With young puppies, that are for example chewing on something they are not allowed to, many of the totally positive trainers are of the opinion that all we need to do is redirect the puppys' attention on to something the puppy is allowed to chew, with no indication to help the pup know that what it is focusing on doing is not acceptable. Does this response really imprint in the pup what it "isn't" allowed to chew? How does the puppy understand that what it was doing is not allowed? But more importantly are we inadvertently creating attention seeking behaviour, by redirecting the puppy's attention with only a positive on to something else?

Firstly we should provide a puppy with an environment that it cannot make these mistakes.. We should try our best not to set our pups up for failure, by allowing it access to areas/locations where it cannot be strictly supervised. We can then control access to what the pup is allowed to chew and play with. However if our pup is caught chewing something it shouldn't, what should you do? Well in my opnion we do need to let the puppy know that what it is chewing is wrong, and then redirect its attention onto something we deem as OK. Usually if you spot your pup chewing furniture, a clap of the hands and a  "NO!", will startle your pup from the activity. As soon as your pup is startled, crouch down to its level and in a happy joyful tone call your puppy over, and praise it, and encourage play with its toy. If the puppy runs off when it hears your reprimand, do NOT chase your puppy.. sit on the floor and encourage the puppy over in a happy joyful tone and using a toy.

Many issues of  dogs/puppies stealing things and chewing furniture can be very easily imprinted into a puppy that it gets attention from us for carrying out this behaviour. So the idea of seeing a puppy chewing on furniture for example and only redirecting its attention onto something else, is actually reinforcing the behaviour of chewing to get attention. If we however give a split second negative to startle the puppy, then a positive for not focusing on the object it was chewing, we are not inadvertently reinforcing chewing with a positive response from us.

The best senario
However if for the first 6 to 8 weeks of your puppy being home, we use confinement when your pup is not being supervised, we can ensure these habits of chewing furniture, stealing objects, etc do not become an issue. The best way of doing this is either crating your puppy in a large wired dog crate, or purchace a pen to place your puppy in as shown in the photo. This is much better than continually finding your puppy doing things around the house that you do not want him/her to do. Never use this confinement for punishment, it should always be a positive place for your puppy to go. Have toys, treat toys and chews, for your puppy to occupy itself with, plus a place for him/her to sleep, like a covered dog crate or bedding.

Always remember any positive response from us is a reinforcer for the puppy.