Puppies are some of the most adorable pets to keep, no matter where you live. Their infectious energy keeps everyone on their toes and in a good mood. With excessive cuteness comes naughty behavior. Remember that patience is key if this is the first time you’re keeping a puppy as a pet. By properly training them from a young age, your puppy will soon learn the basic house rules, and the possibility of them developing behavior problems will decrease.
Here, we have a list of different puppy behaviors that are completely normal but must be dealt with at an early age; otherwise, these habits will continue till adulthood.
New puppies have a tendency to nip or slightly bite their new pet owners. This is completely normal behavior for a new pup and should not be considered a threat as they don’t bite to cause harm. Young puppies communicate using their mouths and teeth and can be considered a sign of playfulness.
However, nipping could be a potential sign of anxiety, fear, or aggression. As a pet owner, you can send a message to your pup by making “ouch” sounds and expressing pain using facial features. Your puppy will soon pick up on nipping and biting is “bad” and stop the behavior. Teaching your puppy how to respond to “No” is a crucial step in dog training.
You must’ve noticed this behavior if you’ve had a dog before, but if this is the first time you have a pet puppy, you will most likely witness your dog eating its poop at a certain point. This is common puppy behavior, and dogs do this for various reasons.
This could be their way of cleaning the mess, so they don’t have to face negative consequences, or they could eat it out of curiosity. For dogs, eating their poop is a natural response to tackling nutritional deficiency. If you notice your pup eating its poop, you can try feeding it dry puppy food from a young age, so it doesn’t turn into a permanent habit.
Puppies love to dig and get their paws dirty – this may their way of trying to track animals or making the perfect spot for them to lay in. It has been observed that some puppy breeds begin digging the ground if they have to eliminate themselves. If you notice this behavior inside the house or see your puppy digging the floor in a corner, that’s your cue to take your dog outside. This is a helpful tip for when you begin potty training your pup.
Another way of ensuring that your puppy stops digging the floor or your backyard is by getting a comfortable doggy-bed or sleeping mat.
Puppies have a knack for chewing on anything they can find around the house, whether they are shoes, cushions, leashes, etc. This is an extremely normal display of behavior as the puppy goes through its teething phase.
They do this to make their teeth stronger and helps them relieve the pain they experience during the teething process. To prevent your puppy from chewing on different objects, you can get a chew toy that they can play with and chew on.
Barking is typically considered a protective reflex for puppies. Puppies usually bark at strangers and at people and animals they see as a threat. This normal behavior for puppies can turn into an issue if the barking persists.
Therefore, it is extremely important for puppies to have dog-to-dog and dog-to-human socialization from an early stage. Try making your dog meet your neighbors and friends, and take them to the dog park to meet more dogs its size.
Tail-chasing and running in circles may look fun and cute when puppies do it, but there could be an underlying health condition your dog may be suffering from. Typically, ear infections cause a puppy to compulsively run around in circles. This health issue is common among bull terriers.
There could be more severe problems, such as the risk of poisoning and possible brain tumors. If your puppy can’t stop tail-chasing, you should take your pet to the vet for an immediate checkup so they can determine the cause.
You may mistake your dog’s constant yawning for being tired and sleepy. It’s possible that your puppy may want to nap, but repetitive yawning can be a sign for something else too. Fear and stress can often result in your puppy yawning in front of new people.
If you notice this happening, try not to rush the introduction, as it can put your puppy under more stress. Let your puppy get used to the new person’s presence and let it judge the vibe on its own. Forced introductions are never a good idea, and this can make your dog develop aggressive tendencies.
Having a little puppy is similar to having a child. You have to treat it with love, kindness, patience, and lots of positive reinforcements – even when they make a mess around the house. Your new puppy will try to communicate with you in different ways, like nipping, digging, barking, and chewing. To know how to train your pup properly it’s important to understand their behavior first and adjust the training techniques accordingly.
With regular training, socialization, and positive reinforcements, your puppy will soon learn how to be the perfect house dog. If you notice any changed behavior don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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