Understanding your puppy’s behaviour

Your puppy may be experiencing separation anxiety. To prevent this, introduce your dog to the idea of being alone. If your dog can stay home alone for at least 30 minutes, it’s usually easier for them to be left for longer periods.

This can be due to boredom or curiosity; however it can sometimes be associated with specific diseases and if you are concerned about your puppy’s behaviour you should consult your vet.

This could be a sign of loneliness, anxiety or boredom, so it’s essential to provide chew toys and plenty of exercise. Prevent chewing behaviour by re-directing their attention to a toy, and never punish your puppy as this can sometimes increase the bad behaviour.

If your puppy hasn’t had enough exercise, they could be trying to burn off excess energy through digging. Your puppy may also be inclined to bury their toys or chews, so keep an eye if they're taking these outside with them. They might also be trying to cool off by lying in freshly dug soil if they are too hot.

Excessive panting is possibly a sign they’re too hot, however it can also indicate stress if they’re in an uncomfortable situation. Excessive panting can be a sign of disease, so always consult with a vet if you're unsure.

Some suggest puppies roll in poo because it helps to disguise their scent, and this spans back to a time when dogs weren’t domesticated. Others say dog’s do this simply because they like the smell!

Dog’s noses are cold because of the moisture which evaporates off it, so if there is no evaporation their nose will feel warm. Your puppy’s nose should never be dry or chapped though, so you should consult a vet if you are concerned.

Puppies only have a short attention span when learning new skills, so it’s possible your current training sessions are too long if there's too much distraction. Try and keep sessions to a maximum of five minutes, choose a quiet and familiar training location and make sure your puppy is not distracted.

This is more likely to be a more common problem for puppies under six months of age. Some people suggest they do this if they have a vitamin deficiency, internal parasites, or simply when they’re bored.

Your puppy could be upset for a number of reasons, including hunger, loneliness, injury, boredom, or because they need to go to the toilet. Reading the context and their body language using our tips above could give you an insight into what they want.

It was previously thought dog’s eat grass to induce vomiting, however, a more likely explanation is that they simply like to eat it.

This could be a sign your puppy is trying to communicate something, such as affection. In new situations, they might lick the face of a stranger to try and figure out their intentions.

First, it's important to rule out medical issues, so contact your vet if you’re concerned. Other reasons for shaking can include stress, fear, excitement and cold temperatures. Try to remember what was happening before your puppy started shaking to figure out the cause.