Pet Talk
No-No’s That Puppies Find Hard to Resist
By Frances Goodman
Some things are irresistible to puppies, and many of them we would rather not have in puppy’s mouth.
Around four to six months, depending on breed, puppies can start learning things like “Stay” and “Drop it!” if appropriate training is provided for the pup and the family.
Even then, it will take some time for their manners to shape up.
So until maturity and training begin kicking in, forget about making corrections for stolen items. Remember, puppies are babies!
It’s best to help them be good by keeping temptation out of their reach.
A Few No-No’s
Puppies Can’t Resist
We already know shoes are irresistible. Keep them safely closed away. And never give an old one as a toy, because this teaches that shoes are okay for chewing. (Puppies don’t know the difference between new ones and old ones.) Shoes also may contain toxic chemicals.
Here are five more things puppies find hard to resist:
1. Family socks — Recently worn socks and undies are irresistible. Plus, it’s great fun to run through the house carrying dad’s sock with the family members in hot pursuit. Even more fun if someone is yelling! To the puppy, it’s an exciting game with the puppy as the leader. He will definitely want to do this again!
Solution: Keep temptation off the floor, clothes baskets off limits, and closet doors closed. Train the family! Never chase and yell. (See Dangerous Contraband section below for what to do.)
2. The waste basket — Puppies are fascinated by treasures in the waste basket. Especially paper towels and tissues with our personal scent on them. Solution: Keep trash behind closed doors or in sturdy wastebaskets with sturdy tops.
3. Moss in the potted plant — This is really fun to play with and shake, maybe even eat. Solution: For everyone’s sake, eliminate the moss. Throw it out. The plants don’t really need it, and the issue is resolved.
4. The plant – Of course, many puppies will put most anything in their mouth, including the plant! Some are highly toxic but even non-toxic plants can cause an upset stomach if ingested.
Solution: Relocate or block access to the plant, or eliminate it if it’s a toxic variety planted in the yard. (Visit aspca.org and click on animal poison control center under “pet care” for a list of toxic plants.)
5. The cat’s litterbox — Few dogs of any age can resist a snack from the litter box! And that can make them quite sick. A barrier or gate between the dog and the litter box area, so only the cat can get through or over, may be the best answer. The same solution may be needed to keep the pup out of the cat’s chow.
Dangerous Contraband
If a “stolen” item is dangerous, never scream. Move calmly but quickly. Disrupt the activity by using a squirt bottle with clean water to spritz the pup right in the face, or shake an empty cola can with 12 pennies in it, accompanied by a cross-sounding “NO!” (These items should be on hand already.)
If necessary, drop a towel or blanket over the puppy to control it.
Quickly and calmly remove the item and re-focus the pup on another activity.
Every puppy owner should know how to place the fingers of one hand around the top jaw and the thumb of the other hand on the center of the bottom jaw and gently – gently – open a puppy’s mouth in order to remove an object. If uncertain, ask your vet to show you.
If the item is not dangerous, act as if you are ignoring the problem and begin a new more exciting “game” that will attract the puppy — such as bouncing a ball or squeaking a toy — hopefully causing the item to be dropped.
Then remove it or have it removed with as little fuss as possible. Always be sure there are several appealing toys to offer as acceptable alternatives.
And remember, wait until the pup has had the benefit of some maturity and proper training before even thinking of corrections.
For puppies, prevention is the best policy!
Frances Goodman is a professional dog obedience trainer and pet care writer. Got a question? Email her at [email protected]. See her ad this page.