My top tips for puppies!
This list is in no way ‘complete’ but will hopefully serve as a good guide to get any new puppy owner started.
Your shopping list!
Before you bring a new puppy home even, there are a few things that you will benefit from buying in advance. Some of the basics are: A crate, crate bedding, bowls for food and water, a variety of toys, some natural puppy chews, kongs, lickmats and a lead and harness /collar.
Food!
Check with the breeder what they’re feeding the puppy and make sure to follow exactly what they have been doing, at least for the first couple of weeks. Sudden changes in food upsets puppy’s stomachs so we want to keep this as consistent as possible. Ultimately once the puppy is settled I would check the ingredients list of their current food and get them on something as natural as possible!
More food!
Its key to make sure you’re equipped with training treats and chews. Most companies will sell chews that are specifically for puppies, but do try and get things that are as natural as possible. Some great puppy chews are hairy rabbit ears, lambs tails and fish bites! For treats, look for ones that have a very low number of ingredients, and no nasty fillers such as cereals.
Flea and tic medication.
It is especially important when puppies are young and at their most vulnerable to keep up with their parasite prevention treatment! Using a safe, effective flea and worm treatment like Flerm will ensure your puppy stays parasite free.
Training.
I know I’m biased here but I cannot overstate the importance of starting them young! My best clients are all in touch with me BEFORE even bringing their new puppies home. Puppy training is crucial to getting a good crate and toilet training routine underway from day 1!
Education.
Did you know that a young puppy should be sleeping for about 20 hours in a 24 hour period? In this early stage of development, sleep is key to allowing the brain to consolidate information and grow. Most puppies I meet are not getting nearly enough sleep and this can lead to issues such as hyperactivity and excessive play biting. It’s important to educate yourself on things such as this so that you can avoid running into too many issues!
Bedding!
Finding a bed that your dog is super comfortable with is key to an effective crate training plan. You need bedding that is comfortable to help settle your puppy down for the night. Personally, I try to only buy bedding now that is made from recycled fibres, or is generally more carbon neutral! Conventional bedding you can find in pet shops is often full of plastic and things that I don’t want my puppy chewing.
Consistency.
Make sure that everyone in the puppy’s life has the same goals and standards as you. Prior to even bringing the puppy home everyone should have a clear idea of what the ‘rules’ are. With my clients I like to make a list with them that we stick on the fridge. Things as simple as ‘the puppy is not allowed to go upstairs’ can go a huge way in providing a consistent stable environment for your new best friend.
Markers.
By far the most important word your dog will ever learn is their reinforcement marker. This is the word that precedes a treat, and most of us will naturally use ‘good boy’ or ‘good girl’. I like to use the word ‘yes’ as its clear and not something other people will naturally find themselves saying to my dog outside of the context of training! To charge your marker (make it mean something to the dog), simply sit down with their bowl of food and say ‘yes’ then hand them one piece of food. You should repeat this over and over again until the puppy comes running when they hear the word ‘yes’!
Bringing a new puppy home can be the most exciting thing in the world. It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of this momentous occasion that the basics such as crate training and putting a routine in place get forgotten! Hopefully this list serves as a rough guide to keep you on track.
About the author:
Annie-Mae Levy
Dog Behaviourist & Trainer
Canine Nutritionist
www.ani-mal.co.uk
annie@ani-mal.co.uk
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