A New Puppy Dog in the House - Make it Easy

"Mommy! Can I have a puppy?"  Most parents at some point hear that question from their children. Some parents jump on the idea to teach their children responsibility. After doing research and meeting a number of dogs, your family makes the decision to bring home a new puppy or dog. New puppies and dogs are very cute and lovable but if you don't start out right, the dog owner experience can turn into a nightmare very quickly as the dog starts to grow up. Here is some advice and things you will need to make sure you start off on the right foot with a new dog so you and your family can have a long and happy relationship.

New surroundings for a dog can be overwhelming. It is a good idea to place a new dog in a kennel to relieve anxiety… and also prevent some unexpected messes.

Kennels can help potty-train a puppy faster. Animals will make every effort not to "go" in the area where they sleep. It is important to purchase a kennel that is just big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. If you have a large breed dog and want to save some money, it is OK to purchase a larger kennel and place a large box toward the back to limit their space. A kennel too large may allow them to "go" in one area since they can sleep in another. Remember to take your new puppy out every 2-3 hours to relieve themselves… out of the cage and straight out the door.

Older pets with new surroundings will also benefit from a kennel. A new house with strange sounds every direction and freedom to explore every one of them will send a dog into an anxious frenzy causing them to bark or whine and even be destructive. So when you need to leave or it’s time to sleep, KENNEL THEM. It will give your new pet a chance to become familiar with the new surroundings without the anxiety. Eventually, they will seek shelter in this space on their own.

Don’t forget a nice, soft WASHABLE blanket for the kennel.

Meal time is important to all pets not only for nourishment but to establish who is the BOSS! Feeding dishes should be easy to clean and the right size for the size meal your dog will be eating. It is tempting to fill a bowl, so to prevent our new friend from being overweight, get a bowl close to their serving size. Bigger dogs may need a bowl that won’t slip around but I have seen some little ones that are ravenous, messy eatersl. Water needs to be provided 24/7 for your dog. Heavy bowls can help prevent water from spilling and a waterproof mat will help too. If you leave your dog alone for long periods of time, it may be useful to have a self-filling bowl. Remember though, they need to go out at some point.

Retractable leashes are the trend but aren’t good for training purposes. A dog should walk at your side, slightly behind you. To achieve this, a good leash you can tug on is appropriate… they are also cheaper and washable. So save the retractable leashes for when it is their time to sniff around and do their "business" but the regular leashes should be used to get them to that destination. Collars come in many styles each with different purposes. A young puppy should not wear a collar but a harness instead until its neck muscles develop so they can't pull hard enough to hurt themselves.

All dogs like to run and play and CHEW, especially puppies. If you don’t want your stuff chewed on or ripped apart make sure they have things they know they can chew and throw around.

These suggestions are just a start to having a wonderful, long, and happy relationship with your pet. 

Enjoy your new doggie!

And that’s Just About It!