The New Puppy

The calls I receive for dog problems, are usually for puppies 3-4 months and puppies 6-9 months.
Many of the owners complaints show a lack of understanding of how puppies operate. The owners usually look at these behavior as "bad", when in reality they are perfectly normal behaviors. In the owner's frustration of these puppies, they unknowingly escalate the "bad" behaviors with punishment and improper management of the home.

So what are the most common complaints?

1. Biting, Mouthing on hands
2. Grabbing items they can access and running around the room with them
3. Chewing on furniture, anything they can reach
4. Pooping, peeing in the house right after being outside!
5. Chewing house plants
6. Digging outside flowers up
7. Digging holes
8. Not coming when called
9. Jumping up on people
10. Grabbing and biting feet, shoes, pants legs, bathrobes.


These are all normal puppy behaviors. You have just brought into your home a 4 legged animal that still due to genetics carries some of they're wild ancestors traits.
However, all is not lost. These behaviors can be managed and once you have an understanding of what is behind these behaviors, you'll even be able to see a humorous side of this. Honest!

Proper Management of the home is key to reducing these behaviors. Remember the words "Puppy Proof".
Your home is like a giant candy shop to a puppy. Expecting your puppy to know enough to leave all these enticing items alone is expecting way to much.

First, give your puppy only one area of the house. Most people use the kitchen, where there is less to get into and usually a lineloun floor which makes clean up easier. A metal swing gate is the best way to keep your puppy confined. If you have a larger opening to gate, check online pet catologs, where they have gates to fit large entry ways.

The only time your puppy should be outside of his area is when you can give 100% attention. If you want him with you while watching TV, gate off access to other rooms.

Plants should be put up, electrical cords sprayed with a bitter substance (bitter lemon), shoes, socks, kids toys, should always be put up.

Look at things from your puppies level. Proper Management of the home will not allow the puppy to get into trouble while he is going through this stage and you will save yourself from having to fuss so much at the puppy, to the point where he will ignore you anyway.



Puppies are cutting teeth until around the age of 6 months. Their gums hurt and the way they explore their world is by putting things in their mouth.

Providing proper teething toys and toys that mentally stimulate them will allow them to direct this behavior to the proper sources. Look for durable toys that you can stuff with treats, which helps with the teething and allows them to use their brain to figure out how to get the treats out. Nylabones make safe chew toys. I do not recommend rawhide, as it has caused blockages and choking. Check with your veternarian on this.

Providing physical exercise for your puppy is essential. If you do not give your puppy the proper forum to release this pent up energy, it will go elsewhere, which means more chewing, mouthing, jumping and getting into everything.
Do not count on leaving your puppy in a large fenced in yard all day as a definition of exercise. Dogs will entertain themselves left in the yard, but not in the way you wish for. Their energy will go into digging holes, barking, chewing hoses, etc..

Exercise for your pup means involvment with you. Take him for a walk 2 times a day for 20 minutes each. If he has an interest in retrieving, play ball or Frisbee for 10-15 minutes a few times a day. MAKE THE TIME. A TIRED DOG IS A GOOD DOG.
Tug is a game most dogs love and is a great energy burner, but their are strict rules that must be followed. Hide and Seek is a good game, plus it forces the pup to search for you, which help's with coming when called exercises. Short, fun training sessions also help to burn energy.

We will cover more information on this topic is our next post. Remember, this is a stage that all puppies go through and it does pass. My goal is to help you and your puppy pass through this stage with as little stress as possible.