So You Got That Christmas Puppy… Now What?
January 6, 2008, 12:06 pm
Filed under: Affenpinscher, Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Eskimo, American Foxhound, american humane, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, animal behavior, Animal Communication, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Australian Terrier, barking, Basenji, Bassett Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Turvuren, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Black and Tan Coonhound, Black Lab, Black Russian Terrier, Bloodhound, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Boston Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Briard, Brittany, Brussells Griffon, Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, buying a puppy, Cairn Terrier, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsch Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, Chinese Sharpei, Chow Chow, Christmas puppies, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Curly Coated Retriever, Dachshund, Dalmation, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Dog Behavior, dog health, dog psychology, dog socialization, Dog Training, Dog training associations, Dogs, Environmental Enrichment, Finnish Spitz, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Gordon Setter, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Harrier, Havanese, HSUS, humane society of the united states, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Keeshond, Kuvasz, Labradoodle, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, Nebraska dog trainer, Nebraska dog training, Newfoundland, Norweigan Elkhound, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, omaha dog daycare, Omaha Dog Trainer, Omaha Dog Whisperer, Otterhound, Papillon, Pekingese, Pekingnese, petstore puppy, pit bull, Poodle, positive dog training, Puppy training, rat terrier, Rottweiler, Saluki, Samoyed, Sandi Hansen, Sandi's K9 Management, Shar pei, Sharpei, Sheltie, Shitzu, Siberian Husky, Tamar Gellar, West Highland Terrier, Westie, Whippet, Yorkie, Yorkshire Terrier
Filed under: Affenpinscher, Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Eskimo, American Foxhound, american humane, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, animal behavior, Animal Communication, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Australian Terrier, barking, Basenji, Bassett Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Turvuren, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Black and Tan Coonhound, Black Lab, Black Russian Terrier, Bloodhound, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Boston Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Briard, Brittany, Brussells Griffon, Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, buying a puppy, Cairn Terrier, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsch Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, Chinese Sharpei, Chow Chow, Christmas puppies, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Curly Coated Retriever, Dachshund, Dalmation, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Dog Behavior, dog health, dog psychology, dog socialization, Dog Training, Dog training associations, Dogs, Environmental Enrichment, Finnish Spitz, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Gordon Setter, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Harrier, Havanese, HSUS, humane society of the united states, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Keeshond, Kuvasz, Labradoodle, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, Nebraska dog trainer, Nebraska dog training, Newfoundland, Norweigan Elkhound, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, omaha dog daycare, Omaha Dog Trainer, Omaha Dog Whisperer, Otterhound, Papillon, Pekingese, Pekingnese, petstore puppy, pit bull, Poodle, positive dog training, Puppy training, rat terrier, Rottweiler, Saluki, Samoyed, Sandi Hansen, Sandi's K9 Management, Shar pei, Sharpei, Sheltie, Shitzu, Siberian Husky, Tamar Gellar, West Highland Terrier, Westie, Whippet, Yorkie, Yorkshire Terrier
So you got that Christmas puppy after all? Hmmmm. Well, since he is with you now… what is your next step to turning this little guy into a well-behaved adult dog? This will quickly sum up a few quick tips that I get questions about every day.
- The first thing I suggest is to get that puppy around as many well-socialized adult dogs as you can find. This is extremely important for the mental well-being of the pup in order for him to continue learning proper body language. Playgroups are great, but dog daycare is even better! See if you can get your dog enrolled in the nearest dog daycare tomorrow. Off-leash play with well-behaved adult dogs is a must.
- The next best thing is to get that pup around as many different people and places as you possibly can. Your puppy should have the opportunity to pleasantly meet people of different sizes, races, and ages. Making these meetings as joyful as possible will help your pup to learn that people are not to be feared or dreaded. On that same note, getting the dog out and about to different locations will help to ensure that he looks forward to going places with you.
- Lastly but certainly not least, the use of a crate is an absolute must. Keep in mind that if you cannot keep an eye on your pup, he should be in his crate. This helps tremendously with housetraining, and also helps with managing other situations such as chewing inappropriate objects. Give him something to do that he has to look forward to in his crate such as a stuffed Kong or a Nylabone. And please remember to spend quality time with the little guy. His experiences with you should not just be taking him outside and putting him back in his crate! Interaction with you will help build a stronger lifetime bond.
Congratulations on your pup. Having a dog is a lifetime commitment, and the training should never end. Remember that life with a puppy can be hectic at times, but the amount of effort you put in while he is a youngster will help him to grow into a great adult companion!
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Sandi Hansen. Sandi’s K9 Management.
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