Welcome back to our new Puppy Series blog: Walking and Playing!
Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting journey, but it’s crucial to establish proper boundaries early on, especially when it comes to walking and playing. Without clear guidelines, your adorable pup might develop habits that are hard to break later when they are larger and stronger!
Let’s explore five common mistakes new puppy owners make and how to avoid them when walking or playing with puppies.
🐾 Puppy Mistake One: Allowing Leash Pulling
It’s often easier to let a small puppy lead the way during walks, but this can lead to persistent pulling behavior as they grow.
How to Avoid It:
- Start leash training early and teach your puppy to walk beside you with a loose leash.
- Use positive reinforcement, rewarding them when they stay by your side.
- Avoid using retractable leashes, which can encourage pulling.
To Learn “How To STOP Cane Corso from Pulling,”
Click here for this helpful video!
🐾Puppy Mistake Two: Encouraging Rough Play
While playtime is essential, allowing or encouraging rough behavior can lead to issues such as biting or aggression, which can develop into potentially dangerous behaviors as the Corso pup (or other large breed) matures and becomes stronger.
How to Avoid It:
- Set clear boundaries during play, stopping the game if your puppy becomes too rough or aggressive.
- Teach bite inhibition (also known as a “soft mouth”) by yelping and withdrawing attention when the puppy bites too hard (like their mother and littermates do).
- Provide appropriate chew toys to redirect their energy.
Learn more about
“How to Stop Your Cane Corso Puppy Biting.”
🐾 Puppy Mistake Three: Inconsistent Rules
Inconsistency can confuse your puppy, making it harder for them to learn and exhibit acceptable behaviors consistently.
How to Avoid It:
- Establish clear rules for walking and playing, and ensure all family members enforce them consistently.
- Use the same commands and signals to avoid confusion.
- Consistency helps your puppy understand expectations and builds trust and obedience.
🐾 Puppy Mistake Four: Neglecting Socialization
Socialization is more than just meeting other dogs; it’s about exposing your puppy to various environments, people, and situations.
How to Avoid It:
- Introduce your puppy to different settings, sounds, and experiences gradually.
- Enroll in puppy socialization classes to provide safe and controlled exposure to new people, dogs, sounds, smells and environment.
- Proper socialization reduces fear and anxiety in new situations and builds the puppy’s overall confidence.
ICYMI: Puppy Series: Mistakes People Make: Puppy Socialization
🐾 Puppy Mistake Five: Skipping Boundary Training
Without proper boundaries, puppies may develop undesirable behaviors that persist into adulthood.
How to Avoid It:
- Teach your puppy where they can and cannot go, both indoors and outdoors.
- Use tools like baby gates or playpens to set physical boundaries.
- For guidance, refer to AKC’s boundary training tips.
🐶 The Final Word: The Importance of Early Boundaries
Setting boundaries during walking and playing isn’t about restricting fun; it’s about ensuring safety and socially acceptable behavior. Early training helps your puppy understand expectations, making walks enjoyable and playtime safe. Remember, the habits you establish now will shape your dog’s behavior for years to come.
Puppy Life: The 6 Critical Stages of Development
Note: Always consult with a professional dog trainer or veterinarian to tailor training practices to your puppy’s specific needs.
Stay tuned for the final part of this Puppy Series as we delve into another common mistake puppy owners often make with feeding.
Cane Corso Breeding: For Us, It’s Personal!
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