Barking, Ankle Biting, Chewing, and Digging: Assertive Behavior in Puggles and the Puggle Head Tilt!
Puggles can be quite assertive, even aggressive at times, and particularly if not handled and trained properly!
Puggles tend to exhibit certain traits peculiar to the Beagles and Pug hybrid, to include:
1) Barking incessantly
2) Ankle biting
3) Chewing
4) Digging
5) Aggressive behavior, particularly among males and between males of different species
If handled properly, Puggles are a joy. TuffGuy is one of the most enjoyable dogs we have owned, personality plus!
However, if Puggles are not trained properly, if clear boundaries are not established early, they can be little monsters, pound for pound, a dog devoted to one thing, making your life a living nightmare…or so it will seem!
With respect to all of the above behaviors, there are clear and concise strategies for dealing with them effectively. Here are some of them:
Barking: Do not bark back!
Simply stop what you are doing and turn to the little devil and put up one finger and in a small, still voice (SSV) say, “Stop!” Then, look at them closely, even matching their gaze eye to eye, generally a sign of aggression but if you use a small, still voice (SSV) you can often get away with it, and say “Stop!” again. Be firm and, when the behavior stops praise them, pet them, and make a big deal out of the behavior.
Then, turn and walk away. If it starts again, repeat the behavior and make sure to reinforce the positive behavior. Before long he or she will get the idea and it will stop completely with just a finger pointed up.
Note: Some “doggy gurus” have suggested that ignoring will work, it may in some cases but I have also heard Puggles bark for hours nonstop. The finger point and the SSV always work!
Ankle biting: Usually when someone is leaving the house or apartment and your little one doesn’t want you to go!
In this case use the exact same strategy as you would for barking, I find that works best. However, once in a while you have to do something different. I often change my routine before leaving. You see, when you get ready to leave, they sense that and start undergoing separation anxiety. In order to break the pattern, simply alter the routine you use before leaving. This is quite effective and before you know it, the behavior goes extinct!
Chewing: Dogs chew and Puggles chew a lot!
Get plenty of chew toys and make sure you get chew toys they like. They will punish you for purchasing toys they don’t like, they will find something of yours that they do like! Bones are best, and I am talking about cow femurs! Have your grover or butcher cut the cow upper leg bones, the femur, into 6 inch pieces and then bake them until hard, usually 350 degrees for about an hour. Then, let them cool and ration them, watching that they don’t get worked down or your little buddy will revert to old habits…like your shoes!
They will love the bones and will carry them everywhere…problem solved!
BTW, it doesn’t hurt to puppy proof the house, you expect a 2 year old child to get into things…your Puggle is said to have the intelligence of a smart 2 year old, so they get into things!
Digging: Like chewing, this is something Puggles do!
First and foremost, keep their nails short and rounded. If you take your Puggle on regular walks you will never have an issue with sharp nails. Additionally, make sure your Puggle has his or her own space, including a blanket. Digging is due to a combination of behaviors, so it takes effort to extinguish it…but it can be done. Watch closely and when your Puggle begins to dig, stop then with a sharp “No!” or a loud clap of your hand! Either one will interrupt the pattern long enough for you to involve them in some other behavior, then praise your Puggle lavishly and consistently!
Aggressive intra or interspecies behavior: Puggles are assertive and it does no good to try to be the alpha yourself!
You must to watch for aggressive behavior and separate your Puggle immediately, without rewarding the Puggle for aberrant behavior. If you can find a balance between intervening and rewarding the behavior, and intervening and ignoring the behavior, you will be on the road to balance.
Remember, you are talking about dogs and they will work things out in the pack, so don’t micro manage; and, as much as possible, let them work it out…as difficult as this may be for you!
All in all, Puggles are an intelligent and loving breed and, if trained properly, they will provide you with years of delightful companionship. You must be consistent and your must be kind. If you can be consistent and lovingly respectful, they will, return the love and respect; and, training your Puggle will get a easier and the experience more enjoyable!
Best wishes for a long and happy relationship!
John and TuffGuy
John Zajaros and TufGuy
216-539-7412
Skype: johnzajaros1
tuffguy@PugglePlace.com
PS, If these Puggle training problems continue to be an issue, go to Puggle Place Dog Training Course for more information, at once!
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