Bite Inhibition

 Bite inhibition is an important behavior that is often misunderstood. Owners frequently make the mistake of immediately trying to prevent their puppies from any and all types of mouthing. However, doing this never allows the puppy to learn how "hard" is too "hard". If a dog that has never been taught proper bite inhibition does become injured or frightened and react with a bite, the force of the bite is more likely to break the skin and cause damage.

 Puppies that are first taught how to gradually inhibit the force of their play-bites until they are only gently mouthing and then introduced to the concept of "no bite" are much less likely to break the skin or cause any damage in case of a bite.

Socialization with People

 Beginning at 5 weeks old, all puppies will benefit from positive people experiences.

 Puppies that are well socialized to people tend to be more confident and friendly. Unsocialized dogs have a more difficult time in life and suffer stress from being handled by strangers. Veterinarian and animal behaviorist, Ian Dunbar recommends that all puppies should meet a minimum of 100 strangers during their first month in a new home.

 We encourage new puppy owners to schedule their first veterinary visit at a time when the puppy does not require any painful or uncomfortable procedures to be done. We suggest that you visit the office several days early just to have a "get acquainted" opportunity. The puppy can meet and play with the staff, be placed up on the exam table, fed treats, and leave the office wanting more.

Socialization with Other Dogs

 Puppy classes are often the safest, most effective way to begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs outside his own little world. Play fighting and play biting help to ensure a puppy develops good bite inhibition. Classes offer a controlled way to help a puppy learn to enjoy other dogs. Most puppy classes have an age requirement to ensure that all of the students are at a similar developmental stage.

 Dog parks can be good socialization areas once puppies are safely immunized and able to enter them. Long walks in parks provide another opportunity to socialize a puppy with other dogs and people.

Household Manners

Training in this area should begin as soon as the puppy comes home. Management is the key to teaching the puppy appropriate activities before undesirable behaviors become established. These important skills include:

1. Housetraining

Prevention is the key. Feed the puppy at specific times so that it will be possible to predict when the puppy will need to eliminate. Supervise, supervise, and supervise. This can include tethering the puppy in the room with you. All puppies should be taken out at regular intervals during the day including after eating, after sleeping, after playing or anytime that the puppy is observed sniffing around.

When the puppy cannot be directly supervised it is imperative that the puppy be confined in a puppy-proof area. For short periods of time this can be a crate with a blanket and chew-toy.

During longer periods it is recommended that the puppy be provided with a long-term confinement area where the puppy has access to his crate, toys, water, and an appropriate elimination area.

Photo from "Before You Get Your Puppy"

2. Chew-toy Training

From day one, owners should help their puppies learn the joys of chewing on appropriate items. Chew toys are different from regular toys in that they are not edible and are virtually indestructible. Kongs, sterilized long bones, and Busy Buddy toys are some of the toys that fit this description. These toys are all hollow and can be stuffed with the puppy's food and/or treats to keep them entertained for long periods of time.

Almost as important as providing the puppy with acceptable toys, is not allowing them to pick up the wrong items. This includes picking up all shoes, socks, and other items that would prove tempting to a puppy.

3. Alternative to Barking

Teach the puppy that barking is not a way to get attention, toys, food, etc. Instead, begin to teach your puppy that quiet gets attention and rewards. Begin by sitting next to the crate, and treating your puppy for quiet time while ignoring the barking or crying. (Ignoring means that you do not make eye contact, nor do you speak to the puppy.)
This applies in almost all situations.  If the doorbell rings, teach your puppy to sit, be quiet and calm (with treats) before answering the door.  Before going on walks- sit and be calm and we will go for a walk. 

We are trying to teach your pet to say "Please" instead of demanding attention.

Puppies that are kept busy with chew-toys do not bark or cry.

Learning to Stay Home Alone

In today's busy society, it is important that pets learn to stay home alone without becoming anxious. This is something that every owner should begin to teach their pet from early on. Many owners bring their puppy home over the weekend and then make the mistake of lavishing great amounts of attention upon their new pet. On Monday they go back to work and the puppy is suddenly abandoned to keep himself occupied. This can cause a great amount of unnecessary distress. Instead, puppies need to be placed into their crate or safe area on a regular basis to become accustomed to confinement. Owners should do this even when they are home so that they have an opportunity to observe how the puppy reacts. Chew toys and positive reinforcement with treats will help the pet relate being confined with good things.

Technicians have an opportunity to help educate clients about what to expect from a new puppy. This can help ensure that the puppy becomes a valued family member rather than an out-of-control animal with bad behavior.

Handling Behavior Problems

Many of the problem behaviors that owners report are actually normal dog behaviors expressed in ways and at times unacceptable to people. Therefore, it is important that owners understand some basic principles to modifying a behavior before they attempt to change it.

1.  Preventing problem behavior is always much easier than correcting one that has become established. Remember: The behavior that is rewarded will increase. Your job is to recognize and reward those behaviors you want to encourage.

2.  Managing Behavior: Some behavior problems will come up, no matter how careful an owner is. The most important thing you can do is to recognize a potential problem and prevent it from becoming a habit. This can be done by controlling the environment to decrease the potential for your dog to have the misbehavior rewarded. Remember: The behavior that is rewarded will increase.

3.  Restricting the dog's freedom to the house is the first step in any management program. If you are able to consistently interrupt any misbehavior or place the dog in a secure area where he is denied the opportunity to misbehave, half of the battle is over. 

4.  Other ways to manage the environment include: picking up shoes, clothes, and other unacceptable chew objects until your dog has learned to leave them alone. We also recommend crating the dog, using baby gates to deny him access to visitors, using a head halter or no pull harness until your dog learns not to pull, putting food and trash cans away to prevent stealing. Many of these are not solutions, but measures to prevent the problems from occurring until the dog has been trained.

5.  Identify the Motivation: If the behavior that is rewarded will increase, it is then apparent that there must be a reward involved in any misbehavior that occurs. To stop a behavior, owners must understand what the dog find motivating about it. Sometimes it is very easy to know why a dog does something--Jumping on people for attention. Other times it can be more difficult. A dog may bark to go outside, to get attention or to make the mailman go away. It may take a little detective work on the owner's part to understand the motivation and accompanying reward.

6.  Interrupt and Remove Reward: Once the reason for a behavior has been identified, it becomes easier to prevent the dog from receiving the reinforcing reward. This can be achieved in several different ways. They include:

a.  Ignoring the behavior

b.  Training an incompatible behavior (redirecting to an acceptable behavior)

c.  Providing the dog with an alternate outlet for the behavior

d.  Exercise (both mental and physical)

e.  Watch for your dog to do something right and reward

f.  NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free)

Reference Sheet for Problem Solving

Refer to the chart below for example of several techniques to manage and solve a variety of behavior problems. Keep in mind that it is important to understand the motivation for a behavior before you attempt to change that behavior.

Summary

 Technicians can play a key role in helping new puppy owners understand the importance of preventing or modifying unwanted behaviors.

 Technicians who are able to educate clients about what to expect from a new puppy can help ensure that the puppy becomes a valued family member rather than an out-of-control animal with bad behavior.

References

1.  Before You Get Your Puppy Ian Dunbar, James & Kenneth Publishers, 2001

2.  After You Get Your Puppy Ian Dunbar, James & Kenneth Publishers, 2001

3.  Puppy Primer Brenda Scidmore & Patricia McConnell, Dog's Best Friend, 1996