Raising Puppies

A puppy problem behavior is a behavior that can be annoying or potentially harmful, tit's a lot easier to address these problems now rather than later. The more chances that your puppy has to practice undesirable behaviors, the more ingrained they will become. Some problem behaviors are obvious. If your puppy jumps on your guests, it's a problem. If she barks at every little sound she hears, it's a problem. But sometimes, puppy owners don't recognize problems until they become serious issues. Here are some tips for recognizing some commonly overlooked problem behaviors:

Anything That Won't Be Cute When Your Puppy Is Full Grown Isn't Cute Now

You may giggle when your Rottweiler puppy jumps up to kiss your chin, but will you still be giggling when your full-grown Rottie leaps up and clocks you in the jaw? If your Corgi puppy looks adorable pulling on your pant leg, will it be as cute years down the line and dozens of shredded pants later?

Any time your puppy does something, ask yourself "Will this be cute when she's an adult?" If the answer is no, it's a problem behavior. Start fixing the problem now. Your puppy will not understand if you laugh when she jumps up on you for the first few months, then suddenly get angry and yell at her when she's older and bigger. Don't change the rules later down the line establish them now and avoid confusion and frustration later.

This can be challenging, because puppies really are adorable. But if you or your family members or friends giggle or laugh when your puppy does something, you're rewarding the behavior, so she will likely keep repeating it. Think of what you'll have to put up with in the future, and resist the temptation.