Raising a puppy is a huge responsibility and can be very challenging, especially for a first-time owner, but at times even for an experienced owner! We need to be able to find the balance between suppressing a puppy’s personality and providing the puppy with set rules and a safe environment to grow up in. Here are some foundational do’s and don’ts for puppy raising.
1. Play
Your puppy loves to play with you, but be careful not to get too rough. If you have a bigger breed, remember that as they grow, their rough style of play will no longer be as enjoyable. Ensure you teach your puppy to play to set rules so that play won’t get out of hand.
If you have a small puppy, be careful not to overdo games like tug-of-war in case you hurt your puppy’s newly developing teeth.
2. Treats
Rather than giving your puppy an overabundance of treats for rewards in training, use his regular food. Treats can be used in moderation as training rewards and should never be high-caloric, human junk food. Too many will change your growing puppy’s appetite for better-balanced, nutritious meals.
That being said, keep in mind that when you’re training in environments where your puppy is struggling to listen, it is a very good idea to have exceptionally tasty treats on hand!
3. Rules
Set up rules for your puppy and don’t change them. Don’t scold your dog one day for being on the couch and then let him up there the next. Rather ignore and address behaviours you don’t like, and praise and reward the ones you do like – consistently.
4. Home Safety
Ensure that your home is a safe place for your puppy. Don’t allow him into places where he might fall or become trapped, or where he might have access to things that could be harmful to him (the garbage, medicine, pesticides and so on).
5. Training
Last, but NOT least: don’t let your puppy go untrained! All of the cute puppy things your dog is doing right now will become a lot less cute in a few months. Make sure you teach your puppy good manners and keep him well socialised to everything! It’s easier to train him now than it will be in a few years’ time when bad behaviours have developed.
Do you have a new puppy at home? We know it can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Get in touch if you need help overcoming some of the challenges!
Do you have an older dog who did not have an ideal puppy upbringing? It’s never too late to help them overcome bad habits and fears, so call us to find out more about how we can help!