5 More Things to Know Before You Get Your Puppy
A couple of years ago, I shared 8 things to know before you get your puppy.
After spending several nights with a young puppy in my Live-In Dog Sitting service, here are 5 more things from the front lines!
Make puppy raising less frustrating by knowing what to expect and how to respond!
#1: Sleep Deprivation
Unfortunately, getting a puppy means you’re going to lose out on some sleep.
Even if your puppy is a rock star and doesn’t need to toilet in the middle of the night, a puppy’s overnight is shorter than an adult’s overnight.
For me, this looks like toileting the puppy right before I want to start winding down, then toileting her again right before I turn out the light.
It also means I have to get up earlier so I’m ready to function earlier.
Instead of getting up at 6:30AM, toileting the dog and then letting him chill while I get ready, I have to get up at 6AM, get myself ready, get the puppy up at 6:30AM and then actively interact with him.
Altering your schedule and having less time to yourself are two of those unavoidable puppy problems.
#2: Human-Initiated Toileting
Potty training is a huge topic for puppy owners. In fact, it’s usually one of the first things I cover when families work with me for puppy training.
My biggest tip for less mess and more potty training success, is this: the human needs to initiate it all.
Do not wait for your puppy to indicate she needs to go. Waiting = accidents.
Instead, you keep track of time and you tell your puppy when it’s time to go.
This isn’t about being a power-hungry dictator. It’s about knowing when your puppy needs to go and making sure she’s in the right place at the right time.
The stopwatch function on my phone is a must for keeping track of the time when all those potty breaks start running together.
#3: Human-Initiated Naps
Biting is the other big topic for puppy owners. Although there isn’t just one magic wand for keeping those puppy teeth off your skin and clothes, sleep is the surprising ingredient that makes a huge difference for puppy biting.
Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep per day, and most of them will not give enough given the choice.
Instead of waiting for puppy to crash (behaviorally and physically), the humans needs to initiate nap time just like we initiate potty breaks.
Most often, this means putting the puppy in a crate, in a quiet area, so she can realize she’s actually tired. It may also mean sitting with your puppy until she’s falling asleep.
#4: Already Have a Dog?
Facilitate a better relationship between your puppy and adult dog by planning for time apart.
A lot of adult dogs don’t care for puppies. And a lot of puppies don’t have good social skills.
Save yourself and your adult dog the headache and plan for a gated community approach to life in your home for at least the first several months.
Your adult dog and your puppy don’t have to be physically separated ALL the time, but believe me: there will be times you and your adult dog need a break.
Assume your puppy won’t understand the concept of a break, and get yourself some baby gate(s) and/or exercise pen(s) to make sure they happen!
Tap here to read more about introducing a puppy to an adult dog.
#5: Socialization — Exposure Over Interaction
Socialization teaches your puppy to be comfortable enough in the world to listen to you.
Puppy socialization is important! But it has to be the right kind. Socialization is not primarily about playing with a bunch of other dogs, or meeting a lot of people.
Instead, focus on exposure that forms positive associations and the behaviors you want to see long-term.
