Once you adopt a puppy, his development into a friendly, well-behaved adult dog is entirely in your hands. Even perfectly-bred puppies can develop bad habits and serious behavioral problems if their owners are not vigilant. Because such problems are often difficult to curb once they are established, take steps to prevent them from forming in the first place.
The first several weeks in your home are among the most important and influential for your pup. He is at his most impressionable during this phase. The lessons he learns are likely to stay with him for years, molding his behaviors, and shaping his perspective of the world around him.
In this article, we'll offer a quick guide for raising your puppy, beginning from his first day in your home. We'll cover the essentials, such as housetraining, veterinary care, and socialization, so you'll be better prepared to oversee your new companion's development.
Introducing Your Pup To Your Home
When bringing your puppy home for the first time, consider his perspective. He has been separated from his mother and littermates; he has taken a bumpy, unfamiliar ride in your vehicle; and he is now presented with an environment that is entirely unknown to him. For these reasons, he will likely be hesitant.
Give your pet time to adjust. If you have children, ask them to avoid approaching the puppy since doing so may overwhelm him. Instead, allow him to spend time alone in his dog bed so he can become acclimated to his new home. When bedtime arrives, create a pen for him in your room. That way, he won't feel isolated.
Housetraining And Other Early Activities
Housetraining should begin almost immediately. This is the best time to communicate your happiness when your pet eliminates outside. When he does so, give him a treat and praise him. If he has an accident, be patient. As a rule, plan to take your pup outside each time he begins a new activity. This includes eating meals, waking up, and playing.
Puppies should be given three or four meals each day. They need to eat more often than adult dogs. This is a good time to train your pup to wait patiently for his meals. This teaches him that you are in control of the resources, and are the de facto leader of his pack.
Help your puppy become accustomed to the feel of a collar around his neck. Let him wear a collar for short periods, gradually extending the length of time he does so. After a few days, attach a lead to the collar, and let him drag it with him. This further acclimates him to the feel.
Veterinary Care, Socialization, And Early Training
Your pup should have his first veterinary visit within two or three weeks after being introduced into your home. The veterinarian will conduct a full exam in order to identify health issues, if any, that need to be addressed. Vaccinations are also given to protect your puppy from disease.
Over the next few weeks, invite friends to visit your pup. If they own puppies or dogs, encourage them to bring them. This is an important step in socializing your pet, and giving him a chance to interact with others. Make sure the experiences are positive since they will influence your puppy's comfort around strangers down the road.
Now is also a good time to start teaching your pet a few commands, such as sit or come. Use positive reinforcement (e.g. treats, praise, petting, etc.) to reward proper responses.
Managing Your Puppy's Development
At four months, your puppy may start to nip at hands, jump on people, and chew items indiscriminately. Take steps to curb these behaviors, but do so gently. For example, if he bites your finger, say "ow!" and pull your hand away. This will teach him that biting is inappropriate, and makes you unhappy. By addressing these issues upfront, you'll prevent them from growing into bigger problems later.
One last note: make sure your puppy receives plenty of exercise and attention. Encourage others in your household to spend time with him. Doing so helps ensure your pup develops into a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted canine companion.
The first several weeks in your home are among the most important and influential for your pup. He is at his most impressionable during this phase. The lessons he learns are likely to stay with him for years, molding his behaviors, and shaping his perspective of the world around him.
In this article, we'll offer a quick guide for raising your puppy, beginning from his first day in your home. We'll cover the essentials, such as housetraining, veterinary care, and socialization, so you'll be better prepared to oversee your new companion's development.
Introducing Your Pup To Your Home
When bringing your puppy home for the first time, consider his perspective. He has been separated from his mother and littermates; he has taken a bumpy, unfamiliar ride in your vehicle; and he is now presented with an environment that is entirely unknown to him. For these reasons, he will likely be hesitant.
Give your pet time to adjust. If you have children, ask them to avoid approaching the puppy since doing so may overwhelm him. Instead, allow him to spend time alone in his dog bed so he can become acclimated to his new home. When bedtime arrives, create a pen for him in your room. That way, he won't feel isolated.
Housetraining And Other Early Activities
Housetraining should begin almost immediately. This is the best time to communicate your happiness when your pet eliminates outside. When he does so, give him a treat and praise him. If he has an accident, be patient. As a rule, plan to take your pup outside each time he begins a new activity. This includes eating meals, waking up, and playing.
Puppies should be given three or four meals each day. They need to eat more often than adult dogs. This is a good time to train your pup to wait patiently for his meals. This teaches him that you are in control of the resources, and are the de facto leader of his pack.
Help your puppy become accustomed to the feel of a collar around his neck. Let him wear a collar for short periods, gradually extending the length of time he does so. After a few days, attach a lead to the collar, and let him drag it with him. This further acclimates him to the feel.
Veterinary Care, Socialization, And Early Training
Your pup should have his first veterinary visit within two or three weeks after being introduced into your home. The veterinarian will conduct a full exam in order to identify health issues, if any, that need to be addressed. Vaccinations are also given to protect your puppy from disease.
Over the next few weeks, invite friends to visit your pup. If they own puppies or dogs, encourage them to bring them. This is an important step in socializing your pet, and giving him a chance to interact with others. Make sure the experiences are positive since they will influence your puppy's comfort around strangers down the road.
Now is also a good time to start teaching your pet a few commands, such as sit or come. Use positive reinforcement (e.g. treats, praise, petting, etc.) to reward proper responses.
Managing Your Puppy's Development
At four months, your puppy may start to nip at hands, jump on people, and chew items indiscriminately. Take steps to curb these behaviors, but do so gently. For example, if he bites your finger, say "ow!" and pull your hand away. This will teach him that biting is inappropriate, and makes you unhappy. By addressing these issues upfront, you'll prevent them from growing into bigger problems later.
One last note: make sure your puppy receives plenty of exercise and attention. Encourage others in your household to spend time with him. Doing so helps ensure your pup develops into a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted canine companion.
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