Should I Ignore My Puppy When I Get Home? The Definitive Guide
Whether you should ignore your puppy when you get home is a nuanced question, but the short answer is: yes, initially. Ignoring your puppy for the first few moments can significantly reduce excitement levels and promote calmer behavior in the long run.
Understanding Puppy Excitement and Anxiety
Puppies are bundles of energy and enthusiasm, and your arrival home is a major event in their day. This excitement can manifest in various ways, including jumping, barking, nipping, and spinning. While these behaviors might seem endearing at first, they can quickly become overwhelming and even problematic as your puppy grows. Furthermore, excessive excitement can be a symptom of separation anxiety or simply a lack of self-control. By learning how to manage your greetings, you can help your puppy develop healthier coping mechanisms and a more balanced temperament.
Benefits of a Calm Greeting
The benefits of ignoring your puppy when you get home, at least initially, extend far beyond simply avoiding a chaotic welcome. It contributes to:
- Reduced Anxiety: A calm greeting reduces the puppy’s overall anxiety levels, teaching them that your arrival isn’t a cause for alarm.
- Improved Self-Control: By not immediately rewarding excited behavior, you’re teaching your puppy to control their impulses.
- Preventing Problem Behaviors: Discouraging jumping and barking early on prevents these behaviors from becoming ingrained habits.
- A Stronger Bond: Ironically, a calm and controlled greeting can foster a stronger bond, as it’s built on mutual respect and understanding rather than frantic excitement.
- Easier Training: A calmer puppy is more receptive to training and learning.
The Process: How to Ignore Your Puppy (Effectively)
Should I ignore my puppy when I get home? Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it right:
- Enter Calmly: Upon arriving home, enter your house quietly and calmly. Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements that could trigger your puppy’s excitement.
- Ignore Initial Greetings: This is the crucial part. Completely ignore your puppy for the first few minutes (typically 1-5 minutes). Don’t make eye contact, don’t speak to them, and don’t touch them, even if they’re jumping or barking.
- Redirect If Necessary: If your puppy is engaging in destructive behavior (e.g., biting furniture), calmly redirect them to a more appropriate activity, such as a chew toy.
- Acknowledge Calm Behavior: Once your puppy has calmed down (e.g., sitting or lying down), you can calmly acknowledge them. Use a gentle tone of voice and offer a calm, brief greeting. Pet them gently under the chin rather than over the head, which can be overstimulating.
- Reinforce Calmness: Continue to reward calm behavior throughout the evening. Offer treats or praise when your puppy is relaxed and well-behaved.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Giving in to Puppy Eyes: It’s tempting to shower your puppy with affection as soon as you walk in the door, but resist the urge! Consistency is key.
- Punishing Excitement: Never punish your puppy for being excited. Punishment can create fear and anxiety, which will only exacerbate the problem. Focus on rewarding calm behavior.
- Ignoring for Too Long: Ignoring your puppy for too long can be counterproductive. After a few minutes, they may become frustrated and start engaging in unwanted behaviors.
- Inconsistent Application: If you ignore your puppy one day but greet them enthusiastically the next, you’ll confuse them and make it harder for them to learn.
- Ignoring Needs: Make sure your puppy has already had their basic needs met (potty break, food, water) before you attempt to implement this method. An excited puppy that needs to go to the bathroom will not be easily calmed.
Utilizing Enrichment Activities
To help reduce your puppy’s pent-up energy and excitement, consider incorporating enrichment activities into their daily routine. These activities can help keep them mentally and physically stimulated, making them less likely to exhibit excessive excitement when you arrive home.
- Puzzle Toys: Offer puzzle toys filled with treats to challenge their problem-solving skills.
- Chew Toys: Provide durable chew toys to satisfy their natural chewing instincts.
- Interactive Play: Engage in interactive play sessions, such as fetch or tug-of-war, to burn off energy.
- Training Sessions: Short training sessions can help improve their focus and self-control.
- Snuffle Mats: Hide treats in a snuffle mat to encourage scent work and foraging behavior.
Troubleshooting: What If It’s Not Working?
If you’re consistently ignoring your puppy when you get home and you’re still not seeing any improvement, consider the following:
- Consult a Veterinarian: Rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to your puppy’s excitement or anxiety.
- Seek Professional Help: A certified dog trainer or behaviorist can provide personalized guidance and help you address any specific behavioral issues.
- Re-evaluate Your Approach: Make sure you’re being consistent with your training methods and that you’re not inadvertently reinforcing unwanted behaviors.
- Consider Medication: In some cases, medication may be necessary to help manage anxiety. This should only be considered in consultation with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will ignoring my puppy hurt our bond?
No, quite the opposite! Ignoring your puppy when you initially arrive home, coupled with rewarding calm behavior, will actually strengthen your bond. It teaches them that calmness and self-control lead to positive interactions with you, fostering a relationship built on mutual respect and understanding rather than frantic excitement.
How long should I ignore my puppy when I get home?
The ideal duration is typically 1-5 minutes. The goal is to allow your puppy’s excitement to subside before you acknowledge them. Monitor your puppy’s behavior; if they calm down sooner, you can acknowledge them sooner.
What if my puppy starts chewing on furniture when I ignore them?
Redirect your puppy to an appropriate chew toy. Have a selection of engaging chew toys readily available. Calmly offer the toy and praise them when they start chewing on it instead of the furniture.
Is it okay to talk to my puppy while ignoring them?
No. Any form of interaction, including talking or eye contact, can inadvertently reinforce excited behavior. The key is to completely ignore them until they have calmed down.
What if my puppy jumps on me when I’m trying to ignore them?
Remain still and avoid eye contact. You can also turn your back to the puppy. Don’t push them away or yell at them, as this can be perceived as attention. They’ll eventually get the message that jumping doesn’t get them what they want.
My puppy follows me around the house when I ignore them. What should I do?
Continue to ignore them. Even if they are right next to you, avoid any interaction. They will eventually tire of following you if they aren’t getting any attention.
Does this technique work for all puppies?
While this technique is generally effective, some puppies may require more tailored approaches. If you’re struggling to see results, consider consulting with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
What about when I’m leaving the house? Should I ignore my puppy then, too?
Yes! A calm departure is just as important as a calm arrival. Avoid making a big fuss when leaving. Simply leave quietly and calmly. This can help reduce separation anxiety.
How can I make sure my family members are also consistent with this technique?
Communicate the importance of consistency to all family members. Explain the benefits of a calm greeting and provide clear instructions on how to implement the technique.
What if I have other dogs in the house? How does that affect things?
Prioritize the needs of the puppy. Separate them if necessary during the greeting period to ensure the puppy isn’t overstimulated by the other dogs’ excitement.
At what age should I start implementing this technique?
You can start implementing this technique as soon as you bring your puppy home. The earlier you start, the better, as it will help prevent unwanted behaviors from developing.
What if ignoring my puppy makes their behavior worse?
While rare, some puppies may exhibit increased anxiety or frustration when initially ignored. If this happens, consult with a veterinarian or certified dog trainer. They can help you identify the underlying cause and develop a more appropriate training plan. Should I ignore my puppy when I get home? If that answer is producing a negative reaction, you need expert help.