Let’s talk PUPPIES. Oh, they are cute. But they can be curious and energetic tornadoes that get into trouble and are without house manners in the beginning! It’s helpful to channel your patience for the wonderful-world-of-puppy-ness.
Here are some tips to help introduce your new companion to your home and to you and your puppy get off on the right foot:
- Limit Puppy’s Access & Have a Crate and/or Playpen
Dog crates and playpens give puppies a secure space to rest and play. Crates and playpens give puppies a confined space to safety hang out while they learn good manners. Plus, crates and pens help to keep your pup from chewing and peeing inappropriately. While your dog’s crate is a place for rest and relaxation, exercise pens are exactly what they sound like: bigger fenced-in areas, similar to playpens for kids, that give your pup a place to play and run around safely while you’re busy doing other things. - Introduce Other Family Pets & Family Members
If possible, do this one person at a time. Give your dog a chance to meet each of you quietly. Supervise young children. Discourage them from picking up the puppy. Let them hold them in their laps with your help.
Puppies are still developing their communication skills and don’t understand the rules set in place by adult dogs. As long as an adult dog’s behavior is appropriate when correcting a puppy, it’s okay if they growl a little. If the elder dog becomes agitated, separate or redirect the puppy. - Choose a Potty Spot (and Have Lots of Potty Pads and Carpet Cleaner On-Hand)
Start by taking them to the outside area where you want them to eliminate. When they relieve themselves, use a command that you’ll stick to, like “go potty,” and reward them with a special treat and praise. - Have a Healthy Supply of Food & Treats
Dog nutrition is important and there are so many choices out there. Be sure to ask your vet for recommendations. And be sure to feed the correct amount (CLICK HERE for a guide). Treats (and love) are great for training, so a supply of treats is always a good idea. - Have a Food & Water Bowl
Be sure to have food and waters bowls for the new pup. The fun part is that there are so many cute ones! (My list of favorite items is below). - Get a Collar & Leash
Your pup will need a collar and a leash. With a puppy, and even with adjustable collars, you’ll purchase more than one for sizing as they grow. You want it to fit properly so that your furry friend can’t slip out of the collar, but you don’t want it too tight, either (you should be able to slip two fingers under the collar). Get a sturdy leash; a harness collar can be helpful for walks. - Have Play and Chew Toys
Puppies sleep a lot, but when they are awake…look out! Having plenty of toys and chews helps give your pup a great outlet for all of that chewing and playing energy. - A Toybox Keeps it all Contained
We have collected quite a collection of toys. There are so many fun toyboxes that can help keep all of the chaos contained. - Muster Up Your Patience & Have A Plan
The puppy phase is cute AND it is HARD at times. Be patient. Carve out time for walks and training. There are lots of great videos and articles on training. And there are many great dog trainers right in your area if you ask around and search it out. The puppy phase does end (we saw our older dog really calm down at about two years old).
Here Are Some of Our Favorite Puppy Items:
- Nylabone Chew Toys are some of our favorites. Get your Nylabone Puppy Chew Toy Pack HERE!
- iCrate Dog Crates are Great. Click here to get yours.
- Ceramic Food and Water bowls are functional and look nice. FOOD BOWL – CLICK HERE. WATER BOWL – CLICK HERE.
- HERE is a great dog bed (and it’s washable).
- Martingale collars and leashes are preferred by experts.
- Puppy Pads are a MUST!
- Foldable Puppy Pen is such a help when you need to keep puppy out of trouble, but get things done.
- Training bites are great to keep around for training your pup.
- You are going to need POOP BAGS.
- If you have a puppy chow hound, like me, this SLOW FEEDER helps slow the pace.
- A Stain and Odor Remover will come in handy with a new pup.
- Snuffle Mats keep puppies busy and satisfies their natural curiosity.
Enjoy your new furry friend! Woof!