10 common Puppy Problems

You have been putting it off. The children having been pleading for a Puppy. Your partner has been on the children's side. Now, finally, you're finally at a place when your family can get their Furbaby. The joy and excitement is quickly overshadowed by problems. What have you gotten yourself into? Raising a Puppy comes with a variety of challenges, but with the right approach, most problems can be effectively managed.

Here are 10 common Puppy problems and their solutions

Toilet Accidents:

Just like Human Babies, Puppies often have accidents inside the house.

Establish a consistent routine, take your puppy outside frequently (especially after eating, drinking, and waking up), and reward them for eliminating outside. Use crate training to help manage their schedule and prevent accidents. Remember, patience will get you and your Puppy through this stage.

Chewing:

Puppies will chew on everything and anything. Whether it's your furniture, shoes, socks and even your walls.

Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys and supervise your puppy to redirect their chewing behaviour to acceptable items. Puppy-proof your home by keeping valuable and dangerous items out of reach. It's especially important to keep your favourite shoes away.

Biting and Nipping

Puppies bite and nip during play. Your Puppy will use its mouth like a toddler will use their hands. Unlike, your toddlers hands, Puppies have very pointy and sharp teeth.

Teach bite inhibition by yelping or saying "ouch" when your puppy bites too hard, then stop playing for a moment. When a Puppy is in a litter, they often yelp when one of their siblings nip too hard. This teaches lets them know, that is too hard and they don't like it. Offer chew toys to redirect their biting behaviour and encourage gentle play.

Jumping Up

Puppies jump on people for attention. They also get very excited over the smallest of things. By jumping and waving your arms, that teaches your Puppy it's a game, and Puppies love games.

Ignore the jumping behaviour, turn your back on the jumping Puppy and keep your arms by your side. Only give attention when your puppy has all four paws on the ground. Teach an alternative behaviour, like sitting, to greet people.

Separation Anxiety

Puppies become anxious and destructive when left alone. Separation Anxiety for Pets in general came to a head, after the Pandemic. With Lock-downs many Furbabies became accustomed to the family always being home. Once we re-opened many a Furbaby was suddenly at home alone.

Gradually acclimate your puppy to being alone by leaving them for short periods and gradually increasing the time. Use a crate or safe area to confine them and provide interactive toys to keep them occupied.

Excessive Barking

Puppies bark excessively at noises, people, other animals or nothing at all.

Identify the cause of barking and work on desensitization and counterconditioning. Teach a "quiet" command and reward your puppy for staying calm and quiet.

Pulling on the Leash

Puppies pull on the leash during walks.

Use positive reinforcement to teach loose-leash walking. Stop walking when your puppy pulls and only move forward when the leash is slack. Reward your puppy for walking beside you.

Resource Guarding

Puppies growl or snap when someone approaches their food, toys, or other valued items.

Work on desensitization by approaching your puppy while they have a valued item and offering high-value treats. Gradually increase your proximity and duration to help your puppy associate people approaching with positive experiences.

Not Coming When Called

Puppies ignore recall commands.

Use high-value treats and enthusiastic praise to make coming when called a positive experience. Practice recall in a variety of environments and gradually increase the level of distractions.

Fearfulness

Puppies are afraid of new people, places, or experiences.

Gradually expose your puppy to new stimuli in a controlled and positive manner. Use treats and praise to build positive associations and help your puppy gain confidence. Socialization classes and controlled playdates with other puppies can also be beneficial.

By addressing these common Puppy problems with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can really enjoy the wonderful times that having a Puppy can bring, whilst helping your Puppy develop into a well-behaved and confident adult Dog.