Why does he have to do that?

You'll find below advice and tips on 

Digging ~ Chewing ~ Barking

...how to turn puppy "hobbies" into more acceptable behaviour

Digging

Digging is entirely natural for dogs and they really enjoy it.

If you want to manage your little landscaper’s activities don’t punish him for doing what, for him, is perfectly natural behaviour - a better solution is to create an area where he is allowed to dig!

If you don't have a patch of garden to 'give over', how about finding a child’s sand pit and filling it with builders sand?

Hide some toys and biscuits in his digging space and encourage him to look for them. Make it a real fun game for him and praise him for digging there. 

If he still wants to dig in other areas gently redirect him back to his own digging space and make sure there's something interesting in there for him to find. He'll soon get the idea!

For further advice on behavioural issues please come and see us.

Chewing

Puppies need to chew.

Chewing helps relieve Puppy's sore gums whilst teething at about four months and again at around eight months when his teeth begin to set into the jaws.

Puppies will also though chew when they are just plain bored, when they feel lonely or when they are exploring their environment (puppies find it very important to use their mouths in exploring their world).

Never smack or punish your puppy for chewing something he’s not meant to.

Instead, buy him a variety of chew toys that are safe for him and teach him that it's acceptable to chew these. Make them fun and desirable. You will have to supervise and redirect him for a while but he'll soon get the idea. When you can’t supervise him then consider putting him and his chew toys in his crate for a while.

For further advice on behavioural issues please come and see us.

Barking

Puppies can learn to bark at a very early age and for a variety of reasons, it may get them...

• your attention
• playtime with you
• a walk
• being let off the lead

All very good reasons for your puppy to learn to bark whenever he wants something!

Don't shout at him to stop. He will assume your are joining in to the barking and will naturally encourage him.

It's also important not to reward your puppy when barking by giving him what he wants - he should only get what he wants when he is quiet.

Rather, try to dissuade him by, for instance, bringing him indoors the moment he starts barking when outside. He will soon begin to learn that barking means he has to come in and will soon think twice about it! 

If puppy barks when left alone, this may point towards separation anxiety. If this is happening please refer to ‘Home alone’ or come and see us for further advice.