This is an exciting time for you and your puppy. The sparkle in your children's eyes when they see their new puppy is priceless, is it not? Just think of the hours of fun and play they will bring to each other!
But there are a few things that will still be a bit of a challenge - especially in the first couple of months. There will be some puppy training issues that will need to dealt with. And the earlier you can train your little puppy, the more you will be able to enjoy him/her later on.
Those little puppy teeth can sure be sharp! When puppies play together they naturally bite and mouth each other. This is not an issue for them since their skin is thick and it causes them no discomfort whatsoever.
But it is an issue for us! When you are teaching them to socialize with humans, this is not the kind of behavior that is acceptable. And even though this kind of biting is cute when the dog is still small, it stops being cute when they bigger. Getting a handle on this 'biting reflex' is an important initial step in training the little puppy.
First of all, have the puppy socialize with other puppies if at all possible. Puppies do bite each other as they roll and play and this also happens to be the best way to train the puppy out of their biting habit - especially if they are playing with already socialized dogs. The group will mildly correct the puppy if it becomes overly aggressive while playing. The group will slowly but surely teach the young one to suppress the biting habit.
The behaviors your puppy learns when socializing with other dogs also teaches the puppy not to be afraid of other dogs. Puppies that do not have the chance to socialize with other dogs will tend to be more hyperactive and tend to develop fearful and aggressive habits. An insufficiently socialized dog will tend to react aggressively in a new and unfamiliar environment.
And additionally, your puppy should be socialized with adults and children in order to become a member of the household and neighborhood. Introduce your puppy to both adults and children. Help them to make the distinction between those who are their owners and between other people.
The most effective time to train your puppy to be socialized is when they are 3 months old or younger. This is when they catch on the fastest. This early training is even more important when dealing with breeds that are known to be less passive.
Getting the puppy to trust you is key to training your puppy not to bite. Never strike your puppy, this will not help them to trust and respect you. In fact it will only cause them to fear and distrust you, and the confused little puppy won't really understand what he/she did wrong. This will be counterproductive to effectively training your puppy.
Train your puppy early - when they catch on the fastest. The sooner you start the training the sooner you will be able to fully enjoy your new puppy.
Tony Buel Free Puppy to Good Home
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If you train your puppy right you will get much more enjoyment from them in the long run. |
