Getting a Puppy this Christmas? Top Tips For A Happy Start
Getting a Puppy For Christmas?
A new puppy is always exciting and can be a fantastic present for all the family. As you introduce your puppy to their new home, it’s worth remembering these top tips for you and your new dog:
It’s tempting to let your new puppy rule the house when they first arrive – they look so harmless. Don’t do it – everyone in the house has to know who the boss of the dog is and play by their rules. This means leaving the puppy alone for some downtime in a quiet place, not distracting them at mealtimes and following the routines the boss lays down – if that’s you, make the rules and stick to them. This is the start of you being the pack leader for your puppy, a crucial role in your dog’s life.
To create a friendly, confident dog, you need to give them lots of new experiences from the moment they arrive. Take them out in the car, introduce them to everyone who visits the house including the postman, let them meet children, never tiptoe around them. This socialisation is crucial to their development and enables them to deal with whatever changes your life holds in the future.
They are cute, they are cuddly and one day in the very near future they will be a big, strong, determined dog. Do not leave training until problems start to occur, put basic routines in place from day one. Use their name (is it something you will feel comfortable calling in the park?) to get their attention, give praise for good behaviour, introduce some basic commands. The more you do now, the easier it will be later.
By following these top tips, you are well on the way to getting a great dog for life, not just a puppy for Christmas. If you’d like to know more about the best way to train your puppy, give me a call and we can make a positive start with your new dog in 2016.
Posted: December 22, 2015