I have started getting the calls I see every spring:
Biting puppies, puppies peeing inside, puppies “ignoring commands”….
Most people want these issues to be fixed… Immediately. But what we really have to remember is that these puppies are just babies. They are not mature dogs, and many won’t be mature dogs until they are two or three years of age.
A common reason people call me is that they want to be able to walk their dog without being pulled down the street. They tell me that their dog has zero leash manners, and now they hate taking their dog out on leash. This is primarily due to a lack of communication and understanding between dog and owner.
We may want our dog to take rewards that are convenient for us, like kibble or “regular” treats we buy , but for many dogs this will only be a good reinforcement in low distraction or home environments. When we are asking a dog to overcome a natural desire or personality trait, or to work in a busy environment, we may need to adjust our reward.
