Anyone who has raised a dog knows that we share both joy and problems with our pet. Some of the most common puppy problems and their solutions are: CHEWING: If your puppy likes to chew, get his attention initially by trading the doomed object with one of his favorite toys. Praise your pet when he makes the correct choice on his own. Make his toys available to him and try not to leave tempting objects in his path. Be sure not to make toys out of the same type of objects, i.e., don't expect your puppy to know the difference between an old pair of shoes and a new pair! HOUSE BREAKING: House breaking your puppy may be the most time-consuming lesson with your pet. Schedule a set time to either walk or let your pet run in the yard. Praise your puppy when he eliminates outside, thereby showing him that you are pleased with what he has done and where he has done it. The most common times your puppy will need to eliminate are after sleeping, eating, drinking or playing. It is also helpful to crate your puppy at night since they do not want to eliminate in the same immediate area where they sleep. If this method does not solve the problem, discuss other methods with your veterinarian. More next week!
