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Common Puppy Behavior Problems
Bringing a new puppy home and making them part of your family can be exciting! Puppies are adorable, cuddly, playful and all-around lovable. However, it's not all fun and games if and when that puppy starts showing unwanted behaviors like chewing, begging, or getting onto furniture.
Start off on the right paw with Dog Training Elite puppy obedience training to quickly address behavior problems. Beginning obedience training early will help you create a lifelong bond with your new puppy and get rid of those unwanted behaviors. Find a trainer near you today!
Behavior Problems
Many of the problems listed below are normal behavior for puppies and come with the "puppy stage." However, these behaviors are problematic, and it's not too early to start addressing and correcting them.
More than just addressing the behavior, it's important to try and understand the cause behind it. The trainers of Dog Training Elite can help you determine why a behavior is happening, so you're better equipped to train your dog out of it.
Chewing is a natural part of a dog's physiology and comes built-in. It needs to be addressed if your puppy's chewing is destructive because they're chewing on shoes or furniture. Puppies chew because they are curious, teething, bored, or anxious. Working with a Dog Training Elite trainer will help your pup to learn to chew on toys instead of your slippers!
Puppies will bite or nip to explore their environment and test boundaries. Though your dog may not be play-biting out of aggression, you should address it so that it does not become a pattern in the future. Dogs and puppies may bite or nip because they are afraid, in pain, defending property, or from predatory instinct. Avoid wagging your fingers in front of your pup’s face, as it tempts them to bite, and get help from a professional dog trainer.
Dogs learn to jump from a young age to meet and greet their mother. Jumping in puppies or dogs can happen when greeting you or guests, jumping up to reach or steal food, or when they get excited. It is not an inherently dangerous behavior but can cause injury to your dog if overdone. Depending on how big your dog will get, it can potentially hurt someone else, too. It may seem counterintuitive, but don't respond. This will help them learn that they won't be rewarded for jumping.
Barking comes naturally for dogs; some pups may vocalize by whining or howling. If it starts becoming excessive or done at inappropriate times, puppy obedience training will help you immensely. Barking might happen because your puppy is playing, seeking attention, giving a warning, responding to other dogs, or has anxiety. As with jumping, try to ignore your pup when they are barking demandingly and reward them for being "polite."
Like many other behaviors, digging comes naturally. The instinct to dig may be more intense in some breeds. Most dogs will dig if given a chance, and this can happen because they have excess energy, are trying to escape or access an area, or trying to bury a possession. Try including more enrichment for your dog during the day or longer walks to burn off excess energy.
Separation anxiety can cause significant problems for an owner if not addressed. Signs of separation anxiety in dogs include following their owner around, becoming anxious as their owner prepares to leave, and misbehaving in the first 15-45 minutes after the owner leaves the house. Dog Training Elite are experts at dealing with separation anxiety in dogs.
Every puppy needs to be correctly potty trained; if done incorrectly, it can lead to problems with inappropriate urination and defecation problems. If a puppy or dog is having difficulties with potty training, it can be because of anxiety, territorial marking, and submissive or territorial marking. It's important to never punish your dog for having an accident in the house. At Dog Training Elite, we use positive reinforcement to develop desired behaviors.
Dogs and puppies beg because they love food. Giving your dog table scraps can be fun but lead to further begging and can even be dangerous for your dog's digestive system and health. Don’t give in when your puppy begs for food, no matter how cute they are.
Another instinct for dogs is chasing. Some breeds may have a stronger instinct than others, but in any case, it should be kept in check. Playing chase with your dog can be fun and good exercise for you both. However, chasing at unwanted times can be dangerous for your pup and may have disastrous consequences. A puppy or dog may chase because of their instincts, a desire to play, or out of aggression. The trainers at Dog Training Elite will work with you to train your dog not to chase, so you can help your pup keep up the good behavior even without a trainer there.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Dallin, was awesome!!! Very knowledgeable and helpful!!!💜— Karee Marinos
Posted October 2nd 2024
Our boys love Jeff and the entire team at dog training elite! We started the boys with their puppy program and obedience classes. Our 2 year old malinois is currently in the personal protection program and our 2 year old English bulldog is working on completing the therapy dog certification. We highly recommend them.— Morgan rowley
Posted October 2nd 2024
Dallin is amazing! Has an emergency amount of knowledge and answered all the questions I and my family had to ask with a great response.— Ronald Taylor
Posted October 1st 2024
These guys are wonderful and I am so grateful to have them training my sweet girl right now. I've had a lot of extra requests and they've taken care of my needs above and beyond thus far. I expect to continue to work with them on an ongoing basis and other our other dog soon!! Thumbs up for Jake, McCall, and Oakley as well as Jeff, who did some home training with us earlier this year!! Laura Uhle— Laura Uhle
Posted October 1st 2024
If you’re willing to do your part, this team is amazing! We’re working with Dallin, and our dog adores him! Every lesson is life-changing for our dog and the whole family!— Laura Lyle
Posted September 30th 2024
McCall is so amazing! She really listens to what I’m saying and works so well with making sure not only my Service Animal Henry is understanding but that I as the handler is understanding as well. Love you McCall!— Aubrey Slack
Posted September 28th 2024
Dallin was professional in explaining the available programs -- without any pressure to "buy-up." I recently brought a 4y and 4m old Berner into my home. They exhibited their full range to him -- vocalization, jumpy, calm, puppy biting, and their need for attention. My animals quickly showed they were comfortable with him -- and he with them. We are looking forward to engaging in the 2w camp program!! Our vet is also delighted we have decided on this company/this program as a great fit!— Rachel Parent
Posted September 27th 2024
We love our home sessions with Dallin. We learn so much each visit.— Rosanne Gerrard
Posted September 25th 2024
They take the time to develop a plan for you and your dog, i would highly recommend them for service dog training— Joseph Lombard (Rebel dog paws)
Posted September 24th 2024
Great direction for me and a fun and structured atmosphere during training for my dog Phoenix!— tracy brickner
Posted September 24th 2024
These trainers are masters at their craft! With their techniques and training our dog enjoys more freedom and the ability to go camping, hiking or whatever adventure comes our way.— Ryan Roudebush
Posted September 23rd 2024
Deidre is fantastic and has brought out a whole new side of our dog. Instructions are clear and tailored to us and how we learn. She has amazing insight into how to clean up our commands and how to fix anything we are struggling with. I'm so grateful that we chose to do this.— Erica Gravity
Posted September 19th 2024
My dog loves her. She is so excted to be here. She knows het job well.— Cherie Zeeman
Posted September 19th 2024
Today was our fourth training session with Elite, I couldn’t be happier. Bailey has trained with both Meaghan and Deidre both trainers have been AWESOME! Every single training session has helped me to be the best leader I can be. Bailey is my first from scratch puppy, I was so concerned that I would do things with her that would lead to bad behaviors that she would have to unlearn and it would be my fault, as soon as we started our training with Elite those fears went away immediately!! With Elites help I am confident we will achieve our goals!! I am so grateful! Bailey is doing so well, I can’t wait until we complete our training and we can go everywhere together! I am really look forward to being able to go through the doors that were closed on me 17 years ago when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I know with Elites help Bailey and I will be ready to explore a whole new world together and that will change my life! Conclusion… If you are looking for assistance training your puppy or dog, without a shred of hesitation I would recommend that you give ELITE the opportunity to help you in the ways they are helping us!! It is an investment with limitless rewards for you and your puppy!!— Kimberly Gagon
Posted September 18th 2024
Kind, experienced, and effective trainers made this a wonderful experience. I noticed an improvement after our first session. Highly recommend!— Chris Davis
Posted September 18th 2024
Where do I begin, this training experience was amazing. I am throughly impressed with the knowledge passed along from the one, the only… Deidre Wilson. Deidre’s energy is amazing and makes learning for my dog and I so much more positive and enjoyable. I will forever recommend Dog Training Elite of Utah County to anyone with a K9 young or old.— HawaiianPrepper
Posted September 18th 2024
This has been the absolute best experience. Deidre was incredible. She made me and my dog feel do comfortable.— Samantha Rasmussen
Posted September 18th 2024
Deidre is so awesome and she is welcoming. I feel safe around her and I trust her!! I feel more strengthened and empowered after her training.— Joshua Jackson
Posted September 17th 2024
Trust the Puppy Obedience Training Professionals
It may be tempting to try and correct a puppy behavior problem on your own, but often DIY training can take more work and time than necessary or even go wrong and cause more significant issues. The professional dog trainers at Dog Training Elite are ready to help you and your pup with any behavior problems with our excellent puppy obedience training programs.
Dog Training Elite specializes in in-home training for you and your pup, taking into account your pup’s unique needs as well as the needs of your home and family. Request an in-home assessment today!
