But such loneliness can be cured with a hot water bottle and a ticking clock in the puppy's crate to replicate the warmth of the litter and the heartbeat of the puppy's mother. And it's a source of exasperation when the puppy continues to chew up household goods even after being admonished. Yet puppy owners have no one to blame but themselves. Thus, dog trainers say, the problems of chewing are a matter of effort. God gave us the brains.
Some dogs seem to bark incessantly.
But trainers say it is a rare dog who barks for no reason. If it's just to get your attention, that's a bad habit that needs to be taken care of. The key to modifying any behavior in dogs, trainers say, is positive reinforcement. Snacks and praise go further than punishment and yelling. As it would for adults.