Give Your Puppy a Familiar Command To Distract Them
When your puppy is deep in the throes of a temper tantrum, it is likely that they are so overwhelmed with feeling and stimulation that they are not thinking particularly rationally. Well, as much as a puppy will ever think rationally, that is. In order to snap them out of this spiral, giving them a well-known command is an excellent way to help them to focus.
If your puppy knows the command “sit,” “lay down,” or “settle,” any of these would help immensely in getting your dog to calm down. Simply clearly state the command and use any accompanying hand movements that your puppy has learned to go along with it.
Once your dog registers this cue even through the fog of a tantrum currently in progress, they should still listen and perform the action. Once they have done what you asked, they will be in a clearer frame of mind, and more able to process incoming stimuli.
How Can You Stop a Puppy Temper Tantrum as It Is Happening?
The moment that you recognize the classic signs of a puppy temper tantrum, your immediate reaction is undoubtedly going to be to try and stop it. However, many people are surprised to find out that some of your first instincts might actually be harmful rather than helpful.
It is important to do your research on how to react to a puppy tantrum ahead of time before they happen. This way, you can be completely prepared to deal with them appropriately rather than acting in a way that could make them worse going forward.
What Causes a Puppy Temper Tantrum?
In all likelihood, you have noticed that your puppy’s tantrums occur after trying to get them to do something that they are not currently in the mood for. This is certainly an annoyance, but it does not mean that you and your dog cannot still go about your day exactly as planned.
Some other reasons that your puppy might feel especially frustrated include that they are overly tired, they are overstimulated, or they have previously learned that tantrums get them what they want. We will discuss all of these possibilities in more depth a bit later in this article.
