The dog stands alone as a pet, for all the love and loyalty they bestow upon their owners. It is the nature of this animal that earned it the title "man's best friend." There are several things to do when bringing home a new puppy to get it off to a healthy and happy start. This is a guideline to help the new owner.
It is an exciting day, when the new family member arrives. One of the most important things to remember is that the puppy is arriving in a new environment. The new house and family members are strange, at first, and you must allow a few days for the puppy to get used to them.
New puppies should never be given free run of the house. Confine them to a small area, where they will feel more secure. They usually have not been used to a large area and a whole house is overwhelming. Pressure gates can be used to block off an area of the kitchen or other room. Training cages are another way to limit the puppies running room.
The training cage is the best method of raising a new pup for many reasons. Most puppies are already used to a cage and feel right at home in one. It will be a great aid in housebreaking and preventing chewing problems as well. The cost of purchasing a cage for a new puppy is offset easily by the possible damage that could be done by a young dog left unattended, especially with larger breeds.
Bringing home a young puppy is much like bringing home a new baby. Play periods should be kept short to give the puppy plenty of rest time. They don't yet know enough to rest when they get worn down, and will use too much energy playing if constantly stimulated. Restrain from taking the puppy to visit friends and neighbors until it has gotten a chance to get settled in. There will be plenty of time for that later.
Your new puppy will need to be fed 2 or 3 meals a day. Use a high quality puppy food. It is best to continue the same food that was being used for at least a week to lessen the amount of change on the puppy. Most foods have guidelines for the amount to feed on the bag. If you are unsure about the proper amount, check with the seller of the puppy.
A proper feeding routine will be the key to housebreaking. The puppy should be given about 10 minutes to eat and then any leftovers should be removed. Fresh water should be available after the food and at most other times.
Approximately twenty minutes after eating the puppy should be taken out to relieve itself. They usually cooperate well with this type of schedule and will go once they get running around outside. If they don't go to the bathroom, confine them once inside, and try again in fifteen minutes.
When the puppy goes out and does what it is supposed to, gives lots of praise (and even a treat)! This is positive conditioning and the puppy will soon learn what it is supposed to do. Accidents in the house may be scolded with a sharp "NO." Scolding should not be used until the puppy is settled in to the new home and feels secure.
The puppy's ability to control its elimination functions will get better as muscle control develops. Don't expect miracles from 8 - 12 week old dogs. Take them out frequently, and always before bringing them out of their confined area for playtime. Once they go out and do their thing, you can be fairly sure of an accident free play period.
In the beginning, the puppy should only be given free run when it can be actively watched. This way if they start to have an accident or chew on something they're not supposed to, the action can be corrected immediately. On the spot correction is very effective. This works to stop wrong behavior before it becomes a habit.
Once the puppy is acclimated to its new home you can begin to structure its behavior. Behaviors that are cute now, but won't be when the puppy gets older should be corrected immediately. It's not too bad when a 10 pound puppy jumps on you, but if the puppy becomes a 60 pound adult it won't be funny anymore. As I said, it is easier to stop incorrect behaviors before they become habits.
Good behavior should always be rewarded with praise and treats. You will be surprised how quickly this will work to teach a few basic commands such as sit and stay. It pays to teach your dog a few of the basic commands. This gives some control and makes for smooth relations with others.
With love and a little patience your new puppy will grow to be a fantastic pet, or in most cases, another member of the family. Personally, I have had many pets, but my dogs are not grouped with them. They are considered family and will always be a part of my life. I wish you much success and love with your new puppy, and hope you will soon feel the same.