How to Stop Your Puppy from Destroying Things: Puppy Training Tips

Puppies are curious and energetic, so biting and exploring with their teeth is a completely natural behavior. However, it can also mean ruining shoes, furniture, and other valuable items. With proper training, the right supplies, and patience, you can successfully control this behavior.

Raising a Puppy: How to Teach It Proper Behavior

Proper training begins with consistency and positive reinforcement.

  • Reward the desired behavior – a treat or praise as soon as your puppy does something correctly.
  • Ignore unwanted behavior (if it's not dangerous) – focus on positive habits.
  • Set clear rules – all family members should use the same commands and limits.

Research confirms that positive learning methods improve cooperation and reduce stress in dogs. (1*)

How to prevent chewing and destroying objects in the house?

Chewing is often a result of teething, boredom, or excess energy.
Solutions:

  • offer enough chew toys made of different materials,
  • Provide regular physical and mental stimulation (walks, games, learning tricks),
  • Use a fence or crate to confine your puppy when you can't supervise him.
  • Keep valuables out of reach.

Scientific research shows that dogs that have access to appropriate toys and enough activity are less likely to develop destructive behavior. (2*)

Puppy Socialization: Why It's Important for a Long-Term Harmonious Life

The socialization of a puppy between the ages of 3 and 14 has a significant impact on its behavior in adulthood. (3*)

Recommendations:

  • introduce him to different people, dogs and environments,
  • expose him to different sounds, surfaces and situations,
  • always associate new experiences with a positive reward.

A well-socialized dog is confident, calm, and less prone to behavioral problems.

Conclusion

Destroying objects is a normal phase for puppies, but it can be managed with proper training, appropriate toys, and early socialization. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement will help your puppy grow up to be a well-behaved and happy dog.

Literature: (*)

1. Source: Dog training methods: Their use, effectiveness and interaction with behavior and welfare, (E. Hiby, NJ Rooney), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261106650_Dog_training_methods_Their_use_effectiveness_and_interaction_with_behaviour_and_welfare

2. Source: A practitioner's guide to working dog welfare, (N. Rooney, S. Gaines, E. Hiby), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787808002633

3. Source: Puppy parties and beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior, (TJ Howell, T. King, PC Bennett), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30101101/

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