud noises within reason can help the dog avoid anxieties common to some dogs.

When exposing the puppy to these external influences try to keep them fun, light-hearted, and pressure free. Never drag a dog or force a dog to experience something in a negative manner. The goal is for the puppy to have a pleasant and happy experience not scare the puppy.

Involve the puppy in social events such as family get to gathers, family walks, family sporting events, dog parks, dog beaches, and other safe socializing events. In all the circumstances listed ensure you supervise your puppy for behavior, abuse, or overwhelming issues. If the puppy looks overwhelmed or scared, reinforce the puppy with a happy and light-hearted behavior or play. Show the puppy there is nothing to be afraid of by interacting with the puppy in the external influences that he or she is experiencing.

Your role is to help your puppy become social while still protecting the puppy from any negative experiences. Do not force your puppy on an experience. Remove the puppy from the situation and crate your puppy for security reasons. Once the puppy has calmed down remove the puppy from his or her crate and reintroduce your puppy into the social event while supervising and praising your puppy when responsive.

Training your puppy can be a rewarding experience. A confident and well-socialized puppy that looks to you as a leader will be a more enjoyable friend to all that he or she comes into contact with.

Category: New Puppies, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: puppy, puppy tips, puppy training, socializing puppy, training  Leave a Comment

Puppy And Dog Separation Anxiety

By Admin
26
Nov 2009

When you leave home does your dog behave poorly while you are gone? Does he or she urinate in the house, pace, excessively bark, chew and tear your furniture, rugs, or other items in your home? If so, your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety.

What is separation anxiety? This condition in dogs is a term used to describe poor behavior when your dog is left alone. The dog could be destructive, noisy, and anxious to the point he disturbs neighbors, destroys items in the home, or harms himself. Separation anxiety is a stressful reaction your dog experiences when they become upset or stressed at their owner for leaving them alone with strangers or alone at home by themselves.

Some dogs are more susceptible than others to separation anxiety. Some common behaviors your dog may exhibit that you need to recognize could be but not limited to:

Vomiting
Reduced Appetite
Urinating or Defecation in the home
Shaking and Pacing
Trying to escape
Panting profusely
Excessive whining or barking
Hiding
Aggressive Behavior

Not all dogs with separation anxiety will experience all of these behaviors. Some may experience these behaviors in a mild state or some may experience them in a severely unhealthy state. It is important to recognize any of these behaviors in your pet when leaving your pet for any period of time by himself. Once recognized there is treatment for this condition. Contact your veterinarian for an evaluation of your dog�s health. There are specific medications your vet can recommend. Stress is not good for any dog and that is basically what triggers the bad behavior. The stress of the separation between the owner and the dog.

There are others ways to help your dog with separation anxiety through proper puppy and dog training. Always remember to focus on positive reinforcement when training your pet. Help promote a more relaxed behavior by rewarding your pet with his favorite treats or toys. Do not yell or scold the dog for undesirable behavior because this only adds to your dog�s anxiety and stress. Positive reinforcement is really the key to your dogs overall health and behavior.

Reward only calm behavior. Do not reward the dog when the dog is hyper or stressed because this only affirms that behavior. Use attention, affection, dog treats, favorite toys, belly rubs, and other attention to your dog to reward calm and acceptable behavior.

A rule of thumb when leaving your pet is not to make the situation overly exciting or stressful. Don’t continue to talk to the dog as you are leaving. You may think that telling your pet to be a good boy or girl, or you will be home soon, is calming to your dog. On the contrary, this gets your dog anxious and excited which we are trying to avoid. Just prior to leaving you can give your dog a treat or his favorite toy as a distraction but then immediately walk out the door quietly.

When you return home do not get the dog excited by talking loudly or being overly excited yourself. Wait for your pet to calm down and then give him attention thus reinforcing the good behavior. Remove his favorite toy and put it up for additional training periods. Remember the favorite toy is a reward for good behavior. If the toy is allowed to be at the dogs disposal whenever he wants it then the reward no longer works.

A good way to help your dog coup with separation anxiety is to teach your dog to settle down in a specified location whether it is a dog crate, a corner with a dog bed, or on his favorite blanket in a certain location in the home. This will allow the dog to have a safe and secure sanctuary to retreat to when left at home alone. It will also teach the dog there is a safe location for him when others are home and he needs to rest.

Properly training your dog through rewarding him with positive reinforcement can improve your pet�s health and help to eliminate or at least control the behavior experienced when separated from his owner.

Separation anxiety is common amongst dogs and is treatable. This article is not a cure all for this condition and it is recommended that any dog owner who suspects their pet is experiencing separation anxiety seek the help of their local veterinarian for proper treatment.

Category: New Puppies, Puppy Training Steps, Puppy and Dog Health, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: agressive, agressive behavior, behavior, dog, puppy training, separationg anxiety, socializing puppy  Leave a Comment