Clubs Offering:
New puppy owners hear a ton of advice from their family, their neighbors, and even the overly-talkative owner at the dog park. Some is spot on, and some is ill-advised. Because those early weeks with a new puppy are critical, it’s important to filter that advice and do what’s best for your pup and their relationship with you. Take note of these five things a puppy owner should never do.
The first three months of a puppy’s life have a significant influence on how content and well-adjusted that dog will be as an adult. A puppy who is properly socialized will be comfortable with almost anything the world throws at them, whereas a poorly socialized pup will lack confidence and get overwhelmed or frightened easily. A good breeder will start socializing a puppy right away, but once you get your new pet home, the responsibility falls to you.
Puppy socialization doesn’t just refer to meeting new people and dogs, although that is incredibly important. It also means introducing your pup to as many new experiences as possible in a positive way. That can include new surfaces like the tile floor in the kitchen, new sounds like the vacuum, or other animals like cats or hamsters.
The trick is to make all these new things wonderful and rewarding. Don’t force your puppy into a situation they find frightening. One bad experience can undo all your hard work. Instead, move at your puppy’s pace, stay upbeat, and associate each experience with something your pup loves like praise or treats.
Don’t Give Too Much Freedom Too Soon
Allowing your pup to roam free around the house has serious consequences. Not only can your puppy have bathroom accidents, hindering your potty-training program, but they can destroy your property and injure themselves in the process. Puppy proofing, such as keeping medications and toxins out of reach and covering electrical wires, is important for your new pet’s safety.
But it’s not enough—you need to supervise your puppy at all times. If they learn to make their own fun while your back is turned, they will most certainly develop bad habits like chewing socks or baseboards. It’s easier and safer to prevent problem behavior than to correct it later.
Whenever you can’t watch your pup, keep them contained. Crate training is incredibly helpful, or you can use baby gates or an exercise pen as a safe area. Only give your dog unsupervised freedom when their potty behavior is under control and they have developed appropriate chewing habits. Then, you can give them a bit of freedom one room at a time.
Routine is comforting to dogs. They like to know when they can expect meals, walks, naps, playtime, and so on. It minimizes confusion and stress if they can anticipate their daily schedule. Routine also helps with potty training because regular mealtimes lead to predictable bathroom breaks.
Develop a schedule that fits your lifestyle and your puppy’s needs then stick to it. You will please your puppy and minimize stress-related problem behaviors.
It’s also important to be consistent with the rules of the house and the manners you expect. If your puppy isn’t allowed to jump on you when you’re wearing your good work clothes, they shouldn’t be allowed to jump on you when you’re wearing jeans. If your expectations seem arbitrary, your puppy won’t know how to behave, and you’ll be struggling with unwelcome behavior far into adulthood. Also, be sure everybody in the household is following the same set of rules.
Do…
There are a few things to consider. Think about where your puppy will sleep in the house. Find a safe spot to locate his bed, where he can retreat to if needed. Some people crate train their puppies, meaning their bed is in a dog crate and the puppy can be secure overnight to prevent mishaps such as chewing furniture.
So, consider anything unsafe which the puppy might chew or get into. Things like exposed electrical wires, cupboards which can easily be opened need to be made safe. Toxic cleaning products, medication and small objects which could be swallowed should also be kept well out of the puppy’s reach. Puppies are naturally inquisitive and will often chew things that they shouldn’t. It is up to us to ensure there is nothing harmful within their reach. Equally if there is a special piece of antique furniture in the room where the puppy sleeps it might be wise to move it or protect it from chewing.
It should be secure to prevent escapes.
Have all the supplies you might need before you collect your puppy. Having items such as bowls, beds, and lead before your puppy comes home will make life easier in the early days.
This should help ease the transition and reduce the likelihood of any digestive upsets. If you want to change your puppy’s food this can be done in a couple of weeks once they are settled in (change the food gradually over a period of 7 days slowly increasing the amount of new food each day whilst decreasing the old food).
But try to make this a positive experience. Offer small treats and praise as your new friend starts to interact with you.
He will soon learn what it means.
This will focus on positive reinforcement, so when your puppy toilets outside or in the area you decide praise him and immediately offer a treat.
His bladder is very small. If you notice your puppy sniffing the floor or circling around it is likely he might need to go to the toilet. So gently scoop him up and quickly get him outside. In time it will be possible to call him and have him follow you so that he learns where to go. However, in the early days focus on just getting him outside quickly to avoid accidents. Accidents will however still happen. So be prepared with appropriate cleaning products.
If your puppy has not had any vaccinations yet this can also be arranged.
If you want your puppy to sleep downstairs keep consistent. It is likely the puppy will be unsettled in the first few nights. They might bark or whine when you go to bed. Try to reassure them, but if you don’t want them sleeping in your bedroom don’t start the habit early on.
Young puppies will have short frantic bursts of energy but will sleep often.
Harmful Things NOT to do to New Puppy Bringing New Puppy Home!
The first few weeks of having a puppy can be tiring and frustrating. It is common during this time, even for those who have had puppies before, to make some common mistakes. While all new parents make mistakes, it is essential to recognize them and avoid repeating them to raise a healthy, well-balanced dog.
Here are some of the most common puppy mistakes that owners often make when not armed with the correct first-time puppy owners tips. Table Of Contents