Problem Behavior
The most common problem behaviors among puppies include jumping up on people, begging for food, and problem barking. Never encourage any bad behavior or the puppy will think that is perfectly acceptable.
Jumping up
Discourage jumping up by ignoring the puppy when he does it; any verbal or physical responses from you will give him the attention he desires.
There is a reason why pups jump up. It is a greeting behavior that they have learned brings them attention. By touching the puppy, even if only to push him down, and talking to him, saying—for example—“no,” “stop that,” or “get down’” you are rewarding the puppy for jumping up by giving him the attention he craves. Instead, you must ignore the puppy. Look down and away from the puppy so you don’t catch his eye. If necessary, turn your body away, if you’re sitting down, or stand up and turn your back on the puppy. Continue until the puppy stops jumping up. Gently and quietly praise him when he has all four feet on the ground. Once he realizes that he is not going to get your attention or praise by jumping up, he will stop doing it.
Jumping up: Step 1
Averting your gaze and turning away every time will teach your puppy that there is no reward for jumping up and that he will earn your approval only once he has all four feet on the ground.
Step 2
Systematically ignoring your puppy’s jumping will yield gradual results, not instant solutions. Make sure that you treat your puppy and give him lots of praise and attention when he stops jumping up and is standing on all fours.
Begging
When you are eating, ignore any plaintive appeals for food—your puppy should be given food only when you decide, so never encourage begging for scraps.
The same principle applies to begging. Once your puppy knows that you will share your food with him if he sits patiently gazing up at you appealingly, he will continue to do it. It may seem hard-hearted, but you must ignore the puppy whenever he begs until he accepts that you are not going to weaken. You must also be very firm on this point with other family members, visitors to your home, and with other people that you meet out of doors. Otherwise even if your puppy leaves you alone, he will consider all strangers as “easy targets” and beg for scraps whenever he sees someone eating.
Problem behavior should never be encouraged or your puppy will think that it is perfectly acceptable.
