Common Puppy Behavior Problems and How to Fix Them: Biting, Jumping, Barking, and Chewing Solutions

Bringing home a new puppy is a fun, adorable and an exciting experience for the whole family. Then, often within the first few months we hear THE SAME STORY OVER AND OVER. It's almost always that the puppy is now biting, jumping, barking, and chewing stuff it's not supposed to. Often times the owners are "surprised" that they are having such challenging behaviors coming from their puppy. This scenario then plays out with the inevitable same question: "How do I make it stop?!?"

That question my friends, is the perfect place to pause and be open to a PERSPECTIVE CHANGE. Can we do that? It's critical for long term success that the Dog's Owner and the Dog's Trainer are aligned on certain principles. This is one of those opportunities...

It's essential to understand that all of the behaviors that we have outlined are: perfectly normal, should be expected and that it would actually be far more alarming if the dog WASN'T engaging in those behaviors. Let that sink in... Once you have internalized and accepted that then you can EMBRACE IT. Stop focusing on "How do we stop it? And start focusing on How do we encourage the puppy to do these things in a fun, creative and productive manner!

In this guide, we’ll explore these common puppy behavior problems and provide practical solutions and recommendations to avoid the heartache and help your puppy grow into a well-mannered companion. 🏡🐕

1. Puppy Biting: Why It Happens & How to Stop It

Why Puppies Bite

Biting is a normal part of a puppy’s development. Puppies use their mouths to explore the world, play with littermates, send information and relieve teething discomfort. Let's get good at encouraging biting at the right time and place, not trying to squash it. ❌

How to Fix Puppy Biting

Initiate with Appropriate Toys: Play with your pup, multiple times a day, everyday. Create habits so the dog knows it's almost time. Use well designed engagement toys and become fun, animated and genuinely involved in the engagement. 5-10 minutes per session. **Make sure to put the toys away when you are done engaging with the puppy to ensure that object continues to be "valuable" and "desired" for your next round of play** 🎾
We love using the Redline K-9 Bite Suit Pocket Tug or a Flirt Pole to provide a safe and fun outlet for biting energy. We carry these here at K9 Heeling so stop by and grab yours today.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they play gently and resist the urge to bite you or your clothing. 🍖
Teach Bite Inhibition: When your puppy bites your hand, let out a high-pitched “ouch” (even though it doesn't hurt) to mimic how a littermate would react. Then, immediately stop playing to teach them that biting your hands leads to an end of fun. 🚫
Consistency is Key: The dog will know whether you're really into it or not. Get good at this and be consistent. 🏆

2. Jumping on People: Causes & Training Tips

Why Puppies Jump

Jumping is a natural part of learning to navigate the world, try out there legs, etc... It can instinctive behavior that puppies use to seek attention and excitement from us. You'll start to see a theme emerge here, find or make simple environmental challenges and encourage your dog to jump on or over them. Give them these opportunities each day so that the dog develops good coordination. On the other side of this coin, let's teach them what NOT to jump on, like grandma or the kids...

How to Stop Jumping

Ignore the Behavior: If your puppy jumps up, give them nothing, no movement, no verbal, no even eye contact until they calm down. Once they have settled quickly reward them with attention, food or a toy, only when they have all four paws on the ground. ✅
Teach an Alternative Greeting: Train your puppy to sit when greeting people. Use treats and positive reinforcement to encourage calm behavior. 🦴
Set Boundaries: Is your crate, baby gates or another room to ensure the puppy can't rehearse bad behaviors. Instruct guests to ignore your puppy when they jump and only interact when the puppy remains calm. 🙅‍♂️
Leash Control: If your puppy tends to jump when outside, use a leash to maintain better control and reinforce the “sit” command before allowing social interactions.

3. Excessive Barking: Understanding & Managing It

Why Puppies Bark

Puppies bark for various reasons, including excitement, boredom, fear, attention-seeking, or alerting their owners. While barking is a natural form of communication, excessive barking can become a problem. 🔊

How to Reduce Excessive Barking

You guessed it - Teach them to BARK ON COMMAND. You'll be amazed how easy it is. Use food, get them frustrated, teach them speak. Then you can easily tell them to stop.
Identify the Trigger: Observe what prompts your puppy to bark and address the root cause (e.g., loneliness, lack of exercise, or environmental stimuli). 👀
Teach the “Quiet” Command: Say “quiet” in a calm but firm tone when your puppy barks. When they stop barking, reward them with treats and praise. 🏅
Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation: Bored puppies bark more. Increase playtime, training sessions, and interactive toys to keep them engaged. 🎾

4. Destructive Chewing: Prevention & Correction

Why Puppies Chew

Puppies chew to relieve teething pain, explore their surroundings, and alleviate boredom. However, if not properly directed, this behavior can lead to chewed-up shoes, furniture, and other household items. 👠🛋️

How to Stop Destructive Chewing

Provide Appropriate Chew Toys: Offer a variety of durable chew toys designed for teething puppies. Check out our recommended Woof Pupsicle for a great chewing solution! We have them on our retail shelf so come in and see them for yourself! 🦴
Use Deterrent Sprays: Apply a bitter-tasting spray to furniture or objects your puppy tends to chew on. 🚫
Supervise & Confine: When you’re not around to supervise, keep your puppy in a safe, puppy-proofed area such as their crate for "down-time" when not actively engaging with your puppy. 🏠
Teach the “Leave It” Command: Train your puppy to respond to “leave it” so they learn to avoid chewing on inappropriate items. 🛑
Increase Exercise & Mental Stimulation: A tired puppy is less likely to engage in destructive chewing. 🏃‍♂️

Final Thoughts: Raising a Well-Behaved Puppy 🐕‍🦺

Training a puppy requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. By understanding the reasons behind common behavior problems and implementing these solutions, you can set your puppy up for success. Remember, every puppy learns at their own pace, so stay patient and celebrate small victories along the way! 🎉

If you’re struggling with training, consider seeking professional guidance from a certified dog trainer. For more expert tips on raising a happy and well-behaved puppy, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media! 📩

Have a puppy training question? Drop it in the comments below, and we’ll be happy to help! 💬

📞 Contact us at (443) 397-4141 or visit www.k9heeling.com to learn more about our puppy training programs. 🏡🐕

🐾 Happy Dog Training - The K9 Team 🐶