There’s no question that puppies bring an endless amount of joy into our lives. With their playful demeanors, unconditional love, and puppy snuggles, it’s hard to imagine what can go wrong! However, it’s important to remember, that it’s also a lot of work. A new puppy is like a newborn baby. They have a lot to learn, and they’re highly impressionable. Starting off with good habits early is crucial for their behavior in the long run. If you’re a new puppy owner, we have some tips for you. Although most owners have good intentions, there are plenty of mistakes that pet owners make in the training process that ultimately lead to poor puppy behavior. Below are 3 of the most common training mistakes that we see.
Dealing With Accidents in the House
Potty accidents are one of the biggest issues that pet owners deal with, and in fact, is the number one reason that puppies end up dropped at shelters. It’s important to always keep in mind that dogs are not born knowing human expectations. So if they have an “accident” in the house, they won’t necessarily know this is wrong, unless you train them. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure they get outside every two hours or so to go to the bathroom. When your dog does have accidents in the house, don’t just ignore it. Let him know that you’re unhappy with the behavior, and reward him next time he goes to the bathroom outside so that he learns right from wrong.
Allowing Nipping
Puppies are used to using their teeth to play, especially early on with their littermates. While it may be cute and harmless at first, this behavior should not be allowed. Adult dogs biting is a common issue, and can easily be nipped in the bud early on in the puppy years. Your dog needs to learn impulse control, as it’ll help to make him more safe and social around other dogs or people.
Avoiding the Crate
Crates have been given a bad rep, but we can’t stress the importance of crate training enough. Crate training is crucial for the dog’s safety, and also helps to potty train them, as they won’t want to have an accident in the crate where they can’t escape it. Crates help to keep your dog and your space safe, especially when you start to leave him alone for periods of time. The goal is to get your dog to think of the crate as his safe space, and he’ll actually enjoy going into it.
Contact Canine College for Assistance
As mentioned, training a puppy can be a lot of work, and even the most veteran pet owners will need some assistance at some point. Whether it’s addressing specific behaviors or just teaching basic commands, the expert dog trainers at Canine College are here to help! We offer private training sessions and group classes. Check out our classes and contact us today to get started.
