10  Dog and Puppy Problem Behaviors

Housebreaking Accidents
Using the bathroom in the house is a time-honored tradition in the puppy world. But, there is hope for your pup. With positive reinforcement for using the potty outside, and vigilance combined with crate training to prevent indoor mishaps, your pup will be housetrained in no time. For those unavoidable accidents, be sure to clean thoroughly with a odor neutralizer, or your pup will seek out that spot again.

Digging
Digging is a common problem for dog owners. Most dogs dig out of boredom and frustration, so make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise, mental stimulation and affection. If your pooch tends to target a specific area, try burying some of its own feces in the spot, or bury chicken wire to create an unpleasant sensation.

Some dogs were just born to dig. Terriers, in particular, were bred to tunnel after verminit's hard to fight genetics. The best you can do is supply a soft-earthed digging spot in your backyard and teach your digging dog that this is the proper place to expend that excess energy. Terrier owners recommend building a sandbox, then burying tasty treats to encourage your dog to dig there, instead of your flower garden.

Nipping
Ouch! Those puppy teeth hurt. Most puppies nip, so it's your job to teach them to control that bite. Littermates will teach each other some bite restraint hard biters are not popular playmates but you'll have to expand on that learning once pup is in your home.

When pup nips, say, "Ow!" in a voice loud enough to startle it. Make the pitch lower if your exclamation seems to provoke more nipping. Give the pup love when the nips stop. Another method is to gently push your fingers farther into the pup's mouth when it nips. It will not like this sensation and quickly associates nipping with an unpleasant feeling.

Barking
If you've ever lived next door to a barking dog, you know how aggravating this behavior is. Like digging, most dogs bark out of boredom and frustration. The best way to address the problem is provide more exercise, more mental games and more attention. For protective dogs that bark at even innocuous trespassers (like that squirrel crossing the garden), teach the enough command after the alert bark.

Jumping Up
Ack! Some dogs are chronic jumping beans. It seems that whatever you do, you just can't keep them down. There are many tricks to tackling this problem, but most importantly, never encourage your pup to jump. Really, that pouncing puppy won't miraculously stop jumping at adulthood! Keep greetings low key and squat to pup's level when saying hi. Ask all your guests to do this, too. If pup continues to jump up, simply ignore it until the jumping stops, then lavish your now-calm pup with affection. Attention, even negative, reinforces this behavior.

Running Away
Some breeds are prone to roaming. Step one to avoiding a pup with wander just get it neutered. This can do wonders to stop a roaming male. Other ways to discourage your canine traveler: Teach a diehard reliable recall; never, ever chase your dog; provide it with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation; and, if all else fails, invest in a foolproof fence.

Chewing
Oh, those canine chompers! They'll be the death of pet owners, yet. It's amazing how much destruction those tiny teeth have wrought. No. 1 rule for discouraging chewing: Provide lots of super fun chew toys. Make sure they are toys your pup likes. If it doesn't like plush toys, offer a rope toy or nylon bone. If that doesn't work, get serious with a peanut butter-filled Kong, knucklebone or pig hoof. When you catch pup gnawing on no-chew items, simply remove the item with a firm, calm "no," then offer one of pup's chew toys with a "good dog" when it accepts it. 

Pulling on Leash
Unfortunately, pups with this problem often do not receive enough exercise. Even if they do get walks, both owner and pooch are frustrated with their blocks-long battles.

Accustom your pup to being on a leash right away. Teach it that a loose leash is rewarded with forward movement and that pulling only gets it stuck in one spot. When pup pulls, stop. If pup continues to pull, turn around and walk in another direction. Be consistent with this, and your dog will quickly learn what behavior is rewarded with a pleasurable excursion.

For pups that continue to pull, try a head halter. The head halter will simply turn the dog around when it tries to pull. As an added benefit, the head halter exerts pressure on the top of the snout, which calms dogs and even decreases aggression.

Dog-dog Aggression
Socialize is the word of the day! Once dog aggression is established, it's difficult to train it away. Prevent aggression from the start by socializing your pup with dogs of all types, sizes and ages. A pup with plenty of non-threatening, fun and safe canine experiences will usually love other dogs. Don't let your pup pick up on your stress when meeting other dogs. Keep the leash slack and be jolly.

Getting on Furniture
Establish furniture rules from the start and be consistent. If you don't want your puppy on your furniture as an adult, don't allow it on furniture as a pup: This is the key to fur-free furniture. If pup sneaks up onto furniture, simply lift it off with a firm "no," and place it on the floor, then reward with affection and a treat or toy.