Puppy Behavior

1.Genetics
2.Environment and Interaction

Genetics are very diversified and play a role in your puppy's behavior and how your dog will behave. Look at all the breeds you have to choose from. They were originally picked and bred for their particular behavioral(along with confirmational) tendencies.

So a bloodhound, for example would not be good breed for herding livestock. Certain breeds of dogs that need a high level of activity would not do well in an apartment. We need to consider each breed in the context of it's intended dog behavior characteristics.

Every now and then you do get a dog whose genetics are haywire, but for the most part we need to consider how we choose our breed and how we choose to train them in order to raise a happy and well-mannered companion.

First, we should consider the need to choose a breed that will thrive within our lifestyle, as in the example above. Don't get a terrier and expect him not to dig if left alone outside for ANY length of time.

ENVIRONMENT AND INTERACTION

Second, and most importantly, we need to be aware that puppies display certain good or bad puppy behavior according to their environment and how they are interacted with by us. We train our puppies in a positive way or in a negative way, even without realizing it. We form what molds their bad dog behavior, or good behavior, in their adult dog life. This is why the ongoing process of shaping good puppy behavior and using appropriate training methods is SO important.

Most undesired puppy and dog behaviors are the direct result of inappropriate puppy training (and/or puppy potty training). This happens because of a misunderstanding of how to appropriately shape the puppy's behavior.

As caretakers of our puppies, we must not do just what seems to make sense to us as the "human species". We have to do what makes sense for our puppies in order to effectively raise well-mannered and confident canine companions.

In Puppy Potty Training, I explain how to reach your puppy and get him effectively potty trained without having to use punishment or clean up all those messes. It is very possible and simpler than you might think to not only get your puppy potty trained, but to bring him up to be a well-mannered, confindent and loving companion.

Example of a Misinterpreted Behavior

This type of interaction done on a consistent basis will not only sabotage his puppy potty training but will influence puppy behavior and carry on into adulthood, in that it promotes insecurity. This could go a couple of different, but bad directions:

1.Oversubmissiveness, being fearful, submissive urinating, nervousness, unwanted behaviors brought on by an attempt to relieve stress,(some of these develop into the obsessive, compulsive disorders we see in dogs these days)

2.Aggression brought on by insecurity and fear. This aggression is often exhibited by growling or fear biting.

Puppy behavior is also affected by our own emotions and voices as well. Our puppy or dog perceives how we feel by our tone of voice. A low serious tone of voice to them is a natural form of authority and a way to show that we are unhappy, (but not angry), with whatever their action at the moment is; ("action in the moment", not action done 20 minutes earlier).

In contrast a higher pitch happy tone would be like a praise reward. This also builds confidence in your dog and lets him know that he's been successful at something.

Several situations that we may perceive as normal can, in fact, be confusing and/or frightening to our canine companions, and could very much harm the bond that we want to create with our dogs. This again is only because puppies and dogs do not have the same perceptions that we do.

Shaping good puppy behavior with positive methods goes a long way in keeping the relationship between you and your dog intact and healthy.

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