You’ve prepared for months to bring home an adorable puppy—now your best friend. There’s a cute water bowl for him to drink in, a ceramic plate for snacks and kibble, and a small collar with a little bell on it. He has a cute name he responds to, and so you play and cuddle as you wish.

Unfortunately, the unexpected has happened. They’ve now turned into a little menace, wreaking havoc in various corners of the home. They chew, bite, and even engage in rough play. Correcting their behaviour early on is paramount, especially when it comes to the things they can or cannot do.

Welcoming a new pet companion into your life means setting up consistent rules, as this helps both of you live harmoniously. This will also help you keep them and other people safe from harm, particularly when it comes to activities like dog boarding and grooming, where strangers will be tasked with handling them.

To help guide you through your pet’s pesky behaviours, we’ve created this quick guide for you:

Biting

Puppies have extremely sharp teeth and they will use them! Playing will likely involve biting and mouthing, but discouraging them early on is key. Failing to fix them early on can lead to devastating consequences, such as actual bite attacks. Whenever you’re playing, make sure to cry and yell “ouch” when they nip you. This will likely startle them enough to stop. Once they do, make sure to praise him through pats or a treat.

After this, hand them a toy they can play with for nipping or biting. Should their teeth sink into your skin, however, make sure not to pull away. Cry loudly so they stop to look at you. Once released from the bite, praise him. Doing this lets them know that not biting is the “good” thing.

Chewing

Chewing is part of a dog’s nature, a habit further emphasized during the teething days. Unfortunately, they can end up chewing more than just their designated toys. Before you know it, you’ll have destroyed table legs, cushions, leather shoes, and even baseboards. Your puppy will chew whatever they can get their paws on, which is why it’s important to direct them towards the appropriate items.

If you see them chewing on an item, make sure to sternly say “No!” and remove the item away. As a replacement, give him a chew toy. This will let him know that toys are meant for chewing, whereas everything else needs to be left alone. Chewing will likely persist, but make sure to remain consistent with your words and actions.

Rough Play

Playing is an important part of a puppy’s life, but sessions can quickly become rough and dangerous. Left as is, your dog can become vicious as they grow. Make sure to never encourage your puppy to play with your leg, arm, and hand. They may end up hurting someone else, such as a small child.

When rough playing starts, teach the “Drop it!” command. Make sure to stop pulling as you do so. Get up and leave should they persist, as this will let them know that you control the game. In time, they’ll learn how to play by your rules—which leaves no room for rough playing!

Invest in Dog Training in Brandon, MB

Having a puppy by your side to grow with can be an exciting experience, especially since he can grow up to be as loyal and loving as you are to him. As your new furry companion, you’ll have time to play at the park, cuddle, and play. You also need to discipline and train them in the same system, however, as anything else will cause them to develop pesky habits you won’t be able to get rid of! Make sure to keep this guide in mind!

For training, boarding, and dog grooming in Brandon, Manitoba, The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre has you covered. We love what we do—and that’s to love your pet too—so we’re here to help you train, groom, and take care of your best friend. Reach out to us today!