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Behaviour and training

Puppies

• Socialise your puppy properly.

• Start as you mean to go on – the golden rule is to ignore bad behaviour and give lots of praise and attention for behaviour that you do want. Try not to ignore your puppy whenever he is being good or he’ll find all sorts of mischievous ways to get you to notice him.

• Don’t allow your puppy to jump up at people – it’s cute now but will hurt when he’s fully grown! Only greet your puppy if he has all four feet on the ground – preferably in a sit.

• Puppies naturally use their mouths and teeth in play and you’ll have to teach him that it isn’t allowed. When he touches your skin with his teeth, “yelp” out loud, like another puppy would when play gets too rough. If this doesn’t work, just walk away from your puppy and stop the game. He’ll soon get the idea that biting will only spoil the fun. If your puppy is a persistent biter then seek advice from your vet.

• If your puppy steals or chews your belongings, gently exchange them for one of his fun toys and encourage him to have a game with it. Leave plenty of his toys around and keep things you don’t want him to chew out of reach, so that he can’t be naughty in the first place.

Adolescent dogs

• Keep up that kind and consistent training and continue with his socialisation. If you started training your puppy as soon as you got him with simple commands, then perhaps try something new and exciting like clicker training to teach him some new tricks. Do consider attending a training class. 

• Chewing should start to subside as your puppy should have all of his adult teeth by the age of 7 months.

• Hormonal changes can affect behaviour at this age. Neutering at around 6 months of age may prevent certain problem behaviours from starting in the first place. Neutering after these problems are apparent may help to improve them, but a period of training or behavioural therapy may also be needed.

• Males in particular, will start to cock their legs and possibly scent mark around the home, may become less obedient, more easily distracted and interested by other dogs in the park. He will become more independent and may start to show aggressive behaviour towards other male dogs. He may also start mounting other dogs, people or the family cat and could become very territorial. Although many male dogs adjust with time and become well behaved members of the canine community, others may not find it so easy.

• Although most females tend to sail through puberty, they may behave very badly in the weeks coming up to their first season.

Adult dogs

• Dogs should be a lot calmer than they were at the adolescent stage. Behaviour problems, if present, should be pretty obvious by now.

• If you need help with behaviour problems then check out the behaviour problem section for advice. Alternatively speak to your vet and ask to be referred to a behaviour counsellor if necessary. If your dog was adopted from a Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, please contact the centre directly for free help and advice.

Geriatric dogs

• As dogs get older they can become less tolerant of change, irritable (especially if suffering from age related health problems such as arthritis), noisy and tend to sleep a lot.

• Many behavioural changes can be due to an underlying medical disorder, so seek advice from a vet if you are concerned.

• To help your dog remain mentally active try to provide new and interesting aspects to his routine. Make plenty of time for games and interaction with him.