Before You Buy
(I know this seems like alot to read, but please take the time)
Before a person buys a puppy, they should realize that puppies can be
annoying, destructive, pooping-machines and all-out little monsters. Why?
Because, they haven't been taught what is acceptable and what isn't. It is up
to the buyer to teach the puppy acceptable manners. It is up to the buyer to
spend time, or make time for the puppy. Don't wait for the puppy to grow up
to start his training. Everything one does with a puppy can be turned into a
training session. Make time everyday to teach the puppy something, even if
it's just a recall (coming when you call his name).
Buying a puppy should be a lifetime commitment.
Many seem to forget that puppies are like children. They are not born with
the knowledge to know right from wrong. It is up to the "buyer" to teach basic
obedience to their puppy, not the breeder.
This is probably the number one complaint of many dog owners. This "jumping-up" behavior has been taught to the
puppy since he was very young. As the pup is growing, he is absolutely the cutest thing alive ... and there is no way to
avoid picking him up and snuggling. There is nothing wrong with picking up your pup and loving on him. Unfortunately,
this also teaches him that EVERY TIME he puts his feet on you, you are going to pick him up. Over and over, as he is
maturing this "jumping-up" behavior is repetitiously repeated. How is he supposed to know that there is a magical
age/height/weight when he is suddenly no longer allowed to display this behavior? He doesn't. All he knows is that he's
been able to "ask" to be picked up, by jumping up on his owner, and getting what he wants. Now suddenly, his owner is
slapping him, kicking him, yelling at him, .... this does nothing but confuse and make the dog fearful.
The ways we've helped to stop this behavior before it begins is to always sit down (on the ground) and pet the
puppies. Or, scoop the puppy into a sit, wait a few seconds with his butt on the ground, then pick him up (from the sit).
The pup is not picked up when he is standing up on us and scratching on our legs.
One tried and proven effective method by a Border Collie person, when the puppy jumps up on you, take his paw and
squeeze it enough to be uncomfortable. Puppies/dogs do not like their paws squeezed and if you do this every time
they jump up, they will quit jumping on you.
Puppies chew, it’s a fact. There are many reasons why they chew. They chew to exercise their jaws; when in pain (like
during teething); to alleviate boredom; when playing; when exploring new things; when excited, etc...
There are ways to deal with their chewing. Please do NOT slap your puppy in the face when you catch him/her
chewing. This will only cause your puppy to be fearful of you. Puppies are not born with the knowledge of knowing what
they can chew on and what they can’t. It’s up to you to teach him (in a loving, non-harmful, way) what is acceptable
behavior and what is not. When you catch your puppy chewing on something, redirect him to something else; like a
chew bone or play with him.
So many times I’ve heard, "my puppy chewed up my new shoes or backpack". A sure way to keep a puppy from
chewing on things, is to put those items out of reach. If this is not possible, when you catch your puppy carrying
something off to be chewed on, in a real happy voice tell him what a good boy he is for bringing you the shoe (or
whatever he has in his mouth), walk to him and lavish him with praise and take the object. Now some may ask, why
reward a puppy for doing wrong! Sometimes, it’s better to teach him to bring you the item he’s tempted to chew on,
therefore; you can keep him from destroying your stuff. If he thinks that every time he picks up something you are
going to smack him and yell at him, he’ll steal it and hide some where to chew. If he thinks that every time he picks up
something, you are going to love on him, praise him and be happy, he’ll bring you the item every time, thus; you can
avoid it being chewed to pieces. This also has a down side, once he learns this action makes you happy, he’ll bring
you stuff just for the attention. This method seems to work the best, at least for us it does.
Every puppy is an individual, so what works on one pup will not work on another. If the above doesn’t seem to be
working after many times of repetitious teaching, there are other things you can try. Whenever you catch your pup
chewing, take the object away and replace it with something he can chew on. Always, give a command when you do
any action. For example: when you take the object that he isn’t supposed to be chewing on, say to him in a sharp, firm,
low voice "off!"(or whatever command you can remember), then hand him the object he can chew on and when he
takes it, praise him and tell him he’s good.
It is important that every member in the family use the same method and same commands. Repetition is essential and paitence.
If puppies are not exercised both mentally and physically, they will find their own entertainment. Most of the time, their
idea of entertainment is NOT yours. Be honest with yourself before you purchase a puppy. Do you really have time
for a puppy? Will your lifestyle interfere with your responsibility of taking care of a puppy? Do you have the patience
for a puppy?