Welcoming a new puppy into the home is an exciting event for the entire family. As puppies grow, they will become active members of your family. It is important that you train your puppy and eliminate unwanted behaviors while he is young. A small puppy that jumps up on the kids and playfully bites might be cute, but keep in mind that he will soon be a full grown dog whose bite will be more powerful and whose jump will be able to put you on the ground. Taking the steps to properly train your puppy now will pay off in the long run when your dog is full grown.
Things You'll Need
- Chew toys
- Gloves
- Vinegar or similar substance
- Water bottle
- Water
- Edible dog treats
Instructions
Biting
Provide plenty of chew toys for your puppy to bite, especially when she is teething. Offer squeaky toys, ropes, chewable balls, puppy bones, etc.
Discourage your puppy from biting by telling her "No" and redirecting her to a chew toy when she bites you. Remove your hand from her mouth and quickly pass her the chew toy while she is in biting mode.
Let out a loud "Ouch!" when your puppy bites you, which will startle her and cause her to release your hand. Immediately stop playing with her to let her know that biting is unacceptable.
Place your thumb inside her mouth under her tongue and hold her chin with your other fingers. Hold this grasp for 5 seconds to let her know that biting is not acceptable. This hold will not hurt her, but will cause her to be uncomfortable and not want it to happen again.
Spray a pair of gloves with a substance that your dog has an aversion to, such as vinegar. Put the gloves on whenever your puppy begins biting your hands.
Keep a water bottle set on mist handy and gently spritz her whenever she starts biting you. She will shy away from the water and hopefully associate the spray with biting, helping to eliminate the behavior.
Jumping
Teach her the command "Off" by firmly telling her "Off" when she jumps on you, others or your furniture. Offer her verbal praise and treats when she does get off. Maintain eye contact when giving commands.
Teach her the command "Sit" by praising her and offering treats when she does sit. Command her to sit every time she jumps up on you or others.
Refrain from greeting your dog for at least 10 minutes when you arrive at home, in order to assert your dominance as the pack leader and discourage her from jumping up on you (something pack leaders often do). Gently spritz her with the water bottle if she continues to jump on you or pester you when you get home.
Kneel down to her level when you greet her, to eliminate her need to jump up to your level. Command her with "Off" if she does jump and offer her verbal praise when she does not jump up at you.
Refrain from playing too roughly with her. Avoid wrestling, tug of war or any type of aggressive activities that will encourage jumping.