For a puppy to grow up to become a well developed dog, he needs a calm and dependable master. It is better for one member of the family to take on the role of ‘master.’ Assertive puppies will grow up trying to be boss, which won't be fun in the end. A submissive puppy may spend its entire life fretting and worrying, never sure what is expected.

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IS YOUR PUPPY ASSERTIVE?

Does he immediately want to investigate new people and objects, is quick to begin play fighting games and tug-o-war and insistent and demanding for attention or for food? If the answer is yes to all, you have an assertive puppy on your hand. Your puppy is the family protector because he thinks your family belongs to him. This possessive puppy perceives small children as threat or competitor.

The first lesson you have to teach this assertive puppy is – who is boss! He will be a much happier dog in the long run if he earns praise and pleasure by obeying you, not by demanding it. This assertive puppy should not be allowed to nip or bite at you or your family even in a friendly way. He is not to be made overly excited or stimulated with assertive games of sudden actions such as waving of your arms. Do not become what your puppy perceives to be an equal and competitive playmate.

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IS YOUR PUPPY SUBMISSIVE?

The submissive puppy is a shy puppy, who is wary of new environments, new people, who tackle situations either by lying down or running away from it. The advantage of a submissive puppy is that they are easier to train than their assertive counterparts, because they wish for nothing more than to please you.

To reassure this puppy, provide a peaceful environment and a dependable schedule that includes exercise, a daily obedience session, and reliable feeding times.

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DEALING WITH SUBMISSIVE URINATION

Don’t scold a puppy if he excitedly greets you at the door and urinates in response. This tendency of submissive urination is in response to new situations/people or excitement, a sign that the puppy is uncertain of what to expect in such a situation.,

Most puppies and young dogs have a tendency to urinate in response to new situations, when meeting a stranger, or even when their owners come home and greet them excitedly. This is a sign that your puppy is uncertain about what is expected. Never scold when this happens. Puppy is already trying hard to please. Calmly reassure, ignoring the urination. Clean up later, in private.

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FEAR BITING

This happens when a puppy is afraid, but psychologically unable to be completely submissive. They usually show signs of fear and try to run away from a threatening situation, but when escape is prevented, they bite. These puppies need firm leadership and reassurance best achieved through obedience training.

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DESTRUCTIVE CHEWING

A puppy thinks, feels, learns and explores all with his mouth – for him it is the most natural thing in the world. To prevent destructive chewing it is better to keep valuable objects that are chewable safely out of reach. Actually, destructive chewing is merely a way to work off excitement and relieve frustration, not his way to get even with you. The best way to tackle this is to encourage your puppy to be calm, be easy going. Avoid chewing and biting games.

Destructive chewing happens only when no one is around and mostly within the first few minutes after the owner has left the puppy alone. Most owners feel guilty for leaving their dog alone, hence they pamper and pet their dog to no end before leaving, making the separation like a big event. You yourself have sown the first seeds for separation anxiety and destructive chewing. Instead, when you leave home for the day, don't make it into a big deal for the dog. Avoid building up emotional stress. Your last three or four minutes at home should be spent calmly reading or sitting. Then get up and leave, ignoring your puppy completely--don't even say goodbye. Arrive home the same way.

When you notice signs of destructive chewing, ignore it. I know you will be highly agitated when you see your best sofa legs have just got shorter. Remember, your puppy is not getting back at you. Even if things are a mess when you get home, don't let puppy know you care. Behave calmly. Clean up later when your puppy can't watch. Again, work on teaching simple obedience and building the teacher-learner relationship. Your puppy will unlearn this if you are calm and patient.

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DOs & DON'Ts

• Do not expose your puppy to ‘outside’ animals until its vaccination schedule is through (around 4 months of age).
• Don't bathe him until he is four or five months old, unless he is entirely filthy.
• Do not pick the puppy up by the scruff of the neck.
• Do not allow children to roughhouse or maul the puppy.
• Follow a proper vaccination schedule as instructed by the vet.
• Don't forget to get rabies shots as required by law.
• Don't let your puppy jump up and down stairs or from heights, for he might damage his delicate bones.
• Do keep the puppy well confined during the first several weeks home. A puppy that gets loose may wander away and forget, or not know, where home is.
• Do housebreak and train your dog with kindness and attention to detail.
• Give your puppy all the love and attention you can possibly spare.

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