Young dogs become territorial for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, puppies may not get the socialization that they need to learn proper behaviour, and they may become aggressive as a result. In other sad cases, abuse, lack of affection and improper care may darken a puppy’s spirit, making him or her quite territorial about toys, chew sticks, and personal space.

Now and then, the reasons why a loved and properly cared-for puppy becomes territorial may be a mystery. However, the natural pack instinct of canines likely plays a significant role in this type of behaviour. Usually, territorial puppies will act like everything belongs to them (including their owners or other favorite people!). They will growl, bare their teeth, crouch down and point their ears forward when perceived threats to their “territory” are present.

Obviously, this sort of aggressive activity can be dangerous. Puppies in the throes of territorial behaviour may seem threatening to other people, and they may nip or bite if their territorial tendencies go unchecked. If your beloved pet is displaying classic signs of territorial behaviour, you will need to take action as soon as you can. Letting this sort of activity go on is not a great idea. Training your young dog correctly is the key to easing innate or “learned” territorial behaviour.

Here are some strategies for helping your loyal canine friend to change his or her ways:

Socialize Your Puppy – Proper socialization is one of the keys to nipping territorial behaviour in the bud. Puppies should be exposed to other canines on a regular basis during the first three months of life. A puppy should also be exposed to plenty of people and lots of places. Introducing variety into a young dog’s life is the key to making a puppy more comfortable with other animals and other people. Socialization and variety may lessen the natural anxiety levels of young canines and help them to realize that other people or animals are not really “threats”.

The first three month period of life is a crucial window of time that will often determine how your puppy reacts to outside stimuli or other people and animals. If you haven’t given your puppy sufficient time to mingle at a dog park or hang out with other canines, you should try to socialize your puppy immediately by getting him or her involved with other dogs. As well, be sure to introduce your beloved pet to lots of people and many different locales.

Of course, it’s harder to socialize a young dog when he or she is already exhibiting signs of territorial behaviour or outright aggression. However, a good dog trainer may be able to socialize your pet if you don’t feel that you are up to the challenge.

Starting early is the key to success, and so is staying the course. Be sure to socialize your young dog often during the first 12 weeks of life.

One of the best ways to socialize a new puppy is to place him or her in a “puppy class” where young dogs are grouped together specifically for purposes of socialization. These dogs are hand-picked because they have appropriate vaccinations for their age and because they are fundamentally healthy. This kind of socialization is ideal for your young puppy.

Understand Puppy Aggression and Canine Territorial Behaviour – Dealing with your puppy’s aggression and territorial behaviour will be easier when you understand why it happens. For example, puppies that “spaz” out when the mailman shows up will sometimes act even nuttier once mailmen have gone on their merry way. In the eyes of puppies, they have “made” these mailmen leave due to their aggressive behaviour.

Therefore, aggression may grow even stronger after a “success”. Knowing how the canine mind functions will help you to handle territorial behaviour with more patience. love and understanding.

What Not to Do – When dealing with a territorial puppy, acting aggressive yourself is not recommended. For example, shouting at your dog will only exacerbate your young dog’s problem behaviour. While you must voice your displeasure when faced with improper conduct, it should be done in the right way. Kindness and firmness are important traits of pet owners who manage to cure or minimize territorial behaviour in their pups. Hurting a dog with corporal punishment is also a mistake, as this type of punishment is cruel and usually inspires even more aggressiveness.

As you can see, socialization is really the key to soothing territorial behaviour in your puppy. If you’ve waited too long to socialize your dog, he or she may have spent too much time alone. While aggressiveness is dangerous and negative, there are ways to undo the damage. Proper training and lots of love will pave the way for a bright future with Fido.

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Your puppy’s begging behaviour isn’t innate animal instinct; in fact, it’s typically a conditioned response to the actions of human beings, who may frequently offer irresistible treats to your little canine pal.

If you want to teach your pup how to stop begging, you must recognize exactly how the whole problem started, and then nip begging in the bud by sticking to a regular feeding schedule (and avoiding tempting your pet between meals). Everyone who lives in your home or comes to visit must also refrain from offering table scraps and other goodies that inspire plenty of regular (and exasperating!) begging.

By following this simple rule, you’ll eventually teach your young dog that there will be no rewards for begging. Of course, it’s better to avoid giving your pup treats or table scraps right from the outset; this way, begging behaviour doesn’t have a chance to develop.

However, many new pet owners do trigger begging by giving their beloved puppies foods that these young dogs shouldn’t have. If this is the case with you and Fido, there are some ways to reduce or eliminate your puppy’s begging with a few simple training tips:

Use a Puppy Crate to Enforce Boundaries at Family Mealtimes – A puppy crate is an excellent training tool; by placing your dog in his or her crate before you sit down to eat, you’ll be able to enjoy your food without dealing with your puppy’s incessant whining and begging. Start early with crating; it helps to establish guidelines that lead to a better daily schedule and less begging behaviour.

If you or your family have been guilty of giving your pup treats from the table, it will take a little time to retrain your puppy; however, it is well worth doing. Soon, your puppy will realize that your mealtimes and his or her mealtimes are not connected; be gentle and firm, but do enforce crating as you teach your puppy to undo negative habits. This sort of training technique is all about keeping your dog away from the table, and it really works.

Change Your Puppy’s Feeding Times – Another key strategy for reducing puppy begging behaviour is to give your young dog his or her meals at the same time that you enjoy your own. By making sure your little canine buddy has something to eat and drink while you are noshing, you’ll distract him or her from typical begging activities. This “diversion” tactic is also a smart way to keep the entire household (animal and human) on the same feeding schedule.

If you’re currently eating meals at a different time than Fido, take pains to coordinate feeding schedules. Obviously, your young dog will be less inclined to beg when he or she already has a nice, big bowl of puppy chow to eat.

Bear in mind that slipping your puppy treats from the table isn’t really good for his or her health; most human food (even simple meat dishes) is prepared with oils and spices that may really irritate your puppy’s tummy and bowel. Stick to kibble and water to enjoy a happier, healthier pet.

Use Verbal Commands to Keep Fido Away from “Human” Food – Puppies respond to verbal cues from their owners; therefore, it’s important to deter begging by ordering your young dog away from humans who are chowing down. Of course, now and then, people eat and drink away from the kitchen table or dining room. If you’re eating pizza on the couch, enjoying barbecue in the backyard (or on a patio), or feasting on snacks during a party, you must command Fido to leave the area during your snack times.

While it’s no fun to order your dog away when he or she is clearly desperate for a “human” food treat, it is the right way to stop begging. When you use this approach, always use it; don’t waver back and forth, as this will send your puppy confusing mixed messages. Stay strict with training to get the best results, and to help Fido understand that begging is not permitted, and that it is ultimately futile.

Compassionate, loving puppy owners soon learn the value of firmness during puppy training; this type of training should start very early, and it should never include physical punishment of a little pet. The right tone of voice, the right puppy crate, and the right mealtimes will go a long way towards setting boundaries and schedules that alleviate begging behaviour. Changing your dog’s habits won’t be expensive or difficult, as long as you are committed to staying the course.

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A dog barking can be enough to drive you crazy, especially if its owner cannot make it stop.

Dogs generally bark for three main reasons. One is to alert you to something new in their territory. Another is to relieve boredom or stress. A third reason is to communicate with you.

You can’t expect to take the bark totally out of the dog. Barking is a natural part of a dog’s life. Just as frogs croak, dogs bark and they’re going to continue to do so. The key is to be able to control your dog’s barking.

It is important for us to realize that we humans can be the reason that dogs bark. Without realizing it, we often reward our dogs for barking. Consider this. Fido wants out so he goes to the door and lets out a bark. You open the door and let him out. When he barks to come back in, you open the door and let him in. In essence, we have taught the dog something that can become an unacceptable mode of behavior. He barks and you respond.

You can control your dog’s barking, but first, you have to determine why he or she is doing so. Is someone or something strange in your dog’s territory? Is your dog lonely? Is your dog frightened? These are all reasons that can set your dog to barking uncontrollably.

Remember to praise your dog when he or she is not barking. This will help to reinforce the fact that your dog does not have to bark to get your attention.

Provide plenty of exercise – mental and physical – for your dog. A bored dog is very likely to entertain himself by barking at anything that moves. Barking can become a learned source of entertainment and fun. Once this happens, it will be a lot harder to break the unwanted habit.

It is vital that you socialize your dog. Dogs are very social animals. A dog that is tied to a chain in the backyard is more likely to develop an unwanted barking habit than a housedog that receives frequent attention. A neighbor’s dog walking by the fence, a jogger running down the alley, a cat strolling down the sidewalk are all situations that make most dogs want to interact with the strangers. If your dog never has the opportunity to socialize in this manner, he or she has to find something else to entertain them. And barking just may be their idea of a good alternative.

If you do one nice thing for your neighbors, family and friends, learn to control your dog’s barking. You will never totally eliminate it, but having them stop on command is a wonderful thing. Start by making your dog understand that you are boss in the house. Make sure your dog knows you are the alpha figure.

It can take a deal of patience to teach a dog that excessive barking is unacceptable. Be sure to use a distinct command each time you tell the dog to stop barking. If the dog does not stop, the next best thing is to provide a distraction. This can be something as simple as a can filled with stones that you can shake. Once the dog stops barking, be sure to praise the animal. You may want to offer a treat to reinforce the good behavior.

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When you change your life and bring a sweet little puppy into the mix, you must prepare yourself for some interesting behaviours from your beloved pooch…one of the most common and exasperating aspects of your pup’s personality may be the tendency to exhibit possessiveness over objects and food items.

Possessiveness (also known as protectiveness) is usually characterized by aggressive behaviour related to protecting foods bowls and special puppy toys, and it may include nipping, biting, growling and menacing stares…but why do puppies get so possessive, and what can you do about it?

Well, the answer is pretty simple, young dogs operate as creatures of instinct, and they want to ensure that no one else has access to their all-important foods and chew toys; in some cases, puppies may also be testing their owners, to see just how far they can go with their actions.

While puppy possessiveness may not seem too serious to you (you may assume your little pup will “grow out of it”), it’s actually very important to take action in just the right way when the first signs of possessiveness start to appear…by training your little canine pal properly, you can greatly minimize the presence of potentially-dangerous possessiveness and aggression…

Here is what you need to know about dealing with your puppy’s protective behaviour:

Nip It in The Bud – You must handle incidences of puppy aggression in exactly the right way; for example, it’s very important to train your puppy properly as soon as the first signs of possessiveness begin to appear. The best way to handle protectiveness in puppies is to recognize that your young dog is a cousin of the wild wolf, and that he or she will occasionally demonstrate primal behaviour to protect what is his or hers!

Possessiveness is also known as “guarding”, and it’s not necessarily a sign that your dog is displaying classic “dominance” behaviour. To nip passiveness in the bud, don’t let your puppy get away with any protective behaviour; instead of putting up with possessiveness that may lead to painful bites and nips, show your little dog who is boss by using a clever little trick that helps to relax your puppy and make him or her view human behaviour differently.

For example, if your puppy is guarding a beloved bone, bring your young dog another treat or toy while he or she is possessively clinging to his or her chew toy; make your little canine realize that protectiveness is not really necessary. Giving frequent rewards of new items while Fido is guarding old items will make it easier for your pup to let go of possessiveness that may eventually turn into real aggression.

By changing the way your pup thinks about humans and what they will do, you will likely ease puppy protectiveness, and you will be doing it in a kind way that doesn’t hurt or disturb your pet. Stock up on inexpensive toys and healthy puppy treats, and then use them to train your puppy to ease up on his or her own animal instincts. This strategy really works, and it’s such a good way to deal with puppy possessiveness. Before you know it, you’ll probably notice a pronounced lessening of aggression and protectiveness.

Stop Snapping and Biting By Doing a Little Acting – Your puppy is still growing and learning, and he or she definitely needs to hear loud verbal cues when he or she misbehaves; if you’re sick of snapping and nipping (or painful bites), do a little acting and loudly demonstrate your “pain” when you get nipped. Your puppy will soon realize that he or she is causing you real physical distress. Without loud sounds that demonstrate your distressed state of being, your pup may not really make the mental connection that she or she needs to learn that nipping, snaps and biting are bad.

So, get dramatic and use your thespian skills to help your little puppy pal differentiate right from wrong. Making strong, pained noises (rather than speaking) will help you to relate to your pet on his or her own level; it’s also a great way to train your animal friend without hurting or confusing him or her.

As you can see, there are some excellent, and kind, ways to eradicate possessive behaviour in your adored little puppy; while these strategies may not work for every young dog in every household, they will be successful quite often with a wide variety of different puppy breeds. It’s important to show your pet love, care and attention while you train him or her; never hurt your animal with physical punishment, such as kicks, swats or prolonged banishment. Your little puppy is a sensitive creature that is simply learning the ropes of living among human beings; with the right training, it will be possible to reduce or stop puppy possessiveness without scaring or hurting your growing puppy.

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Puppies are subject to feelings of jealousy, just the way human beings are. Often, young dogs give in to the “green-eyed” monster when a new pet or baby is introduced into their lives.

Other common triggers for puppy jealousy include any romantic partners (or BFFs) of beloved owners. In fact, any person or animal that takes an owner’s attention away from his or her young dog may inspire painful puppy emotions that cause a loyal pet to act out.

If you suspect your puppy may be feeling the pinch of jealousy, but you aren’t quite sure if you’re analyzing the situation accurately, there are some important signals to watch for. To help you spot the symptoms of jealousy in puppies, we’ve compiled a helpful quick guide that also includes some tips on dealing with the jealous emotions (and any related negative behaviour) of your loyal canine buddy. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:

Owner Guarding Behaviour – When your puppy spends lots of time interfering with your closeness with another person, he or she may be exhibiting “owner guarding behaviour”. This interference may be accompanied by nipping, growling, biting, or other protective actions.

Owner guarding behaviour is the most common form of puppy jealousy. For example, if you’re hugging a partner or friend, and Fido gets in the middle and tries to “break up” the huddle, he’s probably threatened by your closeness with another person.

While most instances of owner guarding behaviour are quite harmless, there is always the possibility that this type of acting out may turn aggressive or violent. If your young dog is growling, nipping or biting others to keep them away from you, it’s obviously vital to get immediate help from a professional dog trainer or other canine expert. The best way to deal with non-violent owner guarding behaviour is to perceive it as “bad”, rather than praising your puppy for “protecting” you. In other words, it’s really not wise to encourage owner guarding behaviour in any way, as it may snowball into something that you can’t easily control.

Nip this sort of puppy jealousy in the bud by recognizing the symptoms and signals, and then training your young dog to stop coming between you and other people. Verbal disapproval is the ideal way to deliver this message as opposed to physical punishment (hurting a puppy will only make it more disturbed). The earlier you start with puppy training, the better; be kind, yet firm, as you let your canine pal know that owner guarding behaviour is not permitted in the home or out of doors.

More Coping Strategies – Now that you know how puppies react when they are jealous, it’s time to consider some other “coping strategies” for breaking the “puppy jealousy” habit. If your pup is showing signs of guarding behavior around a partner or close friend, it may help to talk to your partner or friend about your dog’s problem. Sometimes, getting a boyfriend, girlfriend or close friend to play with your pup (and to give your dog an occasional treat) can work wonders.

If your partner or friend is willing to help you out, he or she may be able to win your pet’s trust over time, this person may even become yet another wonderful person that your puppy really cares about. Of course, it will take time to convert a puppy’s initial jealousy feelings into warm, loyal and friendly emotions. Patience is the key to success when trying to gain a young dog’s trust.

Protect Newborns and Small Children – If a baby or small child is inspiring the symptoms of puppy jealousy, you must be very careful. Helpless infants must never be left alone with puppies who exhibit guarding behaviour or aggression. In fact, as a rule of thumb, newborns should never be left alone with dogs at all.

To be on the safe side, hire an animal behaviour expert to train your puppy correctly. You must always protect a baby or toddler from a potentially aggressive pet; while the odds of anything bad happening are slim, the possibility of a newborn or small child being hurt by a jealous puppy is always there.

When you’re all together in the same room, try to include your jealous puppy in a little playtime as you interact with your baby or toddler; for example, play a casual game of indoor “fetch” while you also spend time with your little one. This method of giving attention to both “babies” in your family will likely ease any signs of puppy jealousy, and it will also bring baby and puppy closer together. Most puppies do evolve out of their jealousy, and some become incredibly loyal and gentle pals to small children.

As you can see, puppy jealousy is quite common; however, it must be dealt with properly to ensure that everyone remains safe and happy in the home and in public. The right training, along with love and compassion, will usually work wonders.

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If you’ve just gotten an adorable new puppy, you’re probably concerned about setting a schedule for your canine pal; to get started with a practical schedule that works for you and your young dog, you will need to set feeding times, outside times, and nap times that always mesh with your own daily activities and lifestyle. When you set up a sensible day-to-day schedule, your young dog will have his or her needs taken care of while you’re in the home; he or she will also be able to cope when you’re at work or otherwise unavailable.

Luckily, there are some great ways to set a schedule that everyone can live with…here are some tips and tricks that will help you to put your puppy on a logical and organized day-to-day schedule:

Things to Consider

If you’re just starting out with your new pup, remember that he or she is still adjusting to a whole new environment. In other words, your little dog will need some time to get used to your home and to your own personality and habits (and those of any other roommates, family members, and pets).

Since your pup likely came from a breeder, pet store, or shelter, your new canine buddy was probably used to being around other animals (and experiencing plenty of noisy activity at all hours!); now, your puppy must adapt to living with you and leading a whole new lifestyle. Obviously, this is not easy for a very young animal, so do try to be as patient and compassionate as you can while you train Fido in your home.

If you’re kind, firm, and committed to setting a workable daily schedule that is best for you and your puppy, you will see results before too long; however, you should refrain from any training techniques that might seem harsh or disturbing to your young dog. Remember, he or she is going through some very big changes already.

Strategies for Setting a Day-to-day Schedule

Being kind, yet firm, is extremely important, and so is sticking to your own rules and schedule; never deviate from the rules you’ve set, or you won’t succeed in setting the schedule that you and your new puppy need to follow. Starting out as you mean to go on is crucial; for example, if you’re going to be out of the family home all day long after training your puppy, it’s best to give your new pet some alone time each day, so it’s not such a “shock to the system” when you suddenly disappear for long periods of time.

The problem with this strategy is that your new puppy (much like a sweet newborn baby) is completely irresistible; it will be tough to avoid cuddling and playing with him or her when you should be establishing boundaries and reinforcing the concept of “alone time” for your pet.

Try to be strong – remember that giving your puppy this alone time will make it easier for him or her to cope when you’re not there during the day. Stick to your guns and map out a plan that fits your work schedule or busy lifestyle; then, get your puppy used to that schedule right away. As well, make sure that everyone else in your home (including impromptu visitors) adheres to your guidelines.

Strict Feeding Schedules are Very Important

Your young dog should also be fed according to a strict routine; for example, your pup will need early-morning feedings so that he or she may process the food and then go out and do his or her “business”. In order to set a good schedule, plan these feedings for an hour or so (or even two hours) before you usually leave for work, school, or other activities. This way, you’ll have ample time to take care of your canine pal before you leave.

While it’s obviously not fun to get up in the wee hours to take care of your new puppy, it has to be done if you wish to establish guidelines and a workable day-to-day schedule.

Set your three-meal a day schedule for Fido (never forget that your dog will always need access to lots of fresh and pure H20!), and then take your pup out after he or she has a little time to digest meals. This feeding schedule will form the basis for your daily schedule, so choose your times carefully, based on what will be possible when you’re busy with your usual lifestyle.

Have the Right Training Tools on Hand

To make training and setting a daily schedule easier, take the time to collect the right tools for the job. Normally, these tools will include a crate, (for housebreaking, or “potty-training” your young dog), food and water bowls, and a selection of toys, blankets, and safe rawhide bones. Once you’ve collected the right tools and learned how to use them, your adorable little dog will have an easier time learning how to adhere to a regular, day-to-day schedule.

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There are two schools of thought when it comes to explaining the begging behaviour of puppies; the first (and most popular) interpretation of this common canine activity is that it is triggered by pet owners who give their young dogs food scraps in the kitchen (before or after human mealtimes), or feed them treats directly from the dinner table.

The second explanation is that your puppy is simply exhibiting an innate example of pack behaviour; in wild dog packs, an alpha will eat his food first, and then the other dogs will follow suit. If you feed your young dog before you eat, you are sending the message that your puppy is the alpha, and that he or she is in control (versus you being in control).

Whether you give your puppy “human” food before, during or after your own meals, you are definitely contributing to begging behaviour that may include whining and even aggression. To stop the whole tedious process, you must retrain your little pet by teaching him or her that begging won’t result in tasty treats.

When you make an effort to stop rewarding begging with food treats, you’ll break this vicious cycle and help your young dog to understand that begging is no longer a valid strategy. Of course, if you’ve been indulging Fido by giving in to his begging, nipping this bad puppy habit in the bud will not be an overnight process. It will take time to re-orient your pet’s thinking. The best way to speed the process along is by keeping your puppy away from the table, or from any place where humans have gathered to enjoy meals or snacks. Some pet owners choose to purchase puppy crates; these useful square containers are an important facet of effective, successful puppy training.

If you have a crate, you may elect to send your puppy there while you eat; by removing your pet from the equation during your breakfast, lunch or dinner, you will make it easier for him or her to break this annoying and exasperating habit.

Staying firm and exhibiting control is the key to eliminating or reducing puppy begging; however, you don’t need to be mean to get the results that you want…simply order Fido into his crate until you’re done eating. In time, your loyal canine friend will understand that his mealtimes are not the same as yours, and he will adjust. After this understanding has been made you can eliminate sending the puppy to his or her crate during mealtimes.

If this strategy doesn’t work out for you, consider keeping your puppy around while you eat. The best way to make this work is to give your young dog his or her puppy food and water while you’re enjoying your own meals. A dog with his or her own food will be too distracted to worry about what’s being consumed at the “people” table (and how he or she can get some!). Another benefit of this strategy is that all meal prep and clean-up for human and animal meals takes place in one streamlined block of time; feeding everyone at regular intervals is easier and faster than staggering puppy and human mealtimes.

Your puppy will need time to relax his or her stubborn reliance on begging for treats; after all, he or she is likely very strong-willed when it comes to seeking out satisfying food from owners and visitors. Positive reinforcement is a great way to let Fido know that you appreciate any improvements with regard to begging. If your puppy doesn’t beg during your mealtime, reward him or her in a “non-food” way; hugs, petting, playtime, and positive verbal reinforcements (such as, “Good dog!”) are great ways to show your puppy that you appreciate the reduction in begging behaviour.

Obviously, negative reinforcement will also play a role. Swats, grabbing, or any physical punishment is upsetting to puppies, and it may trigger even more acting out on the part of your beloved pet. Be gentle and sweet, but never let down your guard; use crating, meal schedules, and positive reinforcement to retrain Fido fast…

Human beings have to take a large chunk of responsibility for annoying begging behaviour in puppies; it’s important to understand the role your own actions have played in the development of this typical puppy activity. By cutting out your own bad habits (and never giving in to your dog’s imploring eyes, whining noises, and constant prompts to be fed outside of regular mealtimes), you will set the right example, and change the way your dog behaves. Stopping puppy begging may not be a fast or simple procedure, but it will definitely happen in time, as long as you are kind and firm.

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Puppies are not toys. They need your full attention and a lot of training to grow up to be a well-behaved adult dog.

The little fur balls may prefer to spend all of their time with you, but unfortunately, there are times when you have to leave your puppy at home. Do yourself a favor and begin training your puppy to spend some time alone as soon as he or she arrives at your house.

Remember that puppies are social animals and they enjoy the company of others. When left alone, they seek out things to do. This can mean that they chew things they shouldn’t or dig holes in the yard. There are some things you can do to minimize the destructive behavior.

One of the first things you need to do is decide whether you will keep your puppy indoors or outdoors during your absence. Much depends on the area in which you live. In a climate with extreme temperatures, it is definitely best to leave your puppy indoors when you go away so that he or she is not subject to summer’s beating sun or a winter freeze.

If you choose to leave the puppy indoors, you have several options. One is to crate the dog when you are away. Another is to confine the puppy to a room.

It is important to teach the puppy to be settled. It is a good idea to include “quiet moment” training in your puppy’s education. For example, when playing, take a moment to have the puppy settle down by your side while discontinuing the playful behavior.

You may want to take time out of the day when you are home with the puppy to confine the dog. This will help prepare the puppy for the times when you do have to leave home.

Never make a fuss about leaving the puppy alone. This only heightens their anxiety. When it is time to go, just walk out the door. Don’t spend time on goodbyes.

It never hurts to tire the puppy out before departing. Spend 10 or 15 minutes exercising the dog before you prepare to leave home. Be sure to provide chew toys and play toys to entertain the puppy in your absence.

Some folks will leave a radio or television playing while they are gone.

Some puppies find comfort in an old item of your clothing. For example, you may leave them with an old flannel shirt that has your scent. This can provide comfort.

If you choose to leave the puppy outdoors, make sure he or she is protected from the elements. Leave adequate food and water. In summer, provide shade. In winter, provide shelter.

If you know that you will have to be away for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have someone check in on the puppy. This is especially true with very young dogs that do not yet have a lot of bladder or bowel control.

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You’ve been away all day. You’re looking forward to nuzzling the small fur ball and lavishing attention to make up for your absence.

Stop! Rethink the situation. Lavishing a lot of attention could backfire. The puppy can become excited. It may choose to try to jump up on you to return the attention. This can be the start of a very bad jumping habit.

Consider a pack of wolves where it is common for the dominant or alpha members of the pack to leave to go hunting. When the hunting wolves return, the rest of the pack will usually attempt to lick the muzzle of the more dominant wolves. In general, the alpha wolves usually choose to ignore the underlings. This is really about re-establishing the pack hierarchy.

The same phenomenon occurs when a puppy’s owner leaves and returns. The good news is that you can train your puppy to curtail his or her excitement, thus eliminating unwanted jumping and slobbering.
If you immediately bend to the whim of your puppy, you are establishing yourself as a follower and not a leader. It is important that humans maintain their alpha position.

The following suggestions can help you train your puppy to behave in the manner you expect.

First, make sure your puppy understands and heeds the “sit” command. By having the puppy sit in a controllable manner when you arrive home, you are maintaining control and don’t have to worry about shredded pantyhose or muddy trousers.

Start the no jumping training at the door you are most likely to use as an entrance and exit. Enter your home as you normally would. If your puppy jumps up on you, immediately turn and walk away. Do not acknowledge the puppy in any way.

Wait until the puppy gives up on the jumping endeavor to interact with him or her. Instruct the puppy to sit. Now you can give your praise and perhaps offer a treat. If repeated, this simple exercise can make a big difference in how your puppy reacts when you return home.

Next, it is important to reinforce the no jumping rule for visitors. One way is to use a long leash. Hook it to the puppy when you are expecting company. When the puppy runs toward the visitor, use the leash to bring the dog to a stop. Make the puppy sit.

Urinating as a result of being excited is another common behavioral problem. While it is most common among puppies, it does happen with adult dogs too.

Most puppies do outgrow the excitement urination phase. However, until that happens, you must not show anger because the puppy probably has no idea that he or she is doing something wrong.

The best thing is to refrain from exciting the puppy any more than necessary. Don’t make a fuss when you walk in the door. Avoid eye contact with the puppy. Be calm. Return to your normal activities until the puppy settles down. Reward the puppy for being calm.

Your guests will appreciate the fact that your puppy is well-behaved and mannerly.

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I was at the pet store the other day when I noticed bags of litter for dogs. I thought I had heard of everything, but that turned out to be a new one to me.

After chuckling over the absurdity of the idea – after all, litter boxes are for cats – I found myself returning to the thought several times throughout the day. And the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.

Litter boxes can actually be quite beneficial to dogs, especially small ones whose tiny bladders don’t have the holding capacity that larger dogs do. Having a litter box just might make good health sense.

In addition, dogs that use litter boxes may be a little easier to travel with. No more frightful stops along the road where tractor trailer rigs threaten to blow you to Kansas as they speed by.

If the idea of a dog litter box sounds like it might work for you, here are a few things to keep in mind. Obviously, the first order of business is to buy a litter box. Some folks opt to use large cat litter boxes. There are also manufacturers that sell litter boxes that are designed for use by dogs.

The next step is to decide what type of litter you will use. Some people prefer newspapers or absorbent urine pads. There are companies that manufacture litter especially for dogs. Some use cat litter. All will work.

Once the dog is trained to use the litter box, you will need to empty it frequently to keep unwanted odors from invading your home. Some people prefer to scoop the urine-soaked litter and feces directly into a trash bag headed for an outdoor trash receptacle.

A diaper pail can save you a lot of footsteps. Instead of making frequent trips to the outdoor trash can, line a diaper pail with a plastic bag and scoop the doggie waste into it. Most diaper pails seal so that odors cannot escape.

In addition to interior litter boxes, there are those that are designed for outdoor use in areas such as the porch or patio. These are merely boxes about four inches in height that hold a removable perforated tray that can be filled with synthetic grass, gravel or real sod. The outdoor setups, which come in multiple sizes, allow urine to drain through a layer of odor-absorbing cat litter.

Litter boxes are not ideal for all dogs. Finding a place for a box big enough to handle large-breed dogs can be an obstacle.

If you decide that a litter box is right for your dog, keep in mind that it will be more difficult to teach a dog to use it than it is to teach a cat. Positive reinforcement and perseverance are the keys to success.

You will most likely have an easier time training a puppy to use a litter box than an older dog, so be prepared when you bring the puppy home for the first time.

Related posts:

1. Selecting a Healthy Puppy From the Litter
2. Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?