Training Puppies

Lesson 4: Behavior Problems

Digging, Jumping Up

Digging

Digging is a natural puppy behavior but can be triggered by different reasons. Sometimes puppies dig because it is fun and the smells in the soil are enticing. Sometimes they dig to escape and explore “greener pastures” and sometimes they dig simply from boredom.

If your puppy is digging to escape, you may need to make sure he is not lonely. After you make sure he is getting enough attention and spending plenty of time with you and he is still bent on having an adventure, you may have to pour a concrete “curb” around the fence perimeter or line it with step bricks. You can also dig a trench underneath the fence and bury a strand or two of wire below the ground or install an electric fence a few inches inside the perimeter of the regular fence.

If he is digging for fun or out of boredom, try making him a digging pit, similar to a child’s sandbox, and let him dig there till his heart’s content. The little plastic kiddy pools work well for this. Fill one with dirt and place some of his favorite treats just underneath the surface. Show him how to find them. Help him dig them up until he gets the hang of looking for treats there. Let him see that it's ok to dig in his pit. Gradually bury the treats deeper. If you catch him digging somewhere else, sternly tell him “No dig!” or use the squirt bottle and direct him to his sandbox. If he resumes his digging there, praise him! If he is digging in a specific area, such as your flower bed, try burying inflated balloons there that pop and startle him when he digs. As always, consistency and patience pay off. In rainy weather, the digging pit can be covered with a tarp.

For some, it may be easier to just fence off an area of the backyard that belongs exclusively to the puppy where he can dig all he wants to.

Jumping Up

Jumping up is best discouraged early on. Don't ever let a puppy become accustomed to a wild, excited greeting. Most people don’t mind, and even think it’s cute, when a young excited puppy jumps up in greeting. They laugh and welcome the puppy and he grows up believing that jumping up makes people happy. But as he grows into a 50 or 60 lb dog, it becomes another matter. He happily jumps up to greet someone and they shove him away angrily. The poor dog doesn’t understand why his happy greeting now meets with disapproval. He’s totally confused and has no idea what is expected of him. But you can teach him a calm way of greeting before he gets into a bad habit.

If he jumps up, sternly tell him “Off!” Then tell him to “Sit” while guiding him into position. If he sits and becomes calm, squat down to his level, and in a calm manner, give him the attention he wants. If he doesn't, another method may work better.

Some puppies learn better if you simply ignore the jumping. If you make a fuss, he's getting the attention he wants. When he approaches and jumps up to get attention, totally ignore him. Fold your arms, turn away, freeze and look up toward the ceiling. Pretend you are a post until he gives up on ever getting any attention from you. Only after he’s calmed down and stopped jumping, do you squat down to his level, pet him and praise him gently. If you and everyone in the family are consistent and patient, he will, over time, learn that he gets more attention when he is calm and this will become his new habit.

  1  2  3  4