Most important, purchase a good book on puppy care and training. Read it and use it. The better you train your puppy now, the happier you’ll live together later on. Animal shelters are full of abandoned pets whose owners were too negligent or lazy to train them how to behave well. Just like rearing children, you have a responsibility to your puppy to teach him good manners and house training. It’s much easier to start with good habits than to break poor ones later on. Do not wait until your puppy is six months old to begin training; start immediately! House training. There are many different methods new owners can use: crate training, paper training, litter box training, and the tried-and-true method of regular visits outside. Consult your puppy book and read articles on the internet. Decide on which method you want to use, and be consistent and patient! Never physically punish your dog for accidents in the house (or rub his nose in his mess). Your puppy is just learning, and harsh punishment only makes him anxious and afraid. Remember, puppies have limited bladder control. They need to go potty when they wake up in the morning and after a nap, half an hour after they eat, and before they go to bed at night. Puppies do best on a regular schedule. House training takes time. Crates A dog crate is a must for all new puppies. You cannot watch your puppy every minute, and when you’re busy, he needs a safe place to go. Puppies that are allowed to wander the house unattended get into trouble. They’ll invariably find something to chew or a corner to go to the bathroom. You wouldn’t let a toddler wander around without supervision; don’t let your puppy either! A dog crate is not a prison; it is his "room." Used with reason and moderation, it will be your puppy’s safe haven and place of rest. Experiment where is the best place to put your puppy’s crate. Most puppies like to be near the family, but some can’t settle down with too much activity. Puppy Classes Seriously consider enrolling your new puppy in a puppy obedience class. It's good socialization for him and lays a wonderful foundation for good behavior. There are few things people admire more than a well behaved dog and few things they find more irritating than one who is not! Socialization Take care to socialize your puppy early. Socialization means that you will introduce your new puppy to as many new people, animals, sights, sounds, smells and environments every day as you can. You want to provide many positive experiences at a young age. The more of the big, wide world that your puppy experiences, the more comfortable he will be later on. Your puppy is a "sponge" between eight and sixteen weeks of age, absorbing everything. This is a critical period in your puppy's life. Dogs who aren't well socialized grow up to be nervous, suspicious, or fearful in new situations. They can grow into worrisome barkers and fear-biters. |