05/09/2021
Preparing for a new puppy is an exciting time. Here are some tips to help make the adjustment easier for both you and your new family member.
Providing structure, supervision, exercise, and continued training is key to raising a well mannered, well adjusted puppy.
Crate training: crate training is not cruel, abusive, or laziness on the part of the owner. It provides your puppy with a āsafe space" where it can have some down time, eat in peace, be safe when it cannot be directly supervised, and helps immensely with potty training. Make going into the crate a positive experience, feed all meals in there, pup some appropriate chew toys in with the pup to entertain it, like bully sticks, kings stuffed with frozen peanut butter or frozen canned food, or safe teething toys. The crate should never be used for punishment.
Direct supervision: when you can't have eyes on the puppy, it needs to be contained in some manner. Using baby gates and/or an ex-pen is a great way to give the pup some freedom while still being contained and kept safe. If the puppy is a climber, there are gates and pens with vertical bars that cannot be climbed, or you can purchase a roof for the ex--pen.
Make sure the puppy gets plenty of age appropriate exercise. No hard running or jumping, as the growth plates arenāt closed until about 18 months of age. Engage with your puppy in play like fetch, tug, etc.
All puppies bite in some way, especially while they are teething. To help discourage nipping, roll the puppies lip over its teeth and press against the teeth. It will not feel pleasant and the pup learns that biting results in discomfort. This needs to be reinforced every time until the puppy learns not to bite. Then redirect the puppy to a toy that it is allowed to bite and play with.
Training continues every day for the life of the dog. Even just 5-10 minutes a day, morning and evening, helps to maintain what the dog has learned. Itās not the length of time that you train, itās the number of repetitions that you get in that amount of time.
Potty training: this is where a crate becomes a real help. Most dogs and puppies do not want to soil where they sleep. Taking a puppy outside immediately upon leaving the crate, about 15 minutes after eating, and 15 minutes after play is usually when they are most apt to go. Watch for your puppy to start sniffing, circling, or trying to sneak out of sight. Take the puppy out immediately. Putty the puppy on a feeding schedule, rather than free feeding, also helps with potty training.
Never give a command that you arenāt prepared to reinforce. Being permissive teaches the dog that it can ignore you. Make training a fun time so the dog looks forward to doing what you want and trying to please you.
Have clear rules, boundaries, and limitations for both the puppy, and any children in the house. Teach children how to act around dogs (no hitting, pulling on ears, tails, whiskers, no climbing on the dog, bothering it while eating, etc.).
Structure and consistency, along with lots of play and love, will help in raising a happy, well behaved dog.
