Bringing a puppy into your home is a joyful disruption: toys on the floor, sloppy kisses, and—if you don’t prepare—the occasional yard crater, shredded shoe, or enthusiastic leap onto guests. This guide gives clear, practical steps to stop three of the most common canine problems—jumping, chewing, and digging—so you can enjoy a trusted, well-behaved companion. If you’re planning to welcome Bernedoodles puppies for sale in Sedona AZ into your family, read this first: these tips will help you prevent habits that are far easier to prevent than to fix.
Why Dogs Jump, Chew, and Dig (and Why That’s Actually Useful Information)
Before changing behavior, you need to understand motivation. Dogs don’t act out of spite—these behaviors usually serve a purpose:
- Jumping is often an attention-getting behavior or an excited greeting. Owners who inadvertently reward a jump (with attention, petting, or laughter) reinforce it.
- Chewing can be exploration, teething, boredom, anxiety, or a way to access food and interesting smells. Puppies commonly chew during teething; adults may chew because they’re under-stimulated or stressed.
- Digging may be play, prey drive, temperature regulation (making a cool spot), or escape behavior. In hot, dry climates like much of Arizona, dogs sometimes dig to find cooler ground.
The Universal Training Rules That Make Habit Change Work
- Management first. Prevent repetition of the bad behavior while you train (use gates, leashes, or supervised time-outs). Stopping the practice stops the habit from getting stronger.
- Reward the behavior you want. Teach an alternative (sit, settle, take a toy) and reward it consistently. Positive reinforcement is proven, reliable, and reduces stress for both dog and owner.
- Be consistent across people and situations. Everyone who interacts with the dog must follow the same rules—welcome guests, family members, and dog walkers included.
- Address physical needs. Exercise, enrichment, and chew-appropriate outlets are part of the treatment plan; behavior problems often look like training problems but are really unmet needs.
How to Stop Jumping — Step-by-Step
1. Manage the Moment
When guests arrive, keep your dog on a leash or behind a baby gate so you control the greeting. Don’t let high-reward practice happen while you’re teaching a different behavior.
2. Teach an Incompatible Behavior (Sit + Reward)
Train a clear cue—usually “sit” or “four paws on the floor.” Practice in low-distraction moments, then proof it (add distractions) until it generalizes. Reward immediately when the dog keeps all four paws down.
3. Ignore the Jump
When the dog jumps, turn away, cross your arms, and avoid eye contact. Reward only when the dog returns to four paws. Repeating this consistently removes the attention reward for jumping.
4. Reinforce Calm Greetings with Real Rewards
Some dogs respond best to food treats; others to a favorite toy or petting. Use what motivates your dog—consistently. Over time, calm = reward, and jumping loses value.
How to Stop Destructive Chewing — Step-by-Step
1. Rule Out Medical Causes
If chewing is sudden, excessive, or focused on soft tissue, consult your vet—there can be dental pain or digestive problems. Otherwise, proceed with behavioral fixes.
2. Puppy vs. Adult: Choose the Right Approach
Puppies often chew because of teething and exploration. Adults may chew for boredom or anxiety. Different causes need different strategies (teething toys vs. long-term enrichment).
3. Make “Chew Alternatives” Irresistible
Use sturdy chew toys, frozen toys for teething, and rotate options to keep them novel. Teach “take it” and “leave it” so you can control access to inappropriate items.
4. Reduce Temptation and Supervise
Keep shoes, electrical cords, and tempting objects out of reach. Crate or confine the dog when you can’t actively supervise. Supervision prevents practice, and prevention prevents habit formation.
5. Address Anxiety and Energy
If chewing is anxiety-driven, increase exercise, structured play, and consider a behavior consult. Long walks, puzzle feeders, and interactive play reduce the urge to chew.
How to Stop Digging — Step-by-Step
1. Identify the Cause
Is the dog digging under the fence to escape? Digging in shaded areas to cool off? Or hunting for critters? Match the solution to the reason.
2. Create a Sanctioned Digging Area
Give your dog a “dig pit” filled with loose soil and buried toys; train her to use it with treats and praise. Redirect every time she digs elsewhere.
3. Environmental Fixes
For escape-motivated digging, reinforce the fence, shorten the gap at the bottom, or use rock/landscaping cloth. For comfort-motivated digging in hot places, offer shaded rest areas and cooling mats.
4. Enrichment + Supervision
Address boredom with more play, scent games, and interactive feeders. Supervise outdoor time and interrupt attempts to dig—then reward alternative behavior (fetch, sit, or the dig pit).
Breed Note: Bernedoodle Specifics (What to Expect and How to Prepare)
Bernedoodles—mixes of Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle—are intelligent, affectionate, and often have moderate to high energy levels. They can be social and people-oriented, which makes them eager to please but also prone to boredom and separation-related behaviors if left alone too long. Good early training and socialization help reduce jumping, chewing, and digging later. If you’re bringing in Bernedoodles puppies for sale in Sedona AZ, plan for daily mental stimulation, regular grooming, and a training routine suited to an intelligent, food-motivated dog.
Real-World Example (Case Study)
Bonnie’s Back Yard Makeover
Bonnie, a two-year-old mixed-breed that started digging and jumping whenever the family returned home, was enrolled with a local positive-reinforcement trainer. The family used three tactics: (1) management—short-term use of a leash and gates to prevent digging while training began; (2) a sanctioned “dig pit” where Bonnie could bury toys; and (3) a greetings routine that required Bonnie to sit for treats before anyone approached. Within three weeks, the digging reduced by two-thirds and guests reported calm greetings instead of hopping. The trainer’s approach mirrored proven tools used by professional behavior consultants—manage the environment, teach incompatible behaviors, and reward consistently.
Quick Checklist Before You Bring a Puppy Home
(Especially useful if you’re considering Bernedoodles puppies for sale in Sedona AZ)
- Puppy-proof the house: hide shoes, secure trash, tuck cords.
- Buy a few high-quality chew toys (rotating set).
- Create a quiet, shaded outdoor area and consider a dig pit.
- Schedule short, consistent training sessions (5–10 minutes, multiple times daily).
- Line up a positive, results-driven local trainer or behavior consultant for early guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long until my dog stops jumping/chewing/digging?
A: There’s no single timeline—you should expect weeks to months depending on consistency, age, and motivation. Management and consistent reinforcement speed results.
Q: Are punishment methods effective?
A: Punishment can suppress behavior but often increases fear, confusion, or redirection to other problems. Reward-based approaches are safer, more reliable, and better for long-term behavior change.
Q: Should I crate my puppy?
A: When used correctly, crates provide safety and help prevent practice of bad habits. Ensure the crate is a positive, comfortable place and not used for long periods.
Q: What if my dog is digging because of a medical issue?
A: Always rule out medical or skin issues with your veterinarian before assuming the behavior is purely behavioral.
Final Thoughts
At Doodling Pups, LLC, we know that stopping unwanted habits—jumping, chewing, and digging—is less about punishment and more about thoughtful prevention, consistent training, and giving dogs the mental and physical outlets they need. If you’re welcoming Bernedoodles puppies for sale in Sedona AZ, prepare your home and your routine before the puppy arrives. That planning is what separates well-intentioned owners from well-behaved families.
