New Puppy? What You and Your Puppy Need
What an exciting time for you and your family.
You have just purchased a beautiful new puppy that is just so cute, with such loving eyes that could melt the toughest of hearts, and couldn't ever be any trouble.
It's from this point that you need to start making important decisions on how you want to raise your dog.
Do you want one of those dogs you sometimes see people walking that doesn't require a lead, yet heels by its owners side ignoring all distractions, or the one that bounds back to its owner from the other end of the park when called once.
The other alternative is own one of those dogs that consistently pulls on the leash, jumps on visitors and ignores you when you call it in the park, or even runs in the opposite direction.
It may seem like a silly question to ask with such a clear cut answer, but if you answered that you want a well-trained dog, then this decision needs to be followed with training that starts the moment you bring your dog home.
So what do you need to consider when you first bring home your new puppy? Housebreaking, toilet training, crate training, feeding, boundaries around the home, socializing, leash training, basic obedience training and initially the constant supervision.
This is just a short list of the many considerations you need to think about, and all this can seem quite daunting.
So where do you start? Let's look at when you first bring your new puppy home.
Leaving its mother and littermates may bring about some anxiety in your puppy as everything is new and uncertain to your pup.
When you arrive home, it will adjust better to a quiet house, especially if you have kids, as loud noises and boisterous people may scare your new pup.
Your puppy needs a calm, quiet environment for a day to get used to its new surroundings and you and your family.
From your first day home, start teaching your puppy its boundaries in the home, walking your pup through the house where they are allowed to go, so they understand what you expect of them.
They can't know unless you teach them.
If you do not want them in certain rooms, close the doors to these initially to teach them your rules.
Don't allow your puppy to roam inside your house unsupervised, you want to keep an eye on your puppy at all times, in case it tries chewing things or needs to go to the toilet.
If you have children make sure you lay down ground some rules first.
The children should be clear on what the rules and expectations are before you start to teach them to the puppy.
If you have children make sure that they are taught to be careful when handling the puppy.
An adult should keep an eye on the interactions between the pup and small children at all times.
If a small child wants to hold the puppy they should sit down so when the puppy wriggles away, it will not fall and hurt itself.
And all children should be taught treat a puppy with respect.
Remember, commitment and consistency will go a long way to training your dog in the right direction.
You have just purchased a beautiful new puppy that is just so cute, with such loving eyes that could melt the toughest of hearts, and couldn't ever be any trouble.
It's from this point that you need to start making important decisions on how you want to raise your dog.
Do you want one of those dogs you sometimes see people walking that doesn't require a lead, yet heels by its owners side ignoring all distractions, or the one that bounds back to its owner from the other end of the park when called once.
The other alternative is own one of those dogs that consistently pulls on the leash, jumps on visitors and ignores you when you call it in the park, or even runs in the opposite direction.
It may seem like a silly question to ask with such a clear cut answer, but if you answered that you want a well-trained dog, then this decision needs to be followed with training that starts the moment you bring your dog home.
So what do you need to consider when you first bring home your new puppy? Housebreaking, toilet training, crate training, feeding, boundaries around the home, socializing, leash training, basic obedience training and initially the constant supervision.
This is just a short list of the many considerations you need to think about, and all this can seem quite daunting.
So where do you start? Let's look at when you first bring your new puppy home.
Leaving its mother and littermates may bring about some anxiety in your puppy as everything is new and uncertain to your pup.
When you arrive home, it will adjust better to a quiet house, especially if you have kids, as loud noises and boisterous people may scare your new pup.
Your puppy needs a calm, quiet environment for a day to get used to its new surroundings and you and your family.
From your first day home, start teaching your puppy its boundaries in the home, walking your pup through the house where they are allowed to go, so they understand what you expect of them.
They can't know unless you teach them.
If you do not want them in certain rooms, close the doors to these initially to teach them your rules.
Don't allow your puppy to roam inside your house unsupervised, you want to keep an eye on your puppy at all times, in case it tries chewing things or needs to go to the toilet.
If you have children make sure you lay down ground some rules first.
The children should be clear on what the rules and expectations are before you start to teach them to the puppy.
If you have children make sure that they are taught to be careful when handling the puppy.
An adult should keep an eye on the interactions between the pup and small children at all times.
If a small child wants to hold the puppy they should sit down so when the puppy wriggles away, it will not fall and hurt itself.
And all children should be taught treat a puppy with respect.
Remember, commitment and consistency will go a long way to training your dog in the right direction.
