There are not many things more exciting than welcoming a new puppy into your home. They are roly-poly bundles of fun and energy. It is easy to become overwhelmed if you don’t have a game plan to begin training. Even though your new best friend is still young, an eight-week-old puppy is capable of learning the basics.
*The first 8 ~ 12 weeks of a puppy’s life should be spent with its mother and littermates. During this time, your pup learns important social skills. If you take your puppy home too soon, it misses out on the social imprinting process which can lead to a lifetime of problems. Separating a pup from its mom and littermates too soon (before 8 weeks of age) can make it difficult to learn bite inhibition. They also don’t learn to interact normally with other dogs. This can cause puppies to become uncertain around strangers and fearful of other dogs. It is best to wait until the pup is at least 8 weeks old.
· Puppy-proof your home
*Puppies are curious about EVERYTHING. They will not think twice about eating your best pair of shoes, socks, plants, electrical cords and cell phones. It is your responsibility to make sure there is nothing puppy level that is dangerous. That means getting down on your hands and knees to see how your home looks to them. Remember, silence is golden unless you have a puppy. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
· Start basic training
*At 8 weeks old, a puppy is capable of learning some basic commands. Don’t wait to begin teaching sit, stay, down and come. These are lessons that will benefit your dog throughout their lives.
· Potty training
*The main thing you need when potty training is patience. The best way to train them to use the bathroom where you want them to is bringing them to the spot after each meal, drinks of water, waking up and playing. A puppy does not have the ability to hold their “business” so expect some accidents. A dog sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 more acute than ours.
Never push your puppy’s nose in their messes. That does not teach them anything other than the person they are supposed to trust is being mean. Just don’t do it.
· Socialization
*Take your puppy out to meet people as well as other dogs. If you don’t have a dog park in your area, visit pet-friendly stores and events. Playdates and classes are a fun way to make sure that your puppy is getting plenty of socialization. Invite friends and family over to play and interact with your new family member.
Tweet: Puppies grow up so fast. Here are 5 puppy mistakes to avoid~ http://bit.ly/1Kru7et #puppyhood
There are many things to consider before welcoming a new puppy into your life. Don’t have unrealistic expectations of them. Remember, they are babies and they grow up way too fast. Enjoy the puppy stage and rest assured that it does not last forever.
**For more tips on welcoming a new puppy please check out my post, "Purina Makes Puppyhood Easier."
It is Thoughtless Thursday’s blog hop with Ruckus the Eskie, Love is being owned by a Husky and me. The rules are, there are no rules!
Don't make my momma think bout puppies! Westminster sent her into a Puppy Fever™ overload - she's been lookin at puppies online again. I are tryin to act like a big baby to make her happy and keep her busy, BOL BOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat list. SHE learned some of them through experience....especially about shoes and books....
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how much I want to get another puppy!! Chloe's favorite thing was wires...computer wires...I sprayed every single wire in the house with that "bitter apple" spray!
ReplyDeleteGreat list !
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to be prepared to have your life turned upside down for a while. A puppy throws any routines you have out the door, but it is worth it.
ReplyDeleteif only they could breed a dog that would be a puppy forever (so long as it was house trained :) :)
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT Post... EVERYBUDDY needs to be reminded about the impawtant thingys that are needed fur a puppy. MY Ernie was 8 weeks old when he came to ME... and he was SO ready to learn thingys...MY WAY !!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't wait until my puppies learned self-control. Now I miss those days so much. No warning from McAfee. Weirder and weirder.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes still wait for my two to show some self-control! LOL! No McAfee warning makes me happy, happy, happy! ☺
DeleteGreat post!!! Everyone of them is so spot on!!
ReplyDeleteGood list!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice!! Now....how to talk my husband into getting another puppy...hmmmmmmm :-)
ReplyDeleteSmart Advice!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Some good tips!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm & Bark On!
Murphy & Stanley
Great tips! Under socialization I would add: Don't take young puppies to dog parks until they are fully vaccinated, usually around 16 weeks old but check w/ your Veterinarian. Prior to that, socialize in safer venues like friends' houses or invite others to your home with their vaccinated dogs/puppies. Dog parks & pet stores can be a hot bed of germs for a young puppy. Keep a young puppy in your arms at pet stores, not sniffing the floor and don't allow nose to nose contact w/ other dogs. Also, a dog park can be frightening for a young puppy being converged upon by groups of bigger dogs.
ReplyDeleteLove & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
The time does go by so fast with a puppy, right?? It seemed like Cocoa was never going to learn to go potty outside but all of a sudden she is almost 3 years old. It makes me want another puppy!! Cocoa was the first puppy we had because Daisy was 2 1/2 so it was all new. So fun!!
ReplyDeleteAre you getting ready for something? :) Luke was really a dream puppy, and I think it's because I knew so much more of this stuff than I did with the ones before him. We took him outside every 2 hours without fail (unless we were at work) and house training went well.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I see people bringing puppies home before they are 8 weeks old. I just don't understand what the rush is!
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
Mom said she learned a lot since getting me at 11weeks
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Socialization and training is so important! Thank you for reminding puppy pet parents to get that done!
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, Melissa! I wish that Harley had been socialized more as a pup. He really didn't meet another dog until he came to live with us at 2.5 years old! He gets along fine with other dogs, but is always just a bit awkward.
ReplyDelete