You just saw the picture on Facebook a couple of days ago. That was it: instant love. You decided you had to have him. It has happened to all of us. So that cute, warm little ball of energy is going to be running all over your house soon (if he isn't already). Don't let the cute looks fool you - dogs are energetic and inquisitive animals that require both physical stimulation and mental stimulation on a daily basis in order to peacefully coexist with your family, hopefully without the destruction of the human stuff in the house like furniture, shoes, remotes, iPhones, etc. It IS possible to have a good puppy right off the bat if you set your puppy up for success by following the easy steps below.
1. Puppy Proof
Do a thorough search of the floors in each room in your house and pick up any items off the floor that either you would not like to see destroyed or may injure the pup if he were to find them. This includes shoes and clothes in your bedroom, toys in your kids' rooms (dogs cannot distinguish between human kid toys and fur kid toys until they are taught the difference), and stacks of books, papers, or other loose items in your office. Look under any furniture where the puppy can fit underneath or may be able to reach a stray item with a paw. Items small enough for the puppy to choke on, such as ballpoint pen caps, marbles, or other similarly sized objects are especially important to find and remove.
Make sure electrical cords are not in plain view and are covered, either by furniture or plastic cord covers available at any home supply store. Make sure all household cleaning items are safely stored away in a cabinet or on a shelf out of reach of your pets.
Restrict access to areas that are designated as "off-limits" by keeping doors closed or gating off areas with baby gates.
Instill the good habit within your family of closing the lid to the toilet after every use to discourage the bad habit of your dog drinking from the "human butt water bowl."
Keep trash cans out of reach behind closed doors or off of the floor in areas where your pup has access.
Do not let your puppy have access to any areas that have been sprayed with pesticides or other toxic chemicals, as that could make him very sick and result in heafty vet bills if you're lucky, or the death of your sweet pup if you're not.
Do a thorough search of the floors in each room in your house and pick up any items off the floor that either you would not like to see destroyed or may injure the pup if he were to find them. This includes shoes and clothes in your bedroom, toys in your kids' rooms (dogs cannot distinguish between human kid toys and fur kid toys until they are taught the difference), and stacks of books, papers, or other loose items in your office. Look under any furniture where the puppy can fit underneath or may be able to reach a stray item with a paw. Items small enough for the puppy to choke on, such as ballpoint pen caps, marbles, or other similarly sized objects are especially important to find and remove.
Make sure electrical cords are not in plain view and are covered, either by furniture or plastic cord covers available at any home supply store. Make sure all household cleaning items are safely stored away in a cabinet or on a shelf out of reach of your pets.
Restrict access to areas that are designated as "off-limits" by keeping doors closed or gating off areas with baby gates.
Instill the good habit within your family of closing the lid to the toilet after every use to discourage the bad habit of your dog drinking from the "human butt water bowl."
Keep trash cans out of reach behind closed doors or off of the floor in areas where your pup has access.
Do not let your puppy have access to any areas that have been sprayed with pesticides or other toxic chemicals, as that could make him very sick and result in heafty vet bills if you're lucky, or the death of your sweet pup if you're not.
2. Provide Appropriate Items to Chew
Most dogs have a strong desire to chew, although this varies with the dog's age and breed (or mix of breeds). Puppies tend to have a stronger desire to chew and higher energy levels than an adult dog, which is why so many household items are destroyed by young dogs. Providing appropriate and safe items to chew, such as bully sticks, can satisfy your pup's need to chew in a safe way. And it saves your shoes! Other good chew items include chew toys like Nylabones and Kongs, which can be filled with yummy treats.
If you catch your pup with a shoe or other item he is not supposed to have, offer to trade by handing your pup a favorite toy or bully stick, but he can only have it if he gives you the item you want. Teaching your puppy to "drop it" is an important command to learn early on.
Most dogs have a strong desire to chew, although this varies with the dog's age and breed (or mix of breeds). Puppies tend to have a stronger desire to chew and higher energy levels than an adult dog, which is why so many household items are destroyed by young dogs. Providing appropriate and safe items to chew, such as bully sticks, can satisfy your pup's need to chew in a safe way. And it saves your shoes! Other good chew items include chew toys like Nylabones and Kongs, which can be filled with yummy treats.
If you catch your pup with a shoe or other item he is not supposed to have, offer to trade by handing your pup a favorite toy or bully stick, but he can only have it if he gives you the item you want. Teaching your puppy to "drop it" is an important command to learn early on.
3. Crate Training
Even if you haven't thought about crate training your pup, or even if you think crating a pup is cruel, consider that your dog descended from den animals (wolves), and a large percentage of dogs of all ages, such as the young one pictured to the right, LOVE the comfort and safety of a crate. Purchase a crate that is large enough in which your puppy can comfortably stand and turn around. You can easily teach your pup to love his crate by only offering him an extra special treat when he is in his crate. Offer this particular treat at no other time other than crate time. I like using Kongs filled with treats and capped with creamy peanut butter, then frozen. Be consistent with only delivering this treat (which the dog must LOVE - that is the motivation!) in the crate, and pretty soon, you will have a dog that will race into his crate with a wagging tail, waiting for his yummy treat! You can then simply hand him the treat, then close the door and walk away. If your dog starts to cry (or cries once he's finished with his treat), ignore him. He can only be let out again if he is calm and quiet, otherwise you are rewarding him for making a scene in his crate, and he will keep doing it because he is getting rewarded for it.
Even if you haven't thought about crate training your pup, or even if you think crating a pup is cruel, consider that your dog descended from den animals (wolves), and a large percentage of dogs of all ages, such as the young one pictured to the right, LOVE the comfort and safety of a crate. Purchase a crate that is large enough in which your puppy can comfortably stand and turn around. You can easily teach your pup to love his crate by only offering him an extra special treat when he is in his crate. Offer this particular treat at no other time other than crate time. I like using Kongs filled with treats and capped with creamy peanut butter, then frozen. Be consistent with only delivering this treat (which the dog must LOVE - that is the motivation!) in the crate, and pretty soon, you will have a dog that will race into his crate with a wagging tail, waiting for his yummy treat! You can then simply hand him the treat, then close the door and walk away. If your dog starts to cry (or cries once he's finished with his treat), ignore him. He can only be let out again if he is calm and quiet, otherwise you are rewarding him for making a scene in his crate, and he will keep doing it because he is getting rewarded for it.
4. Offer a Wide Variety of Toys
Since you won't know right away what kinds of toys your dog will like, get a wide variety of toys, including stuffed, squeeky, durable/chew, and interactive games like the one in the middle picture above. Put them all in a toy basket or other designated area that is within his reach. The more cool toys you have to distract your dog, the less likely he is to go find an item with which to play that you do NOT consider a toy!
Since you won't know right away what kinds of toys your dog will like, get a wide variety of toys, including stuffed, squeeky, durable/chew, and interactive games like the one in the middle picture above. Put them all in a toy basket or other designated area that is within his reach. The more cool toys you have to distract your dog, the less likely he is to go find an item with which to play that you do NOT consider a toy!
5. Exercise!
Most common behavioral problems in dogs can be solved through daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. As stated above, dogs desperately need exercise in some form every day in order to be calm, functioning, well-adjusted members of your household.
At the very least, your dog should be walked every day, and not just a trip to the mailbox to poop. This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy together, as this form of exercise benefits everyone. If you've heard the phrase, "A tired dog is a happy dog," that is no joke! If you cannot find the time to give your dog daily exercise, hire an insured and bonded professional dog walker to do it for you. Getting your dog into a day care program is also an option if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs outside of his home. Please note however, that doggie day care is not a viable option for every dog and can actually stress some dogs out, so make sure you talk to the day care owners and inquire about the status of your dog and whether he is really enjoying himself in that environment.
Some dogs really enjoy competitive dog activities like competitive obedience, agility, Frisbee, or flyball - all of which are good ways for you and your dog to increase your bond, and it helps to release his energy in a healthy and constructive way.
Physical exercise is only part of the equation to a happy, healthy pup. Mental stimulation in the form of training and active training games that require your dog to think can actually tire a dog out more quickly than an hour of running! Work with a professional trainer on basic obedience and set aside 10 minutes per day to focus on nothing else but training your pup. Make it fun, ask your trainer what games you can play to make learning fun for him - he will learn very quickly if it is always a positive experience.
Most common behavioral problems in dogs can be solved through daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. As stated above, dogs desperately need exercise in some form every day in order to be calm, functioning, well-adjusted members of your household.
At the very least, your dog should be walked every day, and not just a trip to the mailbox to poop. This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy together, as this form of exercise benefits everyone. If you've heard the phrase, "A tired dog is a happy dog," that is no joke! If you cannot find the time to give your dog daily exercise, hire an insured and bonded professional dog walker to do it for you. Getting your dog into a day care program is also an option if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs outside of his home. Please note however, that doggie day care is not a viable option for every dog and can actually stress some dogs out, so make sure you talk to the day care owners and inquire about the status of your dog and whether he is really enjoying himself in that environment.
Some dogs really enjoy competitive dog activities like competitive obedience, agility, Frisbee, or flyball - all of which are good ways for you and your dog to increase your bond, and it helps to release his energy in a healthy and constructive way.
Physical exercise is only part of the equation to a happy, healthy pup. Mental stimulation in the form of training and active training games that require your dog to think can actually tire a dog out more quickly than an hour of running! Work with a professional trainer on basic obedience and set aside 10 minutes per day to focus on nothing else but training your pup. Make it fun, ask your trainer what games you can play to make learning fun for him - he will learn very quickly if it is always a positive experience.
6. Supervise at All Times
Last, but not least, supervise your pup at all times when he is running free in your house; accidents and bad behaviors can be stopped before they start if you are always watching your pup's every move. Puppies (and adult dogs too) can get into things you never thought possible, so always be aware of where they are in your house and what they are doing. This is very important, because you can't tell a dog, "No! Bad dog!" if you find something torn up or pee on the rug, but the dog is long-gone from the scene. If you don't catch them in the act, they do not understand your reaction to what they've done. If you catch them doing something right, lavish love and praise on them for being a good dog. On the contrary, if they are doing something wrong, like chewing a shoe, grab one of their toys or chews and offer a trade, rewarding them for making the correct choice and taking the toy.
Following these simple steps above will get you well on your way to keeping the peace in your household with the addition of your new furry friend, without sacrificing the human items within it.
Last, but not least, supervise your pup at all times when he is running free in your house; accidents and bad behaviors can be stopped before they start if you are always watching your pup's every move. Puppies (and adult dogs too) can get into things you never thought possible, so always be aware of where they are in your house and what they are doing. This is very important, because you can't tell a dog, "No! Bad dog!" if you find something torn up or pee on the rug, but the dog is long-gone from the scene. If you don't catch them in the act, they do not understand your reaction to what they've done. If you catch them doing something right, lavish love and praise on them for being a good dog. On the contrary, if they are doing something wrong, like chewing a shoe, grab one of their toys or chews and offer a trade, rewarding them for making the correct choice and taking the toy.
Following these simple steps above will get you well on your way to keeping the peace in your household with the addition of your new furry friend, without sacrificing the human items within it.
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