Welcoming a furry family member into your home is a joyful and transformative experience. And training your new puppy is a crucial aspect of integrating them into your family.
Proper training not only alleviates stress in your home but also prevents and addresses unwanted behaviors while helping your puppy acclimate to various environments and social settings.
Here are 10 common behaviors to look out for in your new puppy, and how addressing them can strengthen bonds and ensure a happy, healthy relationship:
- Excessive Barking: Barking is a natural way for puppies to communicate. If it becomes incessant, however, it can signal boredom or anxiety. Puppy kindergarten classes and additional training can provide new dog owners with insight and understanding while simultaneously addressing the underlying causes of the barking.
- Chewing: Puppies explore the great, big world around them through their mouths. Still, excessive chewing can indicate teething discomfort or a need for more mental and physical stimulation. Introducing appropriate chew toys and activities can help to redirect this potentially problematic behavior.
- Jumping Up: Initially endearing, your pup’s leaps and bounds can become bothersome – particularly as your dog grows. Teaching manners and the proper ways to greet guests politely is key.
- Nipping or Biting: This behavior, while standard in play, should be managed early to prevent future aggression. Training helps establish boundaries and appropriate ways for puppies to express their playfulness.
- Pulling on a Leash: As your dog grows, pulling can make walks with your best pal less enjoyable. Professional trainers can instruct you and your dog in proper leash etiquette, ensuring pleasant and safe walks for both puppy and owner.
- Separation Anxiety: Manifested through whining or destructive behavior when left alone, anxiety can be distressing for the entire family. Professionals, like those at Paws & Play Pet Resort, can provide you with strategies to ease anxiety and promote independence.
- Refusal to Respond to Basic Commands: Understanding and following basic commands – like “sit” or “stay” – is vital for your new puppy’s safety. Training reinforces these commands, enhancing communication between you and your pet.
- Food Guarding: Defending one’s food, while common, can occasionally escalate to more serious forms of aggression. Providing lessons in a safe environment helps to address and correct this behavior.
- Fearfulness: Timidity towards people or other animals may require gentle exposure and positive associations, which can be effectively addressed through courses at Paws & Play.
- Potty Training: Consistency and patience are key here. Training helps establish a routine, making the house-training process smoother for both the puppy and the owner.
Paws & Play Pet Resort in Tuckahoe, NY, offers a variety of training options, including puppy kindergarten. Programs like our Stay & Train and Play & Train options, along with group training classes, help pet owners address behaviors to look out for in a new puppy while providing a safe and secure environment for your dog to learn and grow.
Our training philosophy is based on dog-friendly techniques and positive reinforcement. Our trainers focus on the individual needs of each puppy to ensure they develop into well-adjusted, happy dogs. Training not only improves behavior but also strengthens the bond between you and your pet, setting the foundation for lifelong companionship.
If your new puppy is displaying any of these behaviors, or if you simply want to give them the best start in life, consider a training program at Paws & Play Pet Resort. Contact us today to learn more and take the first step towards a rewarding journey with your newest family member.