TOP TROUBLESOME PUPPY BEHAVIORS

We work with a lot of first time dog-owners, and we found a commonality in many of the questions. So we figured we'd write up a post to cover the basics. Puppies are strictly babies up until about 4.5-5.5 months, then they transition into adolescence.

Adolescent behavior can last well past their first birthday hopefully like most adolescents, they outgrow the undesirable behavior with firm and gentle encouragement.  Good news for Havanese owners is that much of the ‘Positive Reinforcement.’ Training guidelines work very well with dogs who want to please their owner, even adolescents but we want to teach them when they are a the puppy first.

Often adolescent training is undoing and re-training what was previously allowed to slide or mistakenly encouraged as fun or cute behavior for a little puppy.  It is at least twice as hard to un-do as getting it right

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN 04.15.2021

CALI, A 2 CUTE HAVANESE DOG, WHILE SHE'S NOT AN ADOLESCENT HERE, SHE'S GIVING THE ATTITUDE

the first time and being age appropriate.  Positive Reinforcement rewards the ‘Nots’ like not barking and uses redirection, too. Treats are usually edible, however praise and petting does work for the dogs who do not want treats.

Problems:
Some of the most common problem behaviors are (alphabetically) barking, biting, car sickness, catch me, chewing, digging, hyperactivity, keep away, jumping, poo eating, and potty training.  We will deal with each one but first there is the groundwork for a successful outcome.  If one method does not work for your dog, do not quit.  There is another method that will work.  Your challenge is to be successful by finding and employing the method that works for your dog.  Any basic class after the last vaccination will work well to continue to socialize your puppy and help you continue to mold your beautiful puppy.

DID YOU KNOW? SAFETY AND TRUST ON THE PUPPY'S SIDE ARE TWO COMMON ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING.
 
Groundwork:
I look at two aspects found in training.  Most trainers work from a foundation of being gently firm but when I run across a terrified adolescent with a biting issue I know its trainer was misguided. From what perspective do you view successful training?  Are you being firm or inspiring fear?  Fear versus firm training methods offer major differences for short-term and long-term behaviors.  A pup trained with confidence and encouragement will have a dependable, healthy foundation. Fear or force does not give the temperament you want to live with for the long term.  
Consider a dog’s baseline understanding and perception is vastly different than a human’s.  They operate on levels we do not, such as having acutely different input for all their senses and being able to experience their world beyond what we perceive, plus there is a major question about a 6th sense regarding intuitiveness or even a magnetic sense like other animals such as birds, dolphins or sea turtles. We are still discovering things about canine sensory. Let’s just say dogs understand you loud and clear well before you say a word or come close, so it is important to set your own limits of what is and is not acceptable for your dog before working with your pup.

Quick side story: 
While waiting to go into the show ring, a woman was having a hissy fit but boy was it a doozy.  We ended up walking  away because she was upsetting our dogs. When the lady entered the ring, her dog was a mess with unusually difficult behavior for that age group and she was cranky about it!  You see, she sabotaged their performance with her own ringside behavior by stressing out her dog. 

In other words: 
Positive reinforcement changes the training directive from the trainer forcing the action to the trainer is encouraging the pup to want to behave differently, to proactively be a part of the process. After all the final outcome is more satisfactory when the pup modifies its own behavior to please you and for rewards. 

Tools:
One of the greatest training tools a person has without stepping outside of their home is their voice.  If you growl, have an angry voice, or cause your puppy to cower or respond in anger/fear, then you have derailed yourself and your training. A happy, positive voice will encourage the puppy to want to please. 

Who is Training who? Now that is the question: 
If we are being honest, the human should be in charge, but at the same three quarters of training is for the human. Consistency is a core component for ease of training. What behaviors are desirable? Is that something you want to deal for the next 12-15 years. Yes? No? The goal is to start as you mean to go on. 

Lastly, keep the whole family involved. Each family member can contribute and have an age appropriate task to work on with training. Consistency pops up here again. If someone deviates, the weakest link WILL be revealed. Overall, as with most family issues, the motto should be: United We Stand, especially when it comes to training your puppy.

​Troubles in Puppydom
So, what is this tip for multiple problem behaviors? At one point the bad behaviors like the peeing barking, etc., were met with scoldings and swatts. Over the years, many noticed that this lengthened the training process. The gentler trend these last couple of years, has allowed for us to observe a positive correlation between a gentler reproach, proactiveness on the recipient or the puppy's side that was not as common previously. This ripple effect in the puppy's behaviors not only shortened training time but has de-stressed the process. 
Examples: 

• Biting on shoes, substitute, for something they can chew. 

• Peeing in the house, monitor their intake and observe time. When puppies wake up they generally need 20-30 minutes of play before potty. After they potty, praise and treat. 
• If your puppy nibbles on you, "Fido. No. " substitute, i.e. with toy or chewable. Don't forget that your puppy is teething, and chewing can soothe the soreness. They just don't need to chew on you. 

Training Tips

• ​Use your puppy's name, then give the command.
• Desensitization, this is a dressed up word for teaching your puppy dog-etiquette. It covers in-home, and out of home. Just wait to take your puppy out at 17 weeks, a week after they have had their 16 week shot, and their immune system has developed. Defer to your vet, and don't be afraid to ask questions!   
• Positive reinforcement, i.e. treat, praise, or scritches or a combination. 
• Consistency

 
Barking
What is the reason?  (Alert/Hello)
Ignore and re-direct!  Teach the pup to sit on command when starting to bark. When they sit, praise and treats. I also teach, “Hush” with treats.  I count to 3 for starters for treats and expand from there. Havanese can be very vocal if it is allowed.
 
Biting / Teething
Your puppy has started to nibble or even bite. I do not allow any puppy to chew on fingers, toes or hand.  Turning the hand is no good, as it will not discourage the behavior. Instead if a puppy is teething and or trying to bite I replace it with an appropriate chew toy. I shut down all play if excessive biting happens with siblings. Redirecting biting to chewing  a toy is a valid choice at this age.  Biting will decrease quickly with age if managed properly.  Teaching ‘Leave It’ can apply with biting, barking and other issues.  Biting games and mismanagement may create re-teaching moments to avoid with an older dog.
 
Car Sickness
This is the 2 Cute Havanese Method for taking care of car sickness.  When the pup is young take it for a ride (around the block, etc.) and have a very cool (69’) AC gently blowing on the pup’s face.  No prior food or drink for at least 2 hours.  No throw up – take a longer drive next time.  Keep your driving very steady, initially. Once a week or so for a couple of months.  Over time lengthen the travel time. When you have been satisfied about your pup’s travel condition bring up the AC.  We did not want to arrive to a show with a dog to have it get sick just as we entered the show grounds!  This method works well for us.  In fact, one of our dogs learned to play with the AC to get it to suit himself! 

The destination has a lot to do with many dogs getting carsick. If the only time a dog is in the car is on the way to the vet, your likelihood of carsickness increases. I talked with my vet extensively on this subject and what they recommended walking around the car, taking your dog to places that'd they enjoy, like parks, to pick up the kids, or to trails and on travels. Just wait till they are 17 weeks or over, we like to add the additional week for their immune system after a conversation with our vet about 16 week shots. 

Catch Me
"Catch Me" begins with game over.  We get a box of dog treats, rattle it and stand at the door. The pup comes and earns a treat and gets picked up or entry into the house. Teaching your pup to ‘Come’ is essential.  Chasing games may create re-teaching moments to avoid with an older dog.  When you walk with your puppy, have treats and randomly give them out for positive behavior. This encourages your puppy to stay next you as well. 

Chewing
The mouth for a puppy is really important.  It is a means of first expression, love, food, verbalization, play and there is some pain going on there. Having two sets of teeth moving in or out or both in about four months going from 28 to 42 teeth is tough! Some do not go away on their own. Teething peeks at 17 weeks meaning there are 17 weeks more to go. So, plan on a variety of safe puppy-appropriate chew toys.  Chewing relieves some of the teething pain.  Rotate the toys for optimal attention span. Have some for long term chew and others short-term chew.  Some options are:

• Flavored
• Textured
• Sound/Noisy or squeaky
• Interactive
• Food inserts
• Tug-of-war toys.

 

Digging (Simple digging)
Digging provides immediate gratification for a puppy, driven by new or exciting smells.  The more exciting the smell the more digging is needed.  Establish a digging area using a small kid's pool or having a no dig policy are some choices. Digging can be a form of boredom. Play fetch with your puppy or provide interactive activities like puzzles.

IMAGE PROVIDED BY ALAMAY

Hyperactivity
You can ignore the puppy until it settles down or help it expel some energy.  Interactive play like get the ball or chase the ribbon (cat toy) will help. Exercise helps. Giving a treat to a calmer pup will encourage 'Settle' with praise. Havanese also have 'zoomies' which come very naturally, especially after bath time in our experience and after a nice runabout, they settle in.

Jumping
This is one of the behaviors you can:

• Ignore (walk away, no voice, touch or eye contact), then redirect or praise/treat desired behavior occurs

• Turn the other direction. 
• Use a command like, "Fido. Down.” or Fido. Sit." then treat when the pup complies.

Jumping is like a puppy saying Me! Me! Look at Me! It is a basic expression of excitement to see you. If you have regular company coming in, get a leash on the pup and teach him to sit or praise/treat when he settles down.  

Poo Eating
Coprophagia or eating feces is common.  Momma dog kept her puppies clean and it included this behavior if she was a good momma up until the pups were about 4-5 weeks old which makes it a learned behavior.  If so, “[Puppy Name] No!” will work.  Remove the feces. Do not chase or make it game with the pup moving away. Check the puppy food for a well-rounded nutrition and accessibility. If a puppy is not digesting all of the nutrients in their food, then this can cause Coprophagia as well. All else, have a veterinarian exam your pup. A new addition or boredom can create stress and stress contributes to eating feces. There are products available to discourage eating poo.
​

Potty Training 
A common fail with potty training is when a pup is allowed too much access to the rest of the house too soon. This is an earn it as you go project. The basics mean the owner takes the puppy out every two hours or particularly after napping or first thing in the morning. Praise, praise, praise the good deposits.  Consistency is your friend. Calmly direct the pup outdoors if accidents begin. As fewer accidents occur lengthen the time between supervised potty trips. The puppy has to have timely access to the place you want him to use and the time to use it particularly first thing in the morning when a little extra time is usually needed. ​

IMAGE COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

The length of time it takes depends on the pup if there are no other distractions.   If needed use a ‘Potty Patch’ an extended period of time.  An 8–10-week-old puppy can hold her bladder for about 2 hours. The general rule of thumb of how long a puppy can hold his bladder is roughly one month of age to one hour, etc.  Holding urine for an extended time over time can lead to UTIs and more. 

We noticed that there is a direct correlation between going potty on a pad and going potty on carpets, couches, or even bedding. So if you are looking for an indoor option, the 'Potty Patch' is a great option. As it looks like grass, feels like grass, ergo, it makes potty training outside easier.

If an indoor patch is not needed, crating your puppy at night encourages a puppy to hold their bladder. Take food and water away an hour before bedtime, or just be consistent in puppy bedtime. When your puppy wakes up take them outside first thing and let them potty. There will be accidents. I throw in a towel in the beginning for easier clean-up and then upgrade their bed to a foam pad as dog beds take up too much space. My dogs also enjoy an additional small blanket or towel thrown in for snuffling purposes. 
​
Overall:
It's quite remarkable to see hard work pay off and a richer relationship develop that will last for the rest of their lives. The owner becomes more confident and has a better behaving dog who enjoys their relationship, too.
                
My dogs' favorite treats are freeze-dried beef liver or beef lungs given only in training sessions.  Another special treat is string cheese sticks.  What does your dog like best?
 
Recommendations:
To learn more about just click "Desensitization" 
             
References:
​Blake, Mychelle. “Does the Potty Patch Work? Pros & Cons.” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Media, https://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Potty_Patch_Reviews.

Debra. Humans for Dogs, http://www.humansfordogs.com/2018/02/my-dog-just-wants-to-play-keep-away-what-should-i-do.html.

“GP.” Amazon, Goettsche Partners, 2011, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MVN4EO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=lov0f6-20&linkId=ff85ceb14f60b5eca27ec9556a68c41d&language=en_US.

Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, Debra, and Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM. “Overcoming Fears with Desensitization and Counterconditioning.” Overcoming Fears With Desensitization And Counterconditioning | VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/overcoming-fears-with-desensitization-and-counterconditioning#:~:text=Desensitization%20is%20a%20technique%20of,intense%20levels%20of%20the%20stimulus.

Limited, Alamy. “Cartoon Dog Digs a Hole Vector Illustration Stock Vector Image & Art .” Alamy, https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cartoon-dog-digs-a-hole-vector-illustration-88332553.html.

Stregowski, Jenna. “10 Common Dog Behavior Problems and Solutions.” The Spruce Pets, The Spruce Pets, 22 Feb. 2022, https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-behavior-problems-1118278.

Wed Dec 26 07:52:00 EST 2012. “How to Handle Four Common Puppy Behavior Problems.” Vetstreet, http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/common-behavior-problems-in-puppies.

Wed Dec 26 07:52:00 EST 2012. “How to Handle Four Common Puppy Behavior Problems.” Vetstreet, http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/common-behavior-problems-in-puppies.