The number of times we heard new clients call and say they had a new puppy and didn't really know what the next step was, soared during COVID, but continues today. So, you have a new puppy (we will address a new rescue pup in another post). What do you need?
1. A crate. Get a crate that is big enough for your pup to turn around in, but not so large that it can use one side to potty and other side to sleep. The best ones are those with a divider - which also helps expand the space while your puppy grows.
2. A crate covering/and some soft music or a snuggle puppy! Crate coverings help your pup feel safe and allows it to sleep in the early days if you have family at home, kids etc. A snuggle puppy is a great option, which includes an insert that mimics a heartbeat, helping to comfort your pup. Leave off the option for rope toys however - they are not great for puppies or even older pups as they can cause a lot of internal damage if you aren't watching their play.
3. Teach your children (and even you) well! Everytime you pick up your puppy take it to the same place to potty. Don't pick your puppy up and sit it on the ground inside your home - it will pee and poop! Right there! Get some potty bells - and take your puppy's paw and swipe the bells before going outside. This isn't as easy to accomplish if you live in an apartment, so think carefully before you get a puppy - you might want to get an older dog that can hold it longer. Potty bells, regardless of age are a wonderful way to encourage your pup to tell you it needs to go out.
And, don't forget to treat your pup with a high value treat, each time it goes! Have some freeze dried treats near the door that you will use most often, and where the potty bells reside, to ensure you don't forget to treat! Rewarding your pup when it goes is the easiest way to encourage proper potty training! Works for kids too! Puppies are going to need to go out about every 2 hours from 6-8 weeks all the way up to about 12 weeks. So again, don't forget - everytime your pick up your pup - first take it out. Then feed it or play with it - then take it out again before putting it back in its crate!
4. Shots, Shots, Shots! Parvovirus kills dogs. Don't get a dog, without understanding what shots it will need. Your pup will need a series of shots to include Parvo, Distemper. Hepatitis and Kennel Cough and Leptospirosis: often these will show up on your vet bill as DHPP, DHLPP, or DAPP or DA2PP. One week after your puppy's second set of shots, your puppy is less likely to pick up diseases if walked in an area where other dogs have gone. Some vets like to wait until they are 12 weeks of age. If you get a dog from a breeder - they should have given your pup at least one set of shots, preferably two. Not only does it ensure your pup will be healthier - the longer your pup learns from its litter mates how to play and what is and isn't acceptable behavior, the more well adjusted it will be. Rescue groups also will have vaccinated your pup so make certain you fully understand what shots your puppy has, and what it needs. Make a vet appointment before you pick up your puppy so that you won't miss needed shots. Your pup will also need the canine influenza shot - but your vet will advise you when the best time is for that. If your pup has a reaction to shots - check out our Rebalancer from Adored Beast - it has helped many pups combat the reactions from shots without impacting their effectiveness.
5. Before you pick up your pup - make sure you have a proper harness and leash. I can't stand flexi leads - sorry folks but not only do they not help in training your pup, they also are dangerous, wrapping around legs resulting in some pretty bad leg rope burns (take it from someone who ran a doggie daycare!). Your pup will grow so you will need a harness that can grow with it for some time, but depending upon how big your pup will get - you likely will need to buy different harnesses over time. The best are harnesses that go over their head and securely wrap around their bodies. The No Pull Harness is one that includes a leash connecting to the front and back and helps ensure control over your pup. Ever heard of keeping someone on a short leash? That is what you need to do with your puppy as well. If you have a backyard, taking it out at a young age with treats and getting it to follow you - or imprint on you is a fantastic and long lasting way to keep your pup at your side. Once you begin walking your pup, always bring treats and ensure that it sits when another person or dog walks by. This will help prevent leash aggression in dogs, and encourage your pup to understand that another dog or person walking by is a good thing - it means a treat!
6. Once your pup is old enough - take it to daycare! Even if you bring it just once or twice a week, socialization in a controlled environment is a long-lasting and important item for your dog. Keeping it confined and away from other dogs, will not help it understand how to play, how to correct another dog correctly! and how to play. Dog parks don't meet those criteria as you have no idea if other dogs are vaccinated, nor how they will behave especially if the owner has its head down looking at its phone!
7. Training! Check out training venues that may include classes where your pup can socialize and/or one on one training. I don't like the big box store training programs, so look for local trainers. Don't use trainers that train via shock collars or prong collars. Teaching a dog that pain is the way to get it to work with you is not productive. Furthermore those dogs make really bad daycare dogs. We have seen it all, and the best dogs, are those that have been trained using postive reinforcement - with praise and treats. That doesn't mean you don't learn ways to correct a dog that isn't following your instructions - but its not done with pain! And make sure that everyone in the family is on board. Dogs look to humans for direction. If your pup is getting one signal from one person, and another from a different person, its going to be tough for it to behave.
8. Board your dog for a day early on. Its important for your dog to be well adjusted. A one night boarding stay every so often - helps it to understand that you are coming back, and that it can be a fun thing. Especially if you pack a really unique treat for them to get at night that is saved only for boarding adventures. Some dogs still like a person around, so look for a location that includes an overnight person and the option of sleeping with them.
9. If you have kids, make sure they are taught how to handle dogs as well. No pulling of ears, or tails or jumping on them. They need to be taught to respect an animal, respect its private place and understand that they are not a stuffed toy. My son grew up with dogs from infancy. He never pulled, tugged, etc. any part of the puppy. He loved them, and they loved him! But if you think your kids are too young to understand what is and isn't acceptable, and you don't think you can help them, don't get a dog. We saw so many pups given up because kids just couldn't respect an animal and the animal gave a warning growl or worse bit. Teaching your kids respect goes a long way toward respect of all living creatures, including people!
There is so much more to know about your new puppy - but this is a start. We will post additional resources such as how to avoid kennel cough, what is the best food, toys and treats that are great and what to avoid, etc!