Keystone Law Firm - July 2024

NO MORE NIBBLES Do’s and Don’ts for Training Puppies Not to Bite

Grab Technique Don’t get angry, yell, or react adversely if your puppy mistakenly nibbles on something or isn’t succeeding in their training. You can traumatize your pet if you use physical or verbal force to show them something isn’t allowed. Teething is not an act of aggression; it’s one of exploration. Try what trainers refer to as the “grab technique.” Gently place a finger over and under their muzzle. Though this is uncomfortable for a puppy, it is not painful and reinforces that the behavior is something they must stop. Puppy Party Don’t keep your puppy away from other dogs or people. Socializing and playing with other friendly dogs can teach your puppy by example. Puppies learn how to control their bites naturally when playing with other dogs. If a puppy nibbles on its

Puppies are adorable and entertaining family members, but training them not to bite is crucial as their teeth grow and they learn the rules of companionship. All puppies go through a nibbling phase as they discover the world around them using their mouths. The teething process won’t last forever, but establishing proper training now will stick with them for a lifetime. Here are some do’s and don’ts for training your puppy not to bite. Chew Toys Don’t give puppies chew toys while training them; they are too young and inexperienced to differentiate between what they can chew and can’t. An inexpensive and safe alternative is giving them an ice cube. Not only are these fun for a puppy to chew and won’t damage your home, but they also provide soothing relief for their gums.

playmate too hard, it usually results in a yelp that shows the puppy it was biting too hard. Supervised play opportunities with puppies will also reduce their energy, making them less motivated to chew on you or your belongings. By using gentle corrective actions and positive reinforcement, you can teach your puppy to play with you and others safely. Have patience through the process and trust your puppy’s ability to grow and learn.

Transfer Trouble LIMITATIONS AND RISKS OF TRANSFER ON DEATH DEEDS

Many once-complicated processes have become simplified in the modern age of convenience, such as booking a hotel room online. It can be tempting to try to simplify other parts of our lives with a couple of clicks on a computer. However, when it comes to estate planning, simple does not always mean better. An example of this is the Transfer on Death Deed or TODD. TODDs allow you to name a beneficiary who will receive your property upon your passing. While this seems like an elegant and hassle-free way to establish your inheritance, it has significant downsides and potential pitfalls. Joint Ownership One of the greatest points of contention around TODDs involves joint ownership. If you are a joint owner of a property, the other joint owner will inherit sole ownership upon your death — regardless of whether there is a TODD on record. This

is an especially important issue for married couples, who often share joint ownership of a property, such as a home; this joint ownership will supersede the TODD, even if the intended beneficiary is someone other than your spouse. Disinheriting by Mistake If a will and TODD contain conflicting information regarding property

inheritance, it can cause significant problems for your beneficiaries. Existing TODDs can also resurface and derail other estate plan documents representing the deceased’s most recent and accurate wishes. Because of this, it is important to revoke TODDs before completing new estate plan agreements. Potentially Costly With TODDs, there is no warranty of title, which means a property owner’s debts may be passed on to their beneficiary along with the property. In effect, your beneficiary may be liable for your financial obligations, which can cause undue economic hardship. Another shortcoming with TODDs is that, unlike wills, they cannot be amended and must be revoked. If you want to rework a TODD, you must incur the costs of drafting one entirely from scratch, making the money you spent on your previous TODD meaningless.

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