IRescue, it really is too bad people don't realize how important constant supervision is for a puppy growing up in your household.

I supervise EVERY MOMENT a puppy is loose in my house until they are at LEAST a year old.

Yep, you read that right.

A YEAR old.

In this way you gain ALL the opportunities to gently discourage unwanted behaviors, and strongly reward and encourage all desireable behaviors.

I teach puppies they are not allowed to look up at stovetops, countertops, table tops. I teach puppies to stay OUT of the bathroom. (nothing in there that's any of their business). They are not allowed in the kitchen unless I"m in there. I redirect to the toy box to teach good chewing habits.

By 18 months of age, every dog I've ever raised is completely reliable in the house whether we are home or not.

The ONLY way to get there is to supervise, and crate or otherwise safely confine the dog at ALL TIMES when you are not paying attention to them.

This avoids destructive chewing (which WILL snowball and build on itself), house soiling, counter surfing, etc etc etc etc.

Supervision is SO KEY, and people would avoid the vast majority of issues with their puppies if they would only carefully supervise, and get in puppy class EARLY!!!