Correcting Bad Habits (continued..)
Puppies frequently get into wastebaskets and enjoy scattering and tearing up paper. Coming into the room after the puppy has had his fun with the wastebasket and scolding him is futile. You may feel better because you expressed your anger, but the puppy does not associate the scolding with the act. Until the puppy outgrows his wastebasket curiosity, it’s easier to keep wastebaskets out of his reach.
At mealtime, a puppy can look very appealing and family members are sometimes
tempted to give him food from the table as a treat. This may be the start of two
bad habits: the making of a finicky eater who refuses to eat his regular diet
and the begging dog who disrupts mealtime and may even try to take food from the
table. Choose a good quality nutritionally complete food for your puppy and always have fresh drinking water in a clean bowl available.
When a puppy jumps on visitors or climbs all over people, this behaviour is often dismissed as “cute” or “friendly as a puppy.” However, it does not remain cute or friendly as the puppy matures. Teach the dog to sit when someone enters the house. When the puppy sits, reward him with lots of praise.
Establish a command for each behaviour problem such as “off” when the puppy jumps on furniture. Repeat this same command each time and you will soon break him of this bad habit.
If your puppy barks excessively while you are at home, he is probably not getting enough attention.
Play with him, take him for walks and praise him for good behaviour. Your love and attention will bring out the best in your puppy.
|
