Puppy testing boundaries? How to get your dog to listen and behave.

Question

My puppy is around the age in which he starts testing boundaries and wanting to no do as I ask. But he’s not a wild case where he isn’t listening to me at all. I just want tips on how i can get over this hard time? And what can I do for MYSELF to help him. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 7 months and 28 days old | 115 lbs

C. Rathjens, DVM · Accepted Answer

I would recommend increasing physical and mental stimulation for Bear. Aim for working up to an hour of walking and 3-6 ten minute sessions of training/mind work during the day. By mind work, I mean finding hidden treats in the house, working on eating a frozen kong, or working on another food toy. You can actually feed him all his meals in a food toy if he's highly food motivated. Secondly, I would encourage you to think very specifically about what a well mannered dog means to you and work on actively encouraging those behaviors and ignoring/redirecting bad behaviors. If a he's not listening, he either doesn't understand what you want, can't (due to fear or physical pain), or isn't sufficiently motivated (ie you want him to "come" and then give him a piece of lettuce as a reward - he's going to be less likely to do it in the future, unless he's a dog who is super motivated by praise from you. But many dogs need the food motivation for a long time as well). I hope that helps! I know it's a difficult time.

Puppy testing boundaries? How to get your dog to listen and behave.

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