When you bring a new puppy into your lives, you are going to need to do a few things to make sure that the new puppy will be happy with their surroundings, and that they are going to be able to enjoy the life that you have to offer to them. Therefore, when you are looking at your life and your home, you need to be sure that you are preparing correctly for a new member of your family. Remember, when you have a new puppy, you are truly welcoming someone else into your family, and you need to be sure that the puppy always has that place in your heart.
You must prepare both your home and your life for your new puppy. Failure to prepare correctly won't help your puppy, and will make it very hard to enjoy your life with your new dog in it.
Before you prepare your home and your life, you should also know that you'll need supplies. Be sure that you have them before you bring your dog home. Research good pet foods, make a decision about which one is best, and have some on hand. Have food bowls, water bowls, toys, treats, and bedding all ready for your new puppy. Make sure that you have a good collar and a leash, and that you have contacted someone about training your new puppy.
Preparing Your Home
There are several things that you need to do to prepare your home for your new puppy, so that you can be sure the dog will fit well in to your home and be a great member of your family. First of all, you need to be sure that there is an area of your home where your puppy can be ? a space that feels like their own. Some families use entry areas or mud rooms, and some use a corner of the living room or basement. If at all possible, the area should have a kennel that your dog can be in, as well as an area for them to lounge and play ?with toys, bedding, and some food and water bowls for them. Remember that you want your new puppy to feel at home in your home, so providing them with a place of their own is one of the best ways that you can do this.
It will also be easier to kennel train your dog if you allow them to have a place that they like where they can get into the kennel, even if they aren't being shut in it for a time. The kennel will become something like a den for your new puppy, and you might find that he goes to it to take naps, or to just spend time. He might also take treats and bones to his kennel to bury. The more that you can make his kennel or area into a place that he truly enjoys; the happier he'll be when you need to leave him in the kennel. Also, the more comfortable that your new puppy can be with the area you've given him; the more likely he'll be comfortable in the rest of your home as well.
You also need to puppy proof your home ? much like you would for a small child. Be sure that there is nothing on shelves in the puppy's reach that he will be able to get to ? because he will grab it and he will chew it. Find a place for your shoes so that they aren't on the floor, and be sure that other things are picked up as well.
There are some safety issues that you'll want to think about. Although your new puppy probably won't stick anything into electrical outlets, he might chew on chords, so be sure that you have hidden or picked up all of the chords. Tie up any curtains that you think he might get tangled in, or even things that he might go potty on. Also, be sure that the doors and windows to your home are secure so your puppy can't accidentally get out of them.
Preparing Your Life
There are some things that you will need to do to prepare your life for your new puppy. You might not think that a puppy is a large addition to your family ? but it can be just as life changing as having a new baby around. You need to make sure that you have the time for a puppy ? you should be able to discuss with your family who will have the time to feed the dog, take it outside, and play with it each day. Remember that you can make it work even if you are busy, as long as your entire family is on board.
There are some other things to think about. Having a puppy is a lifetime commitment ? for the entire life of the dog. Therefore, make sure that your landlord is okay with you having a puppy, and that you've thought about the fees that you might have to pay. Be sure that you find a good vet, and are willing to spend the money that it takes to provide lifelong care for your dog. Lastly, think about what would happen to your dog if something happened to you. Just like with children, you need to make sure that your dog will be provided for.
You want to be sure that you have given your new puppy the best life possible, so start by making sure that your life is ready for him. Then, you'll know that he has what he needs! When you bring a puppy into your life you are bringing something that is living, breathing, and needing of all sorts of things. Therefore, you want to focus on the ways that you can make sure your life is ready for a new addition. This will allow you to be happier, and will help to make sure that the puppy is properly taken care of and lives a happier life with you and your family as well.
One of the first dog training protocol you will want to initiate when you get a new puppy is to teach him to inhibit the force of his play-bites. It is not necessary to reprimand the pup, and certainly physical punishments are not called for. But it is essential to let your puppy know that bites can hurt. A simple "Ouch!" is usually sufficient. When the puppy backs off, take a short time-out to "lick your wounds," instruct your pup to come, sit, and lie down to apologize and make up. Then resume playing.
If your puppy does not respond to your yelp by easing up or backing off, an effective technique is to call the puppy a "Bully!" and then leave the room and shut the door. Allow the pup a minute or two time-out to reflect on the association between his painful bite and the immediate departure of his favorite human chew-toy. Then return to make up. It is important to show that you still love your puppy, only that his painful bites are objectionable. Have your pup come and sit and then resume playing once more.
It is much better for you to walk away from the pup than to physically restrain him or remove him to his confinement area at a time when he is biting too hard. So make a habit of playing with your puppy in his long-term confinement area. This technique is remarkably effective with lead-headed dogs, since it is precisely the way puppies learn to inhibit the force of their bites when playing with each other. If one puppy bites another too hard, the dog who gets bitten yelps and playing is postponed while he licks his wounds. The biter soon learns that hard bites interrupt an otherwise enjoyable play session. He learns to bite more softly once play resumes.
The next step is to eliminate bite pressure entirely, even though the "bites" no longer hurt. While your puppy is chewing his human chew-toy, wait for a bite that is harder than the rest and respond as if it really hurt, even though it didn't: "Ouch - Gennntly! That really hurt me, you bully!" Your puppy begins to think, "Good heavens! These humans are soooooo sensitive. I'll have to be really careful when mouthing their delicate skin." And that's precisely what you want your pup to think: that he needs to be extremely careful and gentle when playing with people.
Your pup should learn not to hurt people well before he is three months old. Ideally, by the time he is four and a half months old (before he develops strong jaws and adult canine teeth) he should no longer be exerting any pressure when mouthing.
Both Shawn Oconnor & John Edwards are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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