Basic Dog Training Online Course
Section 4: Puppy Behaviors & Topics
What You Will Learn:
- This section includes typical puppy topics such as housetraining, crate training, chewing and nipping.
- We also discuss the importance of socialization.
Many of these issues are typical puppy behaviors, and so we expect them to some degree with puppies.
However, if you want a well-behaved dog (and not just a well-trained dog we discussed in section 1), working to reduce or eliminate some of these issues sooner rather than later will help lead to a well-behaved dog in the long run.
While some dogs will outgrow nipping, for example, we encounter many dogs who are well past puppyhood but still exhibit mouthy behavior because people assumed the dog would outgrow it and the dog did not. So working to minimize puppy nipping, chewing on inappropriate objects, etc., will help you toward that goal of a well-behaved dog.
Handouts: The handouts below are in PDF format. Please click to open. You can save them to your device if you wish.
- Nipping
- Drop It or Object Exchange
- Crate Training
- Chewing & Teething
- To Your Bed or Crate
- Handling
- Housetraining
- Overstimulation
- Play & Exercise
- Socialization
Video (below):
- How to Control Nipping
- Drop It/Object Exchange
- Crate Training/To Your Bed or Crate
What to do:
If you are training a puppy, we recommend you review these topics to prepare for them before they occur or begin addressing them if they are already occurring.
However, sometimes these behaviors will continue past puppyhood, so these topics apply to any age dog who is exhibiting these behaviors. You can also refer back to specific topics if they arise later.
If you have a dog who does not display these behaviors, you can skip this section.