C.J. Braden • 2 Minute Read
Solving Common Puppy Problems
Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting things. After all, they become part of the family. Dogs are always there for you in the dark, when you’re sad, when you have anything to work through and want to take a walk. They’re your best friend if you let them be. But, in the early days, puppies have their fair share of problems.
Cute puppies still have to learn how to behave
After all, these little puppies need to learn the ins and outs of your life - they have to learn where they fit in and put some of those animal instincts to rest. Here are a few common puppy problems and how to solve them.
Puppies are cute but they do have common issues to work on
Barking and Yelping
Imagine going from the warmth of a pack and your mom to a new place with new sounds and new people. It is a lot for a little pup to go through. Barking is normal for dogs; it is how they communicate - but they can be trained to bark less, or only when there is something you need to be aware of.
Puppies can learn when to bark and when not to
If you shout at the dog for barking, you are effectively barking at them for barking. Now you are both barking. Instead, teach them to be calm by being calm. Once they stop barking and settle down, give them positive attention.
Puppies can develop anxiety if not trained properly
Clingy Pup
Dogs are social creatures and will want to be with you as much as possible. Teaching them to be okay when you are not around is essential for them to not destroy things through anxiety when you are gone. Baby gates and crates are great starting points to help your dog adjust to having time apart. It shouldn’t be for countless hours each day, but start with a few minutes and then lengthen it.
So long as they have everything they need in the space they are in and are safe - you should start training them to be alone for a while as early as possible.
We use crates and dog gates in our home. We even designed and built a folding dog gate that is also cat friendly. Here’s our one minute YouTube tutorial video for our DIY Folding Dog Gate. Get the full project here on our site by clicking this link.
Potty training is a part of owning a puppy
Toilet Training
Pups will have accidents, but they, too, want to live somewhere that is clean. Puppy pads by the door and having a regular routine of getting up and putting them out in the garden for a wee or a walk is important. We used a giant washable puppy pad in our puppy’s crate and play pen. It wonderfully protected our wood floors.
Accidents on the carpet might smell, so once you have toilet training down for the pup, call in pet urine removal specialists to take care of it.
Biting and Chewing
Chewing, mouthing, and biting are normal behaviors for a dog. They will chew happily on toys, shoes, and furniture. You need to teach them that toys are good to chew and shoes are bad. In the early days of owning a puppy, you can puppy-proof things by restricting access. Always make sure that there are toys just for the dog to play with.
If your puppy bites you, stop playing. This will give them the signal that biting isn’t good behavior and will stop their fun. Keep your pup mentally stimulated, and when you notice that your puppy is getting ready to play, throw a toy their way.
And one final thing is to make sure that your pup is used to being clean; here is how to make the most of that: Elevated DIY Dog Wash Station.
What are some ways you solved your puppy problems? Tell us your tips and tricks in the comments section below!
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.