Reply to What do you wish you knew before getting a puppy?

Forum Index » Pets

Reply to "What do you wish you knew before getting a puppy?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Be prepared for the [u]stages[/u] of puppyhood.

[b]Very young puppies[/b] (0-3 months): no awareness of body signals, need[u] a lot[/u] of cuddling and reassurance, teething like crazy, struggle with even a split second left alone, need constant naps, need a lot of socialization

[b]Young puppies[/b] (3-6 months): adult teeth coming in so they still bite and eat everything, need a lot of training, still have accidents in the house occasionally, need constant exercise and mental stimulation, need set routine with lots of naps, need a lot of,socialization

[b]Adolescent puppies[/b] (6-18 months): some regression in listening skills, lots of testing limits, still chewing everything, need set routine with structured nap times, need constant exercise and mental stimulation, require[u] a lot[/u] of patience because they're testing limits so often, should have very few potty accidents anymore, often go through a very cuddly stage again, need a lot of socialization

[b][u]Other advice[/b][/u]: 
1. Have a lot of different types of toys (soft toys, balls, bones, puzzles, etc.), and [u]rotate[/u] them so your puppy is never bored.

2. Only use a bowl for water. For food, feed your puppy from toys (treat-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, or puzzle feeders) that will slow down the eating, but will also provide mental stimulation.

3. Set a routine so the puppy knows exactly what to expect. Naps at the same time of day, feed at the same time of day, playtime and walks at the same time, etc.

4. Crate train. Don't ever use the crate as punishment. It should be the dog's safe spot.

5. Invest in baby gates to keep the puppy contained to certain areas at a time.

6. Have the entire family go to training and to commit to consistency with the puppy.

7. Use a recovery suit after spaying or neutering. It's superior to a plastic, soft, or inflatable ecollar.

8. [b]Enjoy[/b]! Having a puppy is exhausting, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Cuddle that baby. Enjoy his/her milestones. Relish in taking naps together. Have fun!

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics