Puppies often come pre-packaged with as much personality as we can contend with, and they’re curious about everything. This can be as much of a blessing as it is a curse, at least initially, because you’re exasperated, but they’re so cute you can’t really stay frustrated for long. A dangerous combination, and our furry friends use it without mercy.
That being said, sometimes that excitability can lead to real issues once they get bigger, especially if they grow large. You simply can’t have them dive at anyone who comes into your house, even out of love, because not everyone expects or can contend with it physically.
It’s a shame, but we have to tamp down that natural enthusiasm and give them the gift of self-restraint. It’s okay, because that’s a little more dignified. However, if your pooch is rocketing around at a thousand miles an hour, we hope to give some advice to get you started:
Find A Great Training School
Believe it or not, good trainer can work small miracles. Even if you have chaos at home, it often looks very different when a professional steps in, because they see patterns you may have missed and have the impartial presence a dog sometimes needs.
Training schools also give your puppy the chance to mix with other dogs in a structured way, which makes them less frantic when visitors come over. The real benefit is that you’re learning alongside them, so the commands, rewards, and corrections feel natural in your daily routine rather than like an occasional performance, especially if you’re connected to one in your area, such as with dog training in L.A.
Set Boundaries & Be Consistent
Dogs learn quickly, but only when the message is the same each time. If you sometimes let them leap onto the sofa but scold them the next day, they’ll just end up confused. It’s better to decide on the rules early and stick with them, even if it feels strict, because that way, your pup learns their place in the family and they’ll actually be more relaxed once they know where the limits are.
Don’t worry you’re not being manipulative, humans learn the same way after all. But you have to let them know where the boundary is so they don’t feel puzzled about why you chastise them sometimes, but fuss over them at other times.
Warn Guests & Lock Off Household Areas (Where Suitable)
Even with training, excitement can boil over, especially when someone new walks through the door. If your dog wants to be best friends with everyone that can be nice (and preferable to aggression), but jumping on someone like an elderly relative can be a real risk.
As such, giving visitors a quick heads-up before they meet your dog keeps everyone at ease, and it can save your pup from overwhelming someone who isn’t as confident around animals. Often, the simplest fix is to close off a room or use a baby gate until things settle down. It’s not forever either, but it gives both sides the breathing room to start on the right foot.
With this advice, we hope you can deal with a particularly energetic puppy.
