During this sensitive period it is essential that puppies experience the world in a safe, positive way as their brains are just starting to solidify what is safe or unsafe in their world. Anything they have not experienced after this period will likely be perceived as dangerous. Anything that a puppy has had negative experiences with, or has had no experience with by the time they are
Read More4 steps to curb puppy biting. Much like babies, young puppies learn a lot through exploring the world with their mouths. It is no biological accident that their teeth are razor sharp! Puppies need to learn “bite inhibition” or how to control the force of their bite, and since their jaws are underdeveloped, it is important that their teeth are sharp enough to inflict pain. Yes, the biting is supposed to hurt. This is to ensure that they get immediate feedback from their playmate on what pressure is too much pressure, so that when their jaws fully develop they know how to control their power and prevent harm.
One of the hardest behavior issues to live with is a dog who was never potty trained. Luckily, potty training should be really swift and easy if good management and a clear plan is in place. A huge aspect of potty training is preventing the dog from having accidents inside the house through active supervision, a consistent potty/feeding schedule, and good management tools. It is also important to recognize that dogs never eliminate inappropriately due to malicious intent. If your dog or puppy has eliminated inappropriately it is due to poor management, not enough access to where they should go, a lack of schedule, extreme fear or phobia, or a medical issue.