Have you decided that you want to welcome a puppy into your home? Having a new pup means you have to be prepared for a lot of things. Every dog is different, has different needs and needs a specific type of training. But there are a few things that you need to do, no matter what breed or mix you adopt. We'd like to help you with the first steps with a new puppy.
Preparing your house for the puppy
Your preparations already start before you'll bring the new puppy home. Your house has to be ready for your new furry friend. This means that you have to check if every room is safe for the dog. Are there any cables that you can easily move or put behind something? Are there small things close to the ground that the dog can steal? You can also block off some rooms where the dog is not allowed. For example: the kid's room. Your child probably has toys all over the floor or other things you don't want your pup to get into. By closing all those doors and making it a routine to keep the doors closed, you prevent your dog from going in there. Also don't forget to check for shoes and clothes that are laying in specific areas. Some dogs love to tear up shoes, socks and underwear! Not only can this be inconvenient, it can also cause harm to your dog. You don't want a high vet bill from the start.
Make your dog feel welcome
You can also make sure that your new puppy will feel welcome in your house right away. Give him or her an own space in your living room or other area of the house. Buy a nice dog bed or blanket, a crate and some toys. Make sure the toys are age specific. Some puppies love to chew on their toys, so most stuffed animals will be destroyed. By making sure there's a good variety of toys, you can give your new puppy what he or she needs and have something available for every occasion. You can also already buy leashes and collars for your dog. This way you have everything in your house before you're going to pick up your dog!
Giving the right food
When you're buying a dog from a breeder, it's important to ask what food the dog is getting. Switching food without mixing it, can sometimes lead to stomach issues. By buying a small bag of the dog food that the breeder uses, you can transition your dog to the new food. The same goes for dogs that are in foster homes already. Some dogs have been eating the same brand for a while already. Even if you don't want to give the same brand to your dog, you can help the dog getting used to the brand of your choice by mixing it up slowly before giving him or her the dog food you want to give.
Start training right away
When it's time to bring your new puppy home, you can start doing some basic obedience training right away. Most puppies are eager to learn. They will sit for their food or a treat, they follow you through the house and they have to get used to their new name. Put some treats in your pocket and reinforce all the behavior you want to see. Depending on the unwanted behavior, you can ignore that and only give a treat while performing good behaviors. And make sure you train your dog to potty outside! In the beginning, most puppies have to go outside every hour. Or better: every time after they ate, slept, drank or played. If you see that your new pup has to go, go outside right away. Every potty outside should be a big party! It doesn't matter how awkward it may feel, the dog loves a good party for peeing outside! Even during the night. You can slowly extend the time between potty breaks till the dog is completely trained.
Socialisation with your pup
Then the socialisation part. Socialisation with your new puppy is something that confuses people a lot. But it's actually simple: bring your dog to public places where it's allowed, so they will get used to different sounds, people walking by and vehicles. In some pet stores your dog will also encounter other dogs or animals. You don't have to let your dog interact with anyone or anything. Interaction on a leash can set your dog up for failure, especially if you have a breed that's known for reactivity. And a lot of dogs might see it as an opportunity to meet every dog they see later on in life. Before you know it, your dog is barking and lunging all the time. So bring your new puppy to different places, but remember it's ok to say 'no' or 'we're training' if people ask if they are allowed to pet your dog or let the dogs meet.
Getting the help you need
Is it your first puppy? Then it's good to get the help of a trainer for training. Some basic obedience exercises might be easy to train, but other parts of obedience are most of the time harder. You're also tempted to settle for a certain behavior, like not sitting straight or not staying in place for a longer time. As a dog trainer I can assure you: everyone has to start somewhere and there's nothing wrong with finding help. Not only for basic, but definitely not for advanced obedience.
Do you want training for your dog, or need boarding for the holidays or work days? You can always send us a message or call!
