A puppy playing in a mud hole

Advice For The Novice Puppy Owner

Having a puppy is a lot of fun, but they can certainly test your nerves. If you are a novice puppy owner, the amount of work involved and patience needed might just come as a surprise.

If you are having a hard time dealing with your new puppy, we can help. Take a look at 12 simple but very important tips on dealing with that new pup of yours.

  1. Understand what you are dealing with.
    That puppy of yours is a little kid that is on the developmental level with a human toddler. You would not expect a toddler to do everything perfect, so how can you expect a puppy to be perfect?
  2. You need to limit their range.
    Your home is a huge new universe that your puppy will be more than willing to explore. It is likely to much for them at the moment however and their territory should be limited at first. Close doors and put up baby gates to keep your pup contained.
  3. Use a 6 foot leash.
    While you are training your dog, use a fixed length leash. It will give you better control and will not encourage them to pull.
  4. Correct bad behavior.
    Whenever your puppy does something wrong, do not just say “no”. You need to also show them the correct behavior. if they chew on a shoe, replace it with a toy. If they potty on the rug, place them out on the grass. This is the only way that they will learn the proper way.
  5. Don’t allow cute bad habits.
    Jumping up on you and guest might seem cut now, but imagine your puppy as an adult. A cute little problem for a 10 pound puppy is a huge ordeal when they turn into a 70 pound German Shepherd.
  6. Take them to school.
    Can you train your pet at home? Absolutely, but unless you yourself are a professional, you will likely benefit greatly from a few training classes. It can dramatically reduce the learning curve for your new puppy.
  7. Use a clicker system.
    A clicker is a noise making tool that is great for training. This is because it makes the same noise every time. Click, give a treat and your puppy recognizes that they have done good. Our voices change all the time and are not as recognizable.
  8. Exercise them.
    A tired puppy is less likely to get into trouble. Make sure that your puppy gets enough but not too much exercise. Keep in mind that brachycephalic  dogs like French Bulldog puppies can not handle as much exercise.
  9. Invest in a harness.
    A good harness is far superior to the basic collar. It will likely be more comfortable for your pet and is much more difficult to slip out of. If you have problems with pulling, get a harness with a front connection, it will turn the dog when they pull.
  10. Join a group.
    If you went to the expense of getting a pure bred puppy, join a local group for your breed. You get to enjoy the company of fellow enthusiasts and perhaps learn more about the breed.
  11. Teach them to potty on a leash.
    You might have a yard, but there will be situations where your puppy will need to go potty on a leash. Have take them to a vet or travel with them and you will be glad you taught them this skill.
  12. Follow through with vaccinations.
    The first year shots for a puppy are extremely important. Make sure that you get all three rounds of shots and keep them away from other dogs until they

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