Below are some basic tips to get you started.
Check with your vet if you have any concerns.
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Lots of information can be found on line and some books carry good
tips and ideas.
Please remember that the more time you put into training your dog
and learning to understand him while he is young will pay
of in the future.
Follow the basic needs
of shelter, exercise, mental stimulation – toys and lots of good
food, water and time with you.
Good luck.
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Below is
a list of basic puppy needs. Remember that these are
just the basics, and that you can buy more than what I
have listed.
è Canned and dry food
(You can wean your pup off of canned food after a few
months.)
è Feeding and water bowls
(Stainless steel is suggested for indoors, outdoors use
ceramic so as to help keep the water cool and the puppy
can’t chew the plastic bowel.)
è
Carrying/ sleeping crate
(Try to purchase one that is laminated in latex)
è
Bed
è
Collar and leash
è
Grooming supplies
(brushes, shampoo, etc)
è
Flea collar and preparations
è
Safe chew products
(Nylabone, Gumabone)
è
Edible chew products
(treats and rewards)
Outdoor
dogs need to have a fresh supply of water at all times. A warm
place in winter and a cool place in summer.
A dog house with ventilation is a good idea, face the
house so that the dog can see the door you normally use
to come see him – this way the dog can stay in a
sheltered area while waiting for you. This is especially
important if your dog looks forward to seeing you and he
will at this age!
These are really the basics needed for a puppy's first
weeks at home.
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The First Night
Chances are good that the first night your puppy is
in his new home, both of you will get little sleep. You can hardly
blame your puppy for having difficulty sleeping. Dogs are creatures
of habit and routine. Your puppy will miss his littermates and will
feel uncomfortable in his new surroundings until he forms a bond
with you. Like a young child, your puppy has little control over his
emotions and even though he may cry, scolding him will do nothing
but cause him to fear you. If your puppy cries for you to come to
him for the first few nights, your constant appearance, whether to
comfort or scold, will only serve to reinforce the fact that he can
make you appear with his cries.
It is important that your
pup has a safe place to sleep, free from drafts and harm. Many
owners have their puppy asleep in an exercise pen, and although this
can be a good choice, many puppies settle down quicker and sleep
more soundly when they are snug and warm in a crate. Place an old
teddy bear in with the dog to simulate its littermates. Once your
pup is older, out of the chewing stage, and completely
housebroken, chances are that he will rarely use a crate except to
travel.
If you can't bear to hear your
puppy cry throughout the night, you might want to take the soft hearted approach and place his crate next to your bed. There, he
will know that you are near, and you can place your fingers into the
crate and soothe him if he whines during the night. Most puppies
will quickly go to sleep; however, some determined pups might refuse
to settle down. If you become very irritated with your pup, place
the crate in a separate room in your home and leave the puppy there
for the night with a small amount of food and a little water.
Never hit your puppy for crying
Here are a few puppy care tips
that may help your puppy feel more comfortable during his first
night. You can also leave a dim night-light on so the pup can
see his bowl if he becomes hungry or thirsty. (Be sure not to leave
too much food or water overnight, or the pup will probably awake
because he has to potty.)
If your pup is having trouble
sleeping soundly in his crate, place a sheet over the front door of
the crate. Leave the side air holes uncovered. The pup will soon
learn that when the door is covered, it is time to sleep for the
night. It is easier to train a young pup, than to retrain a
grown adult dog.
Protecting Your Puppy
Puppies will get into as
much mischief as you allow. They are inherently curious and
extremely determined once they have put their mind to something.
Your puppy will need a safe place of his own to explore and play
during the day when he is not with you. This area should be in a
location that is near you so the puppy can observe the household
activities going on around him. Easy-to-clean flooring such as vinyl
or ceramic tile is a must until he is fully housebroken.
Just as a human child will pick up objects and put them in
his mouth, so will a puppy. Be sure that any item that is small
enough to choke on, or can be chewed into smaller pieces and
swallowed, is out of the puppy's reach. Electrical wires, curtain
cords and poisonous houseplants are tempting to little puppies as
well. Watch your pup carefully - he's depending on you!
When your pup is outside, he will
need a securely fenced yard, shade, and ample water. Never leave
your pup alone outside for long periods of time. He may become too
hot or cold, or he may find a way to escape out of the yard. He will
also learn bad habits such as barking and digging, and will become
lonely and more difficult to train. Your puppy wants to be a member
of your family, and the more time you spend with him, the quicker he
will become trained. Responsible puppy care begins with you!
There are many methods to housebreak your dog. Keep
in mind that puppies are unable to fully control their bowels until
they are a few months old. You will have some success with
housebreaking during the early months; however, you should expect a
few accidents. To avoid difficult clean-ups, keep puppies supervised
at all times until you are certain that your dog is housebroken.
Once you allow your pup to urinate in the house, he is likely to
return to the same spot the next time he has to relieve himself.
Always let your puppy outside to potty just before
you retire for the night. Likewise, as soon as your puppy wakes up
in the morning, the first thing that he will need to do is relieve
himself. You should waste no time in taking him outside as soon as
he awakes. When your puppy hears you get up in the morning, it will
be his signal to wake, so attend to him before going about your
morning routine. Some pups may cry that they need to go outside at
the first sign of light, and if you want a dry floor, it is usually
necessary to immediately respond to their needs.
Puppies will also have to relieve themselves shortly
after a meal, and they will need to urinate more often during the
summer when their water intake is higher. As soon as your pup
finishes his dinner, place him outside for several minutes until he
potties. At other times, you may notice your puppy sniffing the
floor for a suitable place to relieve himself. He may whimper or
start to squat. Scoop him up immediately and place him
outside.
If your puppy sleeps in his crate, it might
facilitate housebreaking. Dogs dislike sleeping in a soiled area,
and your pup will soon learn to wait until you let him out of his
crate to do his business. Of course, it may take a few months before
your puppy is able to hold his bowels all night. As he gets older,
he will have fewer and fewer accidents. Expect this, and never scold
him for accidentally soiling his area at night.
If
your puppy does have an accident during the day, only scold him if
you catch him in the act. If you scold him even a minute or two
after he has pottied, it will confuse him because he will not know
why he is being scolded. If, however, you catch him in the act of
relieving himself in the house, pick him up and say "No" in a firm
voice. Do not yell at the puppy. Immediately take him to the outside
area where you want him too potty. Never rub his nose in the mess or
hit him; this will cause him to fear you and will make future
obedience training more difficult. Be sure to clean the soiled area
with a product intended for housebreaking accidents. It should be
formulated to remove both the stain and the odour so your puppy will
not be tempted to soil the same spot.
Remember, you are the greatest aid to your puppy's
housebreaking success. Be consistent and available to his needs.
With your consistency, soon your pup will become completely trained.
Those
Problem Puppies And Their Trainers
When your pup says, "I am NOT going to go potty now!"
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Be very patient. Do not let the puppy talk you into playing.
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Try to go to the same area, leave a scent pad for reminder.
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Be very quiet. DO NOT distract the puppy from purpose.
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Confine the puppy in small area until outside success is
achieved.
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Use another dog to prompt puppy. Remember no playing.
But I want to eat my faeces!
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Brought on by example, influenced by the desire to be clean.
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Usually occurs when pup has been bored, alone, or confined.
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Use
a product called Forbid.
Diarrhoea causes difficulty in housebreaking!
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Remember when you couldn’t hold it?
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Try to be patient as loose bowels create the need to go often.
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Could be caused by worms (even microscopic).
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Have your veterinarian de-worm or use an over-the-counter
wormer, following directions carefully.
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Could even be caused by the great food you eat and share.
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Ask your vet about dosage before treating with Pepto Bimsol,
Imodium AD or other binder.
