5 Insights into Your Puppy's Behavior

Getting a new puppy can be a fantastic experience, whether it will be a family dog or a solo companion. Of course, there is also a lot that goes into being a responsible dog owner. It’s vital to properly care for, train, and understand your pup to establish the best relationship. 

This is where it can be incredibly beneficial to learn more about your puppy’s behavior and what it means. Not only will this help you to understand your puppy better, but it can also assist in improving certain behaviors. 

Understanding Behavior During Puppy Training

We will cover some of the most common behaviors that can occur during puppy training and when you first bring them home. However, it is important to note that these are far from all of the behaviors you may see from your pup. 

We encourage you to stay informed throughout the process of training your new pup. Ultimately, this will allow you to be the best owner you can be. Take a look!

Puppy Moods and Posture

Your new puppy will have a multitude of moods, and you should know how to identify them to respond correctly. These can include:

• Relaxed. This will be your puppy’s baseline body language when they are comfortable and calm. You should learn to recognize their baseline to help you identify any strange or dissimilar behavior. 

• Alert. If your puppy perks up and seems alert, it simply means something has caught their attention. This will be common as they learn about all the new things they are experiencing. 

• Playful. A common stance for playful puppies and dogs is the “bow.” They may also be bouncing around and show exaggerated movements. This is the time to engage them in games or other physical and mental stimulation. 

• Fearful. A fearful puppy may tuck their tail or avoid the “threat.” They may also appear disinterested, depressed, or tremble/cower. This can happen when they first experience things they are unfamiliar with. Be sure to give them enough puppy socialization to understand these unknowns and get used to them. 

Chewing and Nibbling

Chewing or nibbling is a common problem for many puppy owners. This is most common when puppies are teething. Rather than punishing, this is the time to provide them with proper chew toys and reinforce their use. 

Curiosity

One of the staples of puppyhood is overwhelming curiosity. Your puppy will be experiencing most things for the first time, which can make them curious or apprehensive. This is why puppy socialization and desensitization is crucial during this time. 

Licking

Some puppies just love to lick. It seems like no matter what you do or try, they just want to lick your hands or face. This can be a sign that they are trying to communicate something. Many times, they may be simply showing affection. 

Crying

Crying is a sign your puppy is upset about something. It could mean several things, including hunger, loneliness, boredom, injury, or because they need to go out to use the bathroom. This is where it is important to learn your puppy's body language and needs, as it can make it easy to identify how to remedy the issue. 

Start Puppy Behavior Training

One of the best things you can do is start puppy training as soon as you bring your new family member home. Puppies are typically brought home at around 8 weeks old, and this is a great time for them to begin learning. 

Sure enough, beginning puppy behavior training at this age can help curb many negative behaviors and associations. 

Start Your Puppy Off Right with Get Joy Fresh Meals

An essential part of dog ownership is ensuring that our dogs are properly fed. Unfortunately, many mass-market kibbles skimp on the important nutrition your dog requires to thrive. 

That is where we can help here at Get Joy. Our meals are formulated to give your dog all of the proper nutrition they need to live a long and happy life. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your new family members; start them off right with our stellar fresh meals.