Getting a new puppy is a fun and interesting time. You probably
went to a breeder or pet store or maybe just saw an ad on the
Internet or the newspaper, for puppies, and decided just to check it
out. Before you knew it those little eyes and fluffy puppy fur had
your heart melting and you were headed home with him or her in
your arms. If you are like most new pet owners you had visions of
playing fetch with your dog, of watching him frolic at the lake, and
of cuddling up on cold nights.
However, you probably failed to realize that the behaviors you
dream of in a dog do not come naturally. In fact, the more natural
behaviors for most puppies include lovely little things like chewing
up your favorite shoes, barking every second of the day, and
peeing wherever they are when the mood strikes them. These
behaviors might seem cute at first, or even manageable but, if left
unchecked they can lead to a very bad adult dog.
The problem with puppies that are not trained is that they grow
into untrained dogs. An untrained dog can be a nuisance. All of
that cute little yipping can quickly become loud barking that keeps
you and your neighbors up for nights on end. The little teeth marks
in your shoes can turn into destroyed furniture and a destroyed
home before you know it. Likewise, those cute little puppy poops
are not so cute when the dog is 75 pounds and has the excrement to
match.
Untrained dogs can also be very dangerous. All dogs can bite. It is
in their nature to defend with everything they have, including their
teeth. You have to teach your dog not to use their teeth so that no
one winds up hurt, at least not when they are playing with them.
While we all expect our dog to protect us in a worst-case scenario
situation, you should train your dog to be non-confrontational.
