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	DOG INFO Chewing Biting Exercise Jumping CHEWING Like babies, young puppies explore the world by tasting or chewing all that they find. The best way to deal with this, as with children, is to be diligent and remove from their reach anything harmful or things they may consider an exciting proposition. This should include wiring (tuck behind furniture), cleaning supplies and small objects. Secure your cupboard doors with childproof fasteners so you don't come home to find Grandma's antique china dish set in little pieces across the dining room floor. Another good deterrent is to buy a bunch of soft and specially designed dog toys, whose sole purpose is for your puppy to chew to his heart's content. Whenever you leave your dog alone, remember to leave them an array of these toys to play with. If you're at home and see your dog contemplating its next feast, be quick with the toys as an alternative. Some products are specially made to deter chewing, but to be honest, you'd be wasting your money. The best way to curb this activity is with a watchful eye and some acceptable alternatives. BITING Like chewing, biting is a natural behavior for young puppies. However, unlike chewing, biting should be deterred as soon as possible. If a puppy bites you, yelp pitifully to show that he hurt you. Then give him one of his toys. With an older dog, use a raised voice and say something along the lines of, ``NO BITING!" When I say `raised' voice, I mean be firm. We want our dogs to like us, we don't want to be instilling terror and breaking windows here. If this puppy behavior persists, stop playing with him and walk away. With an older dog, call a time-out and put him in a separate room until he's calmed down. Continue these exercises until your dog realizes that this behavior is not acceptable. Although a puppy's bite may seem harmless, the results of a biting dog can be severe. STOP THE PRESSES!! Miracle cure found for all types of canine ailments and behavioral problems: EXCERSIZE n both canines and humans, physical exercise strengthens our bodies and increases our lifespan. Exercise helps us burn calories and increase the speed of our metabolism, aiding fat burn even during rest, keeping us slim, svelte and healthy. Exercise also contributes to good mental agility. So your dog`s chewing the couch and indulging in a little excessive barking? It's not because he's mad at you. It's because he's bored—pure and simple. Dog trainers and ``pet therapists" make money knowing that little secret. Now you know it—use it and make your dog's life a bit more interesting and fulfilled in the process! Dogs weren't bred to lie around the house in the sun. They were bred to perform daily tasks, alongside humans, such as pulling sleds, herding sheep and performing rescue operations. Instinctive energy such as this will build up and demand an outlet. It's up to you to make sure that this energy is channeled constructively. If you're one of those people who need a human comparison to visualize things, imagine hiring a body builder as your live-in maid. ..Now there's a thought! JUMPING Jumping is one of the most common, and most annoying, behavioral traits dogs possess, especially after an invigorating romp through a muddy swamp. It's also one of the hardest habits to break. Aside from gluing your dog to the floor, your best bet is to respond in a consistent manner. Never get angry, but respond sharply with a quick ``NO!" Never endorse this behavior, as it will only continue. There are a few ways you can accompany your response, depending on the size of dog you have: Small Dogs Smaller dogs can be discouraged from jumping with a splayed hand for them to bump into. Never hit them. Medium-Sized Dogs Medium sized dogs can be discouraged with a well-timed knee in the chest. NEVER kick them. This won't work as well with larger or smaller dogs. Large Dogs Assuming you're not trapped underneath two hundred pounds of slobbering affection, grab some skin on the neck just below the ears and tug downwards. Be firm—NEVER rough. You may find that some dogs don't respond to these corrections, viewing them more as a form of rough play or simply happy for the attention. Under these circumstances, you should ignore them and walk away. Always remember to praise your dog when it has stopped jumping. A jumping dog can be especially embarrassing when you have visitors. They too can be part of your dog's training. Instruct your friends on how you deal with it and ask them to perform the correction when required. Hopefully, in time your dog will begin to understand that this kind of behavior is not acceptable Back to top