10 simple tips for new puppy owners
A puppy after a long day of training its new family! :)
First of all, congratulations! If you’re reading this you may have, or are thinking about, adding a new lovable member to your family! And we want to also congratulate you for doing your research, getting a puppy is an exciting but sometimes overwhelming part of life; which is why we’re here to help! Hopefully these tips will help you and your puppy get a great start to living life together.
One of the first things you should do when getting a puppy is finding a veterinarian that aligns with you and your values. Starting a relationship with your vet from those early stages of life will help build a bond, get your pup used to going to the vet, and provide you with someone to answer your questions and reassure you when you’re not quite sure what is going on. Hopefully you choose to bring your pup to Roots, but there won’t be any hard feelings if you decide to visit someone else.
Get them used to their vet exam, nail trims and teeth brushing! This will save you (and us, so thank you in advance) a lot of time in the future. Practice holding their paws, looking in their mouth and ears, putting your fingers in their mouth, lifting their tail and anything else you or your vet may need to do to them as they get older.
Use frozen carrots (the big ones, Bugs Bunny style) as chew toys! Buy the carrots and place them in the freezer. That's it! Simple. They are healthy and the perfect consistency to keep those razor-sharp puppy teeth busy for a few minutes. Those who have teething babies will understand.
To aid in leash training, start by clipping a leash to their collar or harness and let them drag it around for a few minutes while you watch. It will help get them used to having some tension on their collar or harness. We recommend a collar, but a harness for walking.
Set a daily routine. This will help your puppy get used to living life on your terms and help keep you sane. Dogs are creatures of habit, so allowing them to get used to a routine is teaching them what can and can’t be done at certain times
Ensure that potty breaks are just for pottying. There is nothing more frustrating than taking your puppy outside to go potty and having them play instead, then proceeding to go as soon as they get inside. Make sure that you ignore your puppy when going out on potty breaks except to encourage them to use the bathroom. Then, once your puppy goes you can do all the celebrating you can imagine!
Enroll in puppy preschool! Even if you’re a professional dog trainer, puppy preschool can still be beneficial. It not only helps you learn how to mold them into their best selves, but it also helps them socialize with puppies their own age, which teaches them how to behave around other dogs. As an added bonus, it’s almost guaranteed that your puppy will be exhausted after class. At least for a few minutes.
Positive reinforcement is key! Instead of shaming your puppy when they do something wrong, praise them when they do something right! This will help you build a strong bond with your puppy, while also teaching them that they get the best rewards when they are good dogs!
Nip puppy biting in the butt— err bud. We’ll add two tips to this one just for funsies. First, anytime your puppy starts nibbling on you or anything they aren’t supposed to, replace that item with a toy or frozen carrot. This teaches them what can be chewed on. Second, if your puppy is biting you, make an exaggerated yelp. I know it sounds silly, but this is how your puppy would’ve learned from its siblings, and an easy way to teach them that they’ve gone too far.
Socialize! Socialize Socialize! I know, I know, you’re not supposed to be taking your dog out before it’s finished its vaccines! But those first few weeks are key to your puppy’s socialization. So no, don’t take them to dog parks or highly-populated areas. Instead, visit a dog-friendly restaurant or ask your friends (who you know have healthy, vaccinated dogs) to bring their pups over for a playdate!
Puppies are a lot of work, but they are even more fun to have around. It’s a completely worth it experience, and one you don’t have to be alone! Never hesitate to reach out to me (or your vet) if you are having any issues, questions or concerns regarding your new puppy. It’s what we’re here for!