How to Train a Puppy to Stay

1. How to Train a Puppy to Stay Puppies spend a great deal of time playing, chewing and investigating objects. All of these normal activities involve puppies using their mouths and their needle-sharp teeth. When puppies play with people, they often bite, chew and mouth on peoples hands, limbs and clothing. This kind of behavior may seem cute when your puppy is seven weeks old, but its not nearly so endearing when hes three or four months oldand getting bigger by the day! At this point, your puppy is capable of opening doors, climbing stairs and walking long distances without the assistance of his mother. He is fully capable of playing "cop" with other puppies and with adult dogsbut he likes to hang out with you anyway! He will want to hang out with you 'till he is grown and can hunt or work on his own. He wont appreciate it if you leave him alone in your apartment any longer than he has to. And he likes it when you feed him! If he stays off of your hands, and you do not feed him, he will get upset. And he will chew and bite on your thingsanything he can reach, and especially your shoes, which will be a constant reminder of whos in charge. If you feed him, he may develop an unhealthy addiction to dog foodand become dependent on itwhich means he wont eat anything else. If you feed him, he will bite and bite at your feet and your sofa when you arent lookingand he may even growl and bark. When you leave the house, he will be ready to pounce on his favorite chew toy, even if you just put it down because he's ready to go out and take it. Not only is your puppy going to bite you when you leave him, he's going to try to bite you when you are out. He will be ready to bark at you with such viciousness that you won't be able to hear yourself say "come back here." He will get into your things and keep 'em locked up and play with 'em on the floor. He will growl at you with such anger that you will think "he's about to bite." Puppies like to bite and chew. They do it to burn up energy, to get rid of pain and to sooth their teeth and gums. The point is that they need to be soothed and they will go to almost any length to get your attention and to satisfy their need for comfort. Puppies chew to make you happy and not just because it is expected. Their need for comfort is innate and comes from their wolf ancestors. They are pack animals and they need to be dominated to survive. This is where they developed the aggressive nature that we see in their bite and chewing. Puppies want you to dominate them and they will take it by any means necessary. The next time you are leaving your puppy behind, try to get your puppy to stay. If he is already soothed up, make him stay at your house until you get home. Do this in a calm way so as not to startle him and keep your puppy's focus on you. Wait till you have put your shoes on, let your dog get a long bone, filled the water bowl and put on some clothes. Get him a toy and wait till you have put him in the crate. Then put him in your car, tell him he is going out to "run and fetch" with "Meet me outside." This is a good strategy if you are going out for a walk, going to buy a can of beans and you don't want your puppy to get into things. It will take a while to teach a puppy not to do it so don't give up. You can also start this at home in a small room and have one dog sit in the room with the food. Do this every time you take your puppy out and don't play with him. Do this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If you have a yard, then start this strategy at home. Take your puppy to the yard. Let him sniff the grass. Give him a bone and play with him some. Ask him to wait by your car. As you are leaving the house, get him to stay behind. This strategy works when your going to bring your puppy to the vet and take him for his check-up. It works very well when you take your puppy to the pet store to pick up some accessories. Remember that this is a process and you will have to do it many times before your puppy will understand and obey. Do this calmly and lovingly, so that your puppy will learn to trust you. Also remember that this is not a command, it is a bond. Give him rewards if he obeys and treats if he doesn't. Use a treat that your puppy enjoys and not one that makes him choke. To learn how to stop your puppy from biting check out this article.