Dear New Puppy Owner
Do you find yourself chasing your new pup around the yard, trying to contain him while walking, or starting to see he doesn’t listen to you? While these may seem like different problems, they actually have one significant thing in common: your dog thinks they are in charge!
To have a happy, loving relationship with your puppy, they have to be comfortable in following you! Here are some helpful tips and tricks for becoming the a leader worth following. Set rules, boundaries, and limitations, then enforce them! Let your pup know that each action has conditions that you control. If he disobeys, address the problem immediately with a consequence.
Project calm and confident attitude with a tall, relaxed posture, and don’t make eye contact when your dog misbehaves. Making eye contact can enforce a behavior you might not want. Guide your dog with a short, relaxed leash. Tension on the leash can project a feeling that the dog is not doing what it should be doing and protective energy and territorial excitement, which encourages your dog to pull and bark.
Here is a big thing that can help give your dog the feeling that it is in charge… having your dog walk in front of you. When your dog is in front, it puts him in control and makes him think he’s the leader. If your dog feels like they are the leader, it put them in a position that they might be stressed trying to keep you both safe and secure.
Walking with your puppy every day and encouraging behaviors you want (and discouraging behaviors you don’t) can go a long way in improving your relationship and future.