Adding a puppy to my home isn’t a spur of the moment decision, but, it is happening sooner than I had originally planned. So I find myself doing what I normally do when things don’t go according to plan: I make a new plan and a few lists for good measure. I hope my musings will be helpful as you welcome a new companion into your life.
Getting ready for a puppy
As I think about welcoming this new bundle of fuzz into my home, I am struck by the thought of all the things I need to do to prepare; the puppy proofing, the hoards of chew things I need to purchase, and the tools I need to have on hand to prevent unwanted behaviours. Then, there’s the books I should probably re-read and prepping our current dogs and young son for his arrival.
Bowls, Collars, and Crates, Oh My!
Pet stores are filled with everything you could ever want for a new puppy, but before you run off and purchase things you don’t need, consider the checklist I have provided below.
Pro tip: Save the checklist to your phone and then you’ll have it handy while shopping at your favourite local pet supply store.
If I could pick only five things from the list above (not including food and healthcare), I would choose a crate, puzzle toys, a long line, chews, and a force-free trainer. That’s not to say that the other things on the list aren’t nice to have or necessary, but those five things are going to solve a lot of challenges that come with a new puppy.
Five Tips for Surviving Puppyhood
Planning for a new puppy is exciting and bringing him home, even more so. A new puppy is an adjustment though, as they challenge your normal day to day routine. Add into the fact that you are asking a different species to communicate with you in a language they don’t understand. When you add those things together, it can certainly be a recipe for frustration. My tips below should help to alleviate some confusion and the pressure you might be feeling.
Patience
This one is big. Be prepared to have patience with the puppy, the process, and yourself. You’ve just added a baby (with sharp, pointy teeth) to your house. He is experiencing much of the world for the very first time. In those moments of wondering why you ever wanted a puppy in the first place, take a deep breath and start again.
Puppies need their beauty rest
Often we get so carried away with worrying about what we have to check off the socialization list (more on that in a minute), we forget that puppies are just baby animals. Their brains and bodies are developing quickly and like human kids, they need time to rest and reset. When your new puppy is extra “bitey” or experiencing big feelings, consider giving him some downtime in his crate.
Be exceedingly generous with reinforcement
What is the secret to a dog that comes running when you call? Reinforcement. Lots of it. Frequently. In all different environments. That’s the secret to all dog training.
Remember that your puppy is always learning. Pay him for the behaviours you want to see again and redirect him when he displays behaviours you’d rather he didn’t.
Socialize with care
Socialization is a hot button topic in the dog world. Frankly, I’ve been conditioned to cringe every time someone tells me they just want to “socialize” their dog.
Remember this simple phrase when socializing your puppy to the world, “Quality over Quantity”. Your puppy will be better for it. I promise.
Consider this: You take your puppy to the dog park where he meets 30 dogs and of those interactions, only two are positive. Your puppy is likely to leave the park with some big feelings about interacting with dogs.
Now consider this: your puppy meets five wonderfully appropriate dogs that you know and trust and your puppy leaves every interaction feeling positive.
Ensure that each new encounter is paired with something positive: tasty cookies when the puppy visits the vet clinic, a favourite chew toy when Great Aunt Muriel comes for a visit, or a novel treat when the kid with the giant backpack walks by.
Read more about socialization here, here, and here.
Management is your friend
Puppies are masters at getting into trouble when left to their own devices. Management is the best way to keep your puppy, your valuables, and your sanity safe.
So, what does management look like?
- Restricting puppy’s access to areas of the house until he can be supervised or trusted to make good choices (don’t expect your baby puppy to make the same choices as a well trained adult dog).
- Using a drag line while your puppy is in the yard to ensure your puppy can find his way back to you for reinforcement
- Blocking off access to the front window because otherwise, the puppy barks incessantly.
Management allows for your puppy to make good choices while he is still maturing. It can also afford you the opportunity to make a training plan to encourage a different, more suitable behaviour.
I’ve summarized these five tips for surviving puppyhood in the video below.
Have you added a new puppy to your home? If so, I’d love to see a photo in the comments below. Share your best advice for new puppy owners, too!
One last thing…
I wish I could share a picture with you of my new furry beast, but I’m still waiting for him to make his entrance into this world. For now, I’ll leave you with a picture of his soon to be momma. Isn’t she lovely?
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