General Pet is your source for advice and information for a happy and healthy pet.
Author: James Kronefield Article source: http://www.articlealley.com/. Used with author's permission.
New puppy owners tend to make the same mistakes. Most of them are just simple things, but they make all the difference in the world to how well the puppy does at later becoming a happy, useful member of the family pack and a good dog citizen in the world.
No one would dream of bringing a new baby home from the hospital without even deciding where the baby will sleep, but puppy owners make this mistake regularly.
Here are some mistakes you can easily avoid. Some will mean the difference between life and death for your new pup.
1). Don't make a timing mistake. It's important for the puppy to have a chance to bond with his new pack, so try to find a time to bring him home when people will be home for several days in a row, like Friday of a long weekend in summer. Don't choose Sunday night late the day before Dad's going out of town for a week, Mom's working on a big presentation at work and Sally's in the final 2 weeks of rehearsals for the play she's starring in.
2). Don't make a consistency mistake. Be sure everybody agrees, and knows, what the rules are for the new puppy: where it is allowed to go and not allowed to go, who's responsible for taking it outside every hour or two so it's always peeing in the RIGHT spot; what exactly you're supposed to say and do when his tiny little needle teeth nip your skin (which he doesn't know is more sensitive that his brother's and sister's hides he's been lovingly nipping all week). Dogs thrive on consistency and love it. Don't confuse the pup by being confused yourselves, with "down" meaning lie down on the floor when one person says it and meaning "get off of my lap" when somebody else says it and "stop standing up digging your paws into my leg" another time. Make a separate command for "off" and use them consistently. And everybody, everybody needs to know what to do if the puppy starts peeing on the carpet ... including how to clean up instantly and use the special spray that removes the odor.
3).Don't be unprepared. Puppy proof the house BEFORE the puppy comes home. Get all poisons, power cords, etc. out of reach, because the pup WILL be inquisitive. Set up a secure safe area for the puppy with a puppy pen, his crate, a rest area, water, etc. in a warm place. A dog crate may look like a prison to you, but to the great-great-great- ... son of a wolf it looks like a safe snug cave. Do NOT just let the puppy run free unsupervised in the house. Ask you breeder or trainer or vet about how to help the puppy best get through his initial first night or two of separation from his mother and siblings. One manufacturer even has a special puppy bed with a stuffed dog with a digitally recorded heartbeat and a warmer to help with this transition. Remember to have food, an acceptable chew (check with vet) and a safe toy or two.
4). Avoid one of the new puppy owner's typical big problems by starting your pup's potty training BEFORE you ever take him into the hours. Take him from the car directly to THE spot you want him to use (which you have sprayed with some great stuff you got from the pet store to "mark" the spot.) Now, wait until he pees somewhere near that spot and give him a treat and just a ton of affection and praise. Now you can go inside and show him the house and his space in it. Encourage him to drink water and then bring him back to THE spot in an hour and wait (it may take a little while, just hanging out near THE spot ... another good reason to get new pups in summer). When he does it ... another treat and another ton of praise. And come back out ever 1-2 hours. If you do this for the first few days, Consistently, he will get it, and you will save yourself a load of hassle. Add the command "Go Potty ... good place" every time and you'll have a head start on later civilized "go on command" behavior when he's older and has more control.
5). Above all, don't try to win his love by letting him do whatever he wants to. It is critically important that from the first moment you and your puppy meet, it is clear that you are the "Alpha" dog in the pack: the BOSS dog. Every pack has a boss ... and you don't want him to get the idea it's him. He wants somebody to be boss. He's used to his mom being boss and it makes him feel safe. Never give a command you can't enforce. And never give a command without enforcing it. You and he will both be happier.
And don't worry about winning his love. It comes pre-installed.
Glenda North is a staff writer for NewPuppyNews.com, where you can find Articles, Reviews, Tips, Tricks - Help Your New Pup Learn How to Grow Up to be Your Canine Best Friend! http://NewPuppyNews.com
|
Print this page