She writes frequently about pets and pet health in her home office, where she is assisted by a lapful of furbabies. Sit on the floor with your puppy and simply observe it while it explores, making sure it is out of harm's way at all times. They can even start to give you tips on preparing you as you go through the adolescent period, which can be a challenging time for pet parents as pups grow into sexual maturity. If it does its business, be sure to reward it immediately with verbal praise, a small treat, and some petting. Make it comfortable by lining it with blankets or a dog bed, but make sure it's large enough that he'll have plenty of room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. What we expect from an 8 week old puppy. In order for him to grow up into a well-adjusted dog, he needs to be exposed to as many new people, places, experiences and situations as possible. Attach the leash to your puppy's collar and let it drag the leash around behind it while it sniffs out its new territory. What can you expect in the first week? Breech pups, or those coming feet-first, will need assistance if their position does not change. Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, has worked with a variety of animals for over 15 years, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals. So you’ve decided that it’s time to get a puppy. “If the puppy isn’t doing what you want, it’s because the puppy doesn’t understand. It wiped her out! Read on for all the help you need to enter new puppy parenthood and raise an awesome dog. You may have read some of the books and browsed a few of the websites. By Sarah Hodgson . If you become frustrated with your new pet, it's important to remember that the task of raising a puppy is temporary. When it comes to both house training and establishing the rules of appropriate conduct, it's important to be patient with your pup and use positive reinforcement to build happy associations with correct behavior. Sit on the floor with your puppy and simply observe it while it explores, making sure it is out of harm's way at all times. 2 week old puppies will often have their eyes fully open, or at least partly open. or you might have fallen in love with an unsuspecting stray pup who is suddenly joining your household. These will not only help your new puppy feel calm and relaxed in its new home but they will also help your other dogs be less anxious when the new family member arrives. Here are some helpful tips to get through the puppy development stage and ensure your new four-legged baby grows up into a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog. If you are planning on bringing a new puppy into your home, then you should take some time to prepare for the puppy’s arrival. DePaul University. This will allow a more gradual change for the household to adapt to. It’s easy to become frustrated when your puppy does something wrong, but remember it’s still learning. Learn more about the benefits and things to consider when it comes to adopting a large or giant breed dog. So the best way to set the puppy up for success is, if you know the puppy is going to bite you, play with something else, not with your hand.” 3. Use this growth timeline to learn which stage of development he's in. She also breeds award winning Labrador Retrievers under the Fallriver prefix. Dog pheromones can be diffused prior to the arrival of your new puppy. If you've never had a puppy before, the task before you can seem quite daunting, and once those big puppy eyes capture your heart, there's no turning back. Either your vet or the veterinary assistant can also advise you on aspects of puppy care such as tooth brushing and nail trimming, and can even show you how it's properly done. Promotes healthy brain, eye, muscle & immune system development. These are typically monthly medications but ask your veterinarian for their recommendation. If … If you're getting a puppy, remember that he'll only be a puppy for a few months, but he'll be a dog for up to 20 years. Let your puppy spend a short amount of time in his crate. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Many owners begin to notice their puppy's destructiveness by the time he is four to five months old, when the pup is characteristically relegated outdoors. The good news is that puppies sleep a lot, although they don't always sleep through the night, and your pup may wake the household whining and barking to express his displeasure at being left alone. Raising a puppy can be among the most rewarding experiences of your life, but it can also be a challenge at times… especially during the first year. This will allow you to let him out to do his business frequently, as well as monitor behaviors that he might try to engage in when you're away from the home. Sometimes they do, mostly they are just being polite. Raising a puppy takes work and often a lot of patience, but in the end it’s 100% worth it. Attach the leash to your puppy's collar and let it drag the leash around behind it while it sniffs out its new territory. Zoey would sleep for 3 hours after a 30 minute session with her trainer. Purchase a brush that is appropriate for your new puppy's specific type of fur. So at that point, punishing the puppy might promote some anxiety and stress for the puppy. Puppies are also driven to chew a lot as their adult teeth come in, and may see the doggie version of a teething ring in the living room rug, the couch, your favorite pair of shoes and even your hand. Continue to praise it when it does the right thing or deter it from doing the wrong thing by distracting it with a toy. Games like fetch, tug-of-war and hide-and-seek are all games that can be played within the home to help release pent up energy he might have gotten from being home alone all day. Cookie Consent Tool, Dominican Republic - República Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR – (English). If you just got a puppy or are getting ready to go pick up your little bundle of joy, you need to be prepared for the new responsibility that is another life. On November 3, 2018, I spent nearly two and a half hours in the car on the way to a Starbucks in Indiana so that I could pick up my brand new pup. Find a reputable breeder if you want a puppy. Your new puppy should have been to the vet at least once for vaccinations but depending on the age of your puppy, multiple future visits may be necessary to complete its vaccinations. Grooming includes trimmings, brushing his coat, his teeth, trimming his nails and bathing him. This area will serve as home base, a safe space from which he can slowly be introduced to the other members of your household and that provides a retreat when he becomes overwhelmed or needs a time out. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. You may have even seen some dog training video tutorials, but what you’d like is to prepare yourself mentally so you can feel more confident in knowing exactly what to expect when you bring home that puppy, and how to deal with it. If you're forgoing a crate, prepare a small area, such as a powder room or a corner of a kitchen or laundry room, where he can be confined and kept away from other pets and small children. He'll be all grown up by his first birthday, and he'll leave most of his puppy tendencies behind as he settles into adulthood. It will probably be pushing the limits and chewing things it shouldn't be chewing, barking, playing, and having potty accidents in the house. If you have a dog that you need to introduce to your puppy, consider allowing the dogs to meet in neutral territory, such as someone else's front yard. If you don't already have an established vet, ask around. After a week or so, your puppy will be comfortable in its new home. Destruction is the product of a puppy's boredom, lack of supervision, and a search for entertainment. Puppies have different nutrient and energy requirements than adult dogs. If you don't have other dogs, let your puppy safely explore your home. At his first appointment, your vet will check your puppy for any health problems or parasites, and will likely recommend a program for controlling parasites, such as fleas, ticks and heartworms. Proper socialization is a key element of successfully raising a puppy. Your puppy is not dominant. Not only will this help keep him safe, it will also ease your anxiety that your new pup is lost. Just like children, growing up is a gradual process. When he engages in negative behavior try and direct him back to something positive. This is where you come in. We encourage you to look at dogs of any age, and this guide will be helpful regardless if it’s a puppy or an older dog! How to begin to teach your puppy to settle into your home. You can help tempt him to go in by throwing in a toy or a couple of pieces of food. Gina Brennan. Keep a close eye … It's a good idea to crawl through your home to get a puppy's-eye view of his surroundings. As he starts to get more comfortable, this process will become easier. Look for a high quality puppy food that is specially formulated to support puppy development and growth. How to Raise a Puppy: What to Expect in the First Year... TailSmart.com HOW TORAISE A PUPPY WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FIRST YEAR. Some big changes have taken place during the last week of puppy development stages. 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