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Top Tips for a New Puppy Coming Home
The arrival of a new pup is such an exciting time, but there’s also quite a bit of work involved in raising a pup, so it’s a great idea to plan ahead! One of the first things I talk to clients about is how to establish a confinement area, which keeps the pup out of danger, prevents rehearsal of unwanted behavior (like chewing, stealing taboo items, etc.), and gives the pet parent time away from strictly supervising the pup when they have other things to attend to.
The confinement area isn’t meant to be punishing, so it should be littered with fun toys, food puzzles, and chewies, along with a comfortable resting spot. Regular meals could be fed in there to enhance the location. And if you put the pup into this area after she’s been pottied and when she’s already tired and in need of a nap, that often helps her to settle into this space more comfortably.
What’s another success tip for new pups?
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2 Replies
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Potty training is ALWAYS my #1 goal with new puppy owners because it’s one of the main reasons dogs are surrendered to shelters when the puppy cuteness wears off. Potty training is not complicated, but does take thought and effort. Here are my tips:
- ALWAYS go out with the puppy on a leash and stand where you want them to go. No walking around. Be boring. Wait 5 minutes. If no potty happens, the puppy gets gently picked up and returned to their crate (with water!) where they can wait 30 minutes before trying again.
- Feed the puppy 3 treats immediately when they finish a pee or poop, right there on the spot! (No walking back to the house first.)
- Learn the puppy’s patterns. Keep a record of the time of day, # of pee/poop. Some pups need to eliminate 2 or 3 times before they are truly empty. A common mistake is the puppy has a short whiz outside, then the owner brings the puppy back into the house and is shocked that puppy pees or poops on the floor.
- After potty time comes play time. The leash comes off and puppy is exercised, trained and played with. Then the pup will be ready for a snack, a drink and a nap.
- Take the puppy out when they wake up, when they start sniffing the floor and anytime there’s a transition in their excitement levels, such as when a friend comes home or the pup goes from a rowdy play session to a wind-down.
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Stellar advice, @catherine !
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