You had the best of intentions when you picked out your puppy. How cute, and what could possibly go wrong? Well, where do we begin? Lack of sleep, visits to the backyard at 2 AM, bleeding hands and ankles, young kids being ambushed, the baseboard with teeth marks, the list goes on and on. I have had clients over the years tell me they considered sending the puppy back. In some cases, with considerate thought, that is the right thing to do. In more cases, the fatigue has set in and it’s hard to think straight. But with the right support via a positive trainer and a plan, you can get to the point where you won’t even remember those puppy days.
Routine for Basic Needs
Dogs thrive on routine.
A dog doesn’t have as much agency as the average human does, so your dog knowing when to expect meals, playtime, walks, and everything in between is important for him in getting his basic needs met.
Rest
One important part of this routine is rest. A puppy who does not get enough uninterrupted rest will become like an overtired child. Jumping, chewing, and nipping will increase. So, having your puppy on a consistent nap schedule throughout the day is crucial. If they are interrupted by people coming and going, have them nap in their crate. A cover, white noise, and a location such as the bedroom or mudroom can help.
Food
Too much or too little food can affect behavior, so communicate with your vet as to the type and amount of food. Free feeding is generally not recommended, as it makes training more challenging.
Management
Management can help set expectations and keep everyone safe. Many clients tell me they wish the puppy would just quietly sit with the family. Whoa! You wouldn’t put your infant on the trampoline with your older kids (right?!), so why do you expect your puppy to quietly hang out at this stage?
Gates and pens
These types of equipment can be helpful when humans and/or the puppy need their space. Maybe things are starting to escalate, or everyone has just enjoyed some play time together and it’s time for some quiet. Having your pup hang out here with a nice Kong can give everyone a much-needed break.
Enrichment
Making sure that your dog’s overall life is balanced is crucial to their development and should be reassessed and updated throughout their entire life. Enrichment includes everything already mentioned, in addition to mental and physical stimulation, socialization, agency, safety, confidence, and more. Let’s discuss a few of these.
Mental and physical stimulation
Physical exercise is important, whether it be activities such as walks, fetch, or tug. Mental is even more important. Think Kongs, Toppls, snuffle mats, and training. For more ideas, see my blog on Indoor Winter Activities.
Socialization
Small bouts of positive interaction with people, dogs, places, and objects will help your pup interact with the world and develop confidence. It will also provide more stimulation and naturally tire them out. This in turn will support calmer behavior at home.
Agency
Dogs don’t have the choice and control like others in the family, so being mindful of your dog’s like and dislikes and being their advocate can be very effective in raising a confident dog. Providing the types of experiences they thrive in and knowing what to avoid is a crucial part of this process. It will also strengthen the bond with your pup.
Safety
Related to the topic of agency is the topic of safety. For example, educating children about when and how to interact with your pup is crucial. Teaching them that there is an imaginary line around the puppy and leaving puppy alone when resting is important. Being cognizant of how everyone else’s behavior may be affecting the pup’s behavior should be part of the focus: think nipping being brought on by too much human handling. Likewise, there are times when a pup should be on the other side of a gate so that a younger child can play without being ambushed.
Confidence
Setting expectations will help your dog understand them and will lead to greater confidence. Training will also help your dog’s confidence – the more he makes better choices and is rewarded for those choices, the better he will feel. This certainly takes time, but with consistent steps the payoff will be great.
Puppyhood is exhausting for everyone involved. But, with a plan of action and support there is light at the end of the tunnel. Remember to celebrate the small wins. Work with a positive trainer and reach out to other new puppy owners. You can confide in one another while your pup has a play date!