# Puppy Training Tips? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598 "2005-05-05T21:50:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/21 "2005-05-07T14:52:03Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > As far as her behavior, the only thing that is bugging my right now is that she tries to chew my hair…my hair is _way_ to nice to be eaten by a puppy 😛 She has had a couple accidents, but it was raining and I figure she was scared to go outside (she was shaking the whole night). I have curly hair, and my grandparents’ dog used to see it as a toy. He would pounce, chew, etc. He grew out of it (there is hope!) ---
**Author:** ![sj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@sj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sj2)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/22 "2005-05-07T18:25:04Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > [Precious. Just precious.](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwCJAiAY!cao*Q5ALVOQJ*BDDgd675PP!IJWXexyF!eAH*YU3u1r8EgqkwQiG244mAg!p3hu2KDOXl4iGK!TBReeHgAZS3!3oG9WMddsIVnoId34Am*sUQ/Picture%20451.jpg?dc=4675521185649738207) Too, too cute. Reminds me of that scene from Babe with Babe and Fly, “Can I call you Mom?” ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/23 "2005-05-08T15:13:07Z")
A water pistol works with some dogs. A squirt from it distracts them from what they’re doing long enough for you to get them interested in the correct thing to be chewing on. _Do not_ put anything in the pistiol other than plain water to avoid burning their eyes. Another thing that’s sometimes helpful is to put a drop of lemon juice on all of the puppy’s toys. They learn that the smell of lemons means that the item is theirs and anything that doesn’t smell like lemons is off-limits. The only thing I can recommend is patience. It takes a long time to train a puppy, and what works for some might not work for others. My pup [Polaris](http://lissafakename.tripod.com/vacation/index.album?i=4) is using the Clicker Method. It’s a great program, but I’ve had to make some minor alterations in it to suit her personality. (For her, only rewarding correct behavior isn’t right-- she needs to be told when she’s not doing it right. she learns quicker this way.) As you learn your puppy’s personality, you’ll be able to tailor programs to suit him. Do not let the puppy chew on your hair. When he tries it, scream “OUCH!” very loudly, and put him away from you. Ignore him for a few minutes, like the other dogs would do if puppy played too rough. They learn very quickly with this method. Polaris was taken from her litter too soon, and she had this problem in spades. It took me about two months of shrieking to break her of it, but she doesn’t gnaw on me any more. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/24 "2005-05-08T23:39:52Z")
**Lissa** your Polaris is adorable! As is Bean! Beautiful dogs 🙂 I certainly don’t promote the hair chewing. I’ve made it a habit to yell, “No!” and roll over so she can’t cuddle with me whenever she chews my hair. She’s starting to learn, all be it slowly! Bella Update: I found out from the vet that she has a mild case of the fleas. I’ve since given her some advantage and hopefully she will be fine. I was told to keep an eye on Scooby and Doc to make sure they didn’t catch fleas. On to the good news: today Bella learned how to sit! (What?? I’m a proud parent…hush). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598.md?page=1)