Puppystuff
Congratulations on your new puppy! Adding a puppy to the family is an exciting and trying time for everyone. The keys to success when getting a new puppy are:
Realistic Expectations
It’s important to understand that puppies are not furry little people. They come with a set of instincts that guide their behaviors. Depending on your puppy’s age, she most likely has been playing with other puppies. She doesn’t have hands so she uses her mouth for play. You will soon realize her teeth feel like little razor blades and she can overwhelm small children quickly. Puppies usually don’t get bladder control until they are about 12 weeks old. So, it’s important to take your puppy out to potty often (every 1 ½ hours). Praise her when she potties outside. Most puppies will need to potty after they eat, sleep and play.
Management
There are four management tools that are essential with a young puppy. You can use all four, or any combination of them, depending on your needs.
1. Exercise is the first and most important management tool. “A tired dog is well-behaved dog.” 2. Crate Training. Dogs are den animals and feel safe and secure in tight, enclosed places.
3. Tie Down. A tie down is a short leash attached to something immobile. A tie down should never be used if you are not home.
4. Dragging Leash. A dragging leash is a 6ft nylon puppy leash with the smallest buckle you can find. A dragging leash is ALWAYS attached to your puppy’s buckle collar when someone is home.
Relationship
A solid relationship with your dog is THE key component in achieving your dog training goals. Many owners can’t wait to get started with the training of their new puppy and while teaching them sit, down and not pulling on the leash is important, there is plenty of time to work on these commands as your puppy gets older. Spending quality time on name recognition and attention is the priority with young puppies. You want to always encourage attention from your puppy by reinforcing them with praise, play or a treat when they look at you, or follow you on or off leash. Be silly, be unpredictable with your reinforcement and most of all, be fun. This will dramatically improve your chances of achieving the ever-elusive off leash come command when your dog is older.
Socialization
Do not underestimate the importance of good socialization for a young pup. Imprint socialization phases your puppy goes through cannot be “done later.” It is important in the development of your puppy’s personality to expose them safely at an early age to life experiences. Many dog owners get mixed messages when facing the socialization question. Some professionals suggest not taking your puppy off your property until she has all of her shots, but by then she has missed some important developmental milestones that cannot be retrieved. More dogs are put to sleep for behavior issues stemming from a lack of socialization than dying from diseases like Parvo and Corona Virus every year. Yes, it is important to be smart when socializing a young pup. Keep her on leash and on pavement. Don’t let her come into contact with other feces. But, take her on walks around the neighborhood. Introduce her to small children, kids on bikes and skateboards. Take her outside of Safeway and let her watch and see the shopping carts, cars, and buses. Introduce her to well-socialized, vaccinated adult dogs. These are all experiences that we want her to see as positive. This effort will contribute greatly to well-rounded, more stable adult dog.
By following these important first steps with your puppy, you are giving yourself, your family and your puppy a head start in attaining your goals for your new companion.
Unleash Your Dog’s Potential
Contact:
Mandy Kennedy
Unleashed! Dog Training and Behavior Center
Serving Folsom, El Dorado, Foothills and Greater Sacramento areas.
The Puppy Starter Kit---Congratulations on your decision to add a puppy to your family. Puppies add a spark to your family dynamic like no other! They are funny, curious, wonderfully energetic and a lot of work! UNLEASHED ONLINE is the “go-to” resource for your needs. The Puppy Starter Kit can help in the process of choosing the right dog for your family. The way a dog looks should be only one of many considerations when choosing your new family member. UNLEASHED ONLINE advises owners on essential information like housetraining, socialization, mouthing and the foundation exercises that owners can start right away.
