Play Session
Unacceptable
Behavior
·
Mounting longer than 5 seconds -
best if other puppy corrects
this
·
Persistent barking
“5 bark rule = no more than 5 consecutive barks allowed.”
·
Serious fighting
·
Any panic by anybody
·
Pinning or chasing a
worried dog
·
Approaching a
cornered
fearful dog
·
Growling with
hackles raised
At a Puppy Party
Pass the Puppy
· Look
for relaxed posture.
· Test
with acceptance of food.
· If
accepting food, increase
gentle handling
· If
not accepting food, relax; no handling
It is only appropriate to
interfere if the puppies are
exhibiting repeated
unacceptable behavior. Give
puppies a lot of slack at
first. Most pups learn to
inhibit their aggression on
their own through finding
other puppies do not want to
play with an aggressive
playmate.
Try to interrupt and
redirect the
aggressive
behavior if it continues. The
dog’s natural desire to play
is the motivation to modify
its own behavior, because
inappropriate play gets a
redirection, or “time out”
for several seconds.
Controlling Unacceptable
Behavior
1. Interrupt the
behavior and redirect the
puppy towards another
puppy. No punishment or
scolding.
2. If the puppy
repeats the behavior suspend
him for a short time out, and
then allow the puppy to
resume play redirecting it
towards another puppy.
3. If the same
behavior occurs again, give
the puppy a time out in
the owners lap for the
duration of that play
session.
4. The puppy
should be allowed to play in
the next play session. If the puppy repeats the
behavior again, suspend the
aggressing puppy in the air,
then roll it on its side
(while being calm, jolly,
and being a gentle giant) on
the ground and let the other
puppies sniff all over it.
5. If the puppy
repeats aggressive play again, put in
time out on the owners lap
for the duration of the
puppy party, you may take
pup for a walk or place in a
kennel.
6. Recommend a
pet behavior analysis
prior to attending another
class.