So now that you have the cutest bundle of fur ever seen. What are you going to do about it? Here are some guidelines for helping you, your dog and your family have a successful transition successful dog owner.
As you welcome the new dog into the house there are a few things you will need. A crate, a collar and leash, a bell, and a good quality dog food.
Arguably the most important thing you will need is a crate. Many people have an aversion to using a crate, they think that they caging their dog. Nothing could be further from the truth. Think of a crate as giving your dog their own room. A crate is an essential tool in raising a well balanced dog. A crate provides a safe place for your dog to get away from the hustle and bustle of the house. It also provides a place for your dog to be when you cannot supervise them directly. Naturally animals do Not like to dedicate in their own living space. Dogs are no different,as you start to trust your dog more the more freedom he can have (both in space and time) outside of his kennel.
One of the most important things to do with house training is knowing when to take your puppy outside. The rule of thumb is that the dogs can “hold it” one hour for every month of their age. Getting your dog to let you know when they need to go outside is where the bell comes in. To get your dog to ring the bell help the pup ring the bell by touching their paw to the bell before opening the door. Be consistent and before long your puppy will start ringing the bell to let you know he’s GOT TO GO!
Dog food is pretty straight forward. It is important to use the highest quality dog food you can afford. Preferably a grain free one that uses real meat. The most important thing about food is establishing a feeding schedule, and making sure you are feeding them enough. Many people think that free feeding their dog is a good idea. After all they will have food any time that they want it. This is not the case. A feeding schedule will help you with house training. Think of it like this if you know when it goes in, you can predict when it will come out. Another thing with a feeding schedule is that you want to be the most important thing in your dog’s life. If your puppy knows his food comes from you then you have a very significant need in your dog’s life.
A collar and leash are important because this will be the major tools you will use when socializing your dog. The collar should be loose enough to move freely around the neck yet snug enough to not slip over the head. There is more to talk about how to use a leash that we will cover at another time. But for now keep in mind that your dog should be comfortable wearing it and learn not to pull against it.
If you are using these Items with your dog than you are off to a good start. If you find yourself struggling with your new puppy and need help please give us a call. We would be happy to help.