That adorable new puppy just chewed a not-so-adorable hole in your sofa. Maybe you’re down to just one pair of shoes that haven’t been destroyed by that furry little bundle of joy. Or perhaps you feel you’ve cleaned up enough puppy poop to last a lifetime. Whatever your training dilemma is, applying proper discipline is key to stopping unwanted behavior.
Many experts offer differing — and often conflicting — ideas about how to discipline a puppy. It can be difficult to decide which method is best. However, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind when disciplining your new best friend.
Some Methods Instill Fear in Puppies
Hitting or shaking your puppy is never a good idea. While it may stop the unwanted behavior temporarily, it will also teach your puppy to be afraid of people. In addition to causing your puppy to avoid you, it can also teach your puppy to be aggressive toward humans in general.
If you hit your puppy and then later reach out to pet him, all he will associate with your hand coming toward him is fear. Instead, choose a method of discipline that encourages proper behavior through rewards and discourages unwanted behavior by startling your puppy with a loud noise, such as shaking a can full of pennies.
Caught in the Act
If you walk up on a mess made by your puppy and your puppy is not in sight, this is not the time to try and teach him a lesson. Unless you can correct the unwanted behavior AS IT IS TAKING PLACE, your efforts will be in vain.
If you drag your puppy over to a mess he made earlier and tell him “NO,” he will likely not understand what he did wrong.
Instead, reserve discipline for when you catch him in the act. Keep some type of noisemaker handy. Pet stores and online pet supply sites sell special whistles for this purpose. Equally effective is the aforementioned can of pennies, a shrill whistle, or simply a loud “NO” from you.
The noise should startle your puppy enough to stop the behavior. Then, after he’s distracted, redirect his attention to a more acceptable behavior.
Accentuate the Positive
Enforcing the behavior you want is just as important as discouraging unwanted behavior. When drawing your puppy away from unacceptable actions and pointing him toward acceptable behavior, reward him when he acts appropriately. If you catch him mauling his chew toy instead of your favorite chair, reward him verbally and, perhaps, with a treat.
By reinforcing the behavior you want, you’re giving your dog an additional reason to behave appropriately.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
It’s much harder for your puppy to misbehave if he’s not left alone in tempting situations. Until your puppy has learned what is acceptable, supervision is key. Keep an eye on your puppy when he is roaming free around the house. Work on crate training, so that when you are away, your pet has a safe place to rest while awaiting your return. This not only provides limits for your pup but also protects your belongings!
Another reason supervision is important was discussed earlier: For discipline to be effective, you must catch your puppy in the act of misbehaving.
What will work depends largely on your puppy’s personality. Some methods that work well for one puppy may not be as effective for another. Keep experimenting with different techniques until you find one that works for you.
