The First Week |
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Before your puppy comes
home it is important to be prepared. Puppy
training basics during the first week the
puppy is home is critical. It is obvious
that you need certain physical items such as
a dog bed or crate, food and water bowls,
puppy chow, collar, leash, toys, etc.
Equally as important, all family members
must decide and agree on routine,
responsibility and rules.
The first few days are
extremely important. Your new puppy
has just been taken away from "Mom" and
littermates. He is vulnerable and
impressionable. What he needs how is
security and routine. |
 Set
up a small room to be his very
own special haven for the next
couple of months. Paper the
entire floor and put his
food/water bowls and bed in one
corner. Scatter his toys
everywhere. |
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Play
with him quietly and gently.
Don't flood him with attention
and activity. If he looks like
he wants to sleep, leave him
alone. Puppies need lots of
sleep.
Decide
who is responsible for feeding
and cleaning up after him. Don't
deviate from the schedule.
Routine is especially important
for your puppy. Don't spend all
your time with him. If he is
going to be alone during the day
or night, he needs to start
getting used to it now. If he
wakes up from a nap and whines,
resist the urge to run in and
comfort him. |
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Since
puppies are so impressionable,
it is important to begin
explaining the rules right away.
Puppies learn very quickly with
proper instruction. Never hit
your puppy or give harsh
reprimands. Instead, show your
puppy what kind of behavior you
want. Teach him to play with his
toys. Make them fun and
exciting. Let him know how happy
you are and how good he is when
he chews them. Then, when you
see him chewing your furniture,
firmly tell him, "Off!" and
immediately show him one of his
own toys. Encourage him to play
with and chew on it. Praise him
profusely when he does so. If
you don't catch him in the act,
anything you do will confuse
him. The only way you can
instruct your puppy is to be
there. If you can't be there,
don't allow him to have access
to places where he can get into
trouble. |
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Schedule
an appointment with your
veterinarian immediately.
Puppies are susceptible to many
canine diseases until they are
fully vaccinated; so don't take
your puppy outside until your
veterinarian says it is OK. |
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