The number one mistake that puppy owners make in raising a puppy is giving too much freedom too soon.
Puppies age 8 weeks to 6 months will often follow their humans everywhere, even off-leash. However, when hormones kick in at about 6 months the puppy will suddenly become a “teenager” and not be as dependent on its humans. Puppy owners often mistake the juvenile period of development for a sign that a puppy is “trained” to be off leash – either inside or outside. However, when the adult teeth come in (about 5 months to about 18 months), puppies turn into chewing machines! If you give the average puppy between the age of 5 months and 18 months complete freedom in your house, you will learn that lesson the hard way. Also, if you give a puppy off-leash freedom during that time period, you may learn an even harder lesson about adolescence in dogs.
Instead, prepare your puppy to get used to a crate or exercise pen as a “safe haven” indoors. This can be used to create a safe environment for your puppy to sleep in and stay in when you are not home. Also, consider getting a regular (NOT invisible) fence for your puppy. Young dogs needs lots of physical exercise! Unfortunately, an invisible fence often encourages territorial aggression, especially when put in the front yard. You don’t need to fence in your entire backyard…just a section that you can open the door and let your puppy out to play. If you are not able to put up a fenced yard where you live, consider renting our fully-fenced Off-Leash Dog Run in Youngsville. Invite a friend with a compatible dog!
If you bring your dog to a dog park, be sure that you don’t teach the dog that coming to you is the “end of fun”. Call your dog in regularly, and reward you dog with a treat or toy. Then, release your dog back to play. Teach your dog that coming back to you is fun and doesn’t always signify the end of fun. Build your recall command up so that it is one of your puppy’s favorite things to do. Also, be sure your dog doesn’t get bullied or become a bully at a dog park. Remember, natural dog groupings are a maximum of 6-8 compatible dogs. At a large dog park, the leadership and social structure changes every time a new dog enters or leaves. The analogy to a dog park social situation would be if you went in to work and your manager changed every 15 minutes, all day long. If you must use a dog park, try to go during the “off hours”, when less dogs are there.
Michele Godlevski has been a Certified Behavior Consultant since 2004.
Michele Godlevski, ACDBC, CCBC-KA, CPDT-KA, CC