New owner`s guide to puppy behavior

Got a `teenage` puppy?

Normal puppy behavior - what does it look like?

The `puppy crazies` (aka `the zoomies)

Puppy behavior is often irresistibly cute... at other times it can be frustrating, confusing or even downright worrying!

Cute as they are, puppies aren`t perfect (well, who is?) and every new owner has times when they wonder what on earth is going on in their pets` head... and whether everything is okay.

I`ve seen, and heard, just about every type of puppy behavior there is, and over the years I`ve also learned how to handle them.

Sometimes you don`t need to do anything except love the little furball.

At other times you need to correct his behavior in a way he`ll understand, or get some professional help from a dog trainer or veterinarian.

Got A `Teenage` Puppy?

Growing puppies go through the teenage stage, just the way growing humans do.... and it can be equally as challenging for their parents.

Check out the survival guide to Puppy Adolescent Behavior and you`ll find the whole teenage thing a lot easier to handle!

Those tiny little play barks, wobbly legs and general puppy clumsiness, a `shadow` that follows you everywhere.... this is all normal puppy behavior, and who doesn`t love all that?

But not ALL their `little ways` are adorable.

Problem behaviors such as barking, nipping and biting, chewing, peeingindoors, crying all night, acting `aggressively` (and many more) are pretty much an accepted part of puppy parenting.

Of course, most of these are perfectlynormal too, but they`re still definitely less than cute!

Then there are the things puppies do that worry their new momma - endless hiccups, sleeping puppies who twitch, whine and breath erratically, upset tummies, hysterics when left alone....

On this page you`ll learn all about what`s generally considered to be normal puppy behavior, and what`s not - plus how to know when you need help.

This way you`ll get to enjoy the short-lived days of puppy-hood more... and worry less. That`s got to be a good thing!

Normal Puppy Behavior - What Does It Look Like?

Although we love our puppies like children, they`re not children - they`re baby dogs, and dogs do things that their human family members often doesn`t understand!

What`s normal for a puppy and works perfectly well within his canine family, often isn`t such a good fit once he`s in his new forever home.

So, just because a certain puppy behavior is `normal` in the canine world, that doesn`t mean it`s okay or that you shouldn`t discourage it.

Guarding food and possessions however, is just as common in young puppies as in older pups or adult dogs.

Dogs (even puppies) often realize that the adults in the home are in charge and in their minds children are their siblings and equal in status.

That`s why a puppy or dog may be fine with adults, but `bossy` or dominant around a child.

Very (VERY) few puppies are truly aggressive, so don`t panic or think the worst if your little guy is `nippy` or `bossy`!

It`s important to make sure that your puppy realizes that every human (regardless of age/size) is higher up in the pecking order than he is, be sure to involve your kids in feeding, playing and training sessions.

Dogs respect those who are in charge of the resources of life, and food is a biggie, so having your children share responsibility for feeding, training etc. will reinforce their superior position.

As well as teaching basic obedience commands and manners at home, taking your puppy to training classes will help him to learn to respect, trust and obey you instinctively.

It will strengthen the bond between you and help you to learn to handle any puppy behavior problems that arise.

Find out what types of `aggressive` behavior worries other puppy owners, and see my suggestions for handling them, HERE.

Separation Anxiety

If your puppy or dog gets hysterical when you go out and leave him at home, or even when he`s simply in another room where he can`t see you, he might be suffering from something called canine separation anxiety.

Although this is a real behavior issue, it can be difficult to be sure whether your dog is actually suffering from true anxiety or is simply nervous or unsettled when you`re not around.

Almost all puppies whine, cry and/or bark when left alone even for short periods and this puppy behavior is absolutely normal (and is an inborn safety mechanism which keeps them safe in the wild).

As your little guy grows older and more self-confident this clinginess will disappear.

For more on this, visit my page on Separation Anxiety In Puppies.

True separation anxiety is quite different, and dogs who suffer from it can have mild, moderate or even severe anxiety attacks which leave him (and you) very upset, even frantic.

So, how can you tell if it`s separation anxiety? Here are a few clues:

Your dog gets so upset he loses control of his bladder/bowels and pees or poops in his crate, his playpen, the room, or wherever he`s been left

He howls, barks or whines endlessly

He destroys his toys, carpets, furniture... anything that he can get to when left alone. Dogs who are very anxious can do an incredible amount of damage - usually mostly with their teeth

He paces, pants or drools incessantly

This behavior happens every time you leave himher alone

If you have an adult dog with this issue, check out this page Separation Anxiety In Dogs.

The `Puppy Crazies` (aka `The Zoomies)

There`s one aspect of puppy behavior that I get asked about a lot... and that`s the crazy-hyper behavior that puppies often show towards the end of the day.

Trust me, you`ll know it if you see it!

Usually this involves Fido running in circles around a room, or through the whole house - and not just once, he`ll do it over and over again.

Often this running is accompanied by some barking and can include jumping at, or nipping at, people or other pets in the home.

New puppy owners are often totally taken aback by this and wonder what on earth is wrong with their pup - the answer is `nothing`!

Many, many puppies act this way. It`s basically a developmental phase. Young puppies get over-tired and over-stimulated easily, and their immature nervous systems don`t know how to deal with this overload.

So, what happens is your pup gets wound up tighter and tighter during the day... and then sometime in the late afternoon/early evening (usually somewhere between 4pm and 8pm) he hits `overwound`. Then the crazies start.

For a pup who is just running around, maybe with the occasional bark/yap, it`s not too big a deal, he`ll work off some steam and then usually go and take a rest.

But often a pup is so over-excited that he starts barking, and jumping on furniture, or on people and nipping at hands, feet, pants, other pets and so on. This is a big `no-no`, and if Fido behaves this way then you need to step in.

How your pup reacts to your intervention will depend a lot on his individual personality.

Sometimes a verbal correction, something like `No Fido! Go slow` and a redirection of his attention/energy to a more constructive (and quieter) game or activity can reset his zoomie-switch.

But if your puppy is way too excited to listen and won`t calm down, then you need to give him a 10 - 15 minute `time out` (basically just some `quiet time`) either in his crate, or in a separate room.

Because puppies and dogs use chewing as a major stress-reliever (this is one of the reasons why dogs chew up everything in sight if they`re left at home and anxious), it`s very important to make sure that your pup has some safe, sturdy chew toys to play with during his quiet time.

Other things that can help reduce the intensity of the puppy crazies, or help Fido to unwind faster, include:

Playing low calming music for him while he`s in `time-out`. Classical or `elevator-type` music is good. Or there are relaxation CD`s made specifically for dogs which are great.
Using a pheromone collar (worn continuously) and/or a pheromone diffuser in his time out room. This is a totally safe & natural way to reduce your puppys` anxiety levels.
Making sure that Fido gets plenty of exercise (both physical and mental) as well as enough naps during the day.

Once you understand what`s causing your little guys nutty behavior it`s easier to handle it calmly and consistently, which makes it less of a problem.

Eventually this will just be another fond memory of Fidos` puppyhood :)

Puppy Behavior & Illness

The way your puppy behaves can also tell you when something is wrong and he`s not feeling well.

YOU know your puppy better than anyone else, so it`s easier for you to tell when he`s `just not himself` and it`s important to always trust your instincts on this.

If you`re in doubt always make sure you get your little guy to your veterinarian for a check up.

Here are a few clues that your pup might show in terms of unusual behavior if he`s sick....

He`s MUCH more tired than normal, sleeps a lot and doesn`t seem to be interested in anything or anyone

He loses his appetite

He`s restless - pacing, panting, whining, clingy...

He`s more irritable than normal, doesn`t want to be touched, cuddled or petted

Of course, there are lots of other symptoms that a sick puppy might exhibit, but these puppy behavior changes can also be an early-warning system that it`s worth paying attention to.